BETHLEHEM, Pa. – In the first matchup between 2016 expansion sides this season, FC Cincinnati earned the early bragging rights with a 2-1 victory against Bethlehem Steel FC on Sunday at a windy Goodman Stadium.

Cincinnati (1-1-0, 3 points) scored two first-half goals by Andrew Wiedeman and Sean Okoli and garnered its first win of the campaign. Steel FC (1-1-0, 3 points), owned and operated by Major League Soccer’s Philadelphia Union, dropped its first match of the season after winning its opener on the road at FC Montreal in Week 1.

Eric Ayuk scored in the 90th minute for Bethlehem and Ryan Richter hit the frame in stoppage time as the equalizer just eluded the Steel who made a significant push down the stretch.

There wasn’t a dull moment in the first half as Cincinnati orchestrated some strong pressure in the opening minutes. In the eighth, Jimmy McLaughlin shot right-footed in the box, in search of the left side of the goal. Steel goalkeeper John McCarthy lunged to his right and got a glove on it to keep the match scoreless in the early going.

The Steel found their first strong scoring chance in the 15th minute off the foot of Gabe Gissie from eight yards, but Cincinnati goalkeeper Mitch Hildebrandt denied him with the foot save.

In the 25th minute, Cincinnati finally struck, capitalizing on a poor clearance by the Steel defense. Kenney Walker provided the lead pass to Wiedeman, who took one touch and then snuck the ball past McCarthy at the near right post for a 1-0 Cincinnati advantage.

Bethlehem almost had a quick response in the 28th minute as Leo Fernandes from close range attempted to shoot between Hildebrandt’s legs. The Cincinnati goalkeeper reached down quickly to make the stop.

Cincinnati gave itself a cushion in the 34th minute on one of the stronger offensive sequences of the match, a beautiful combination between Okoli and Wiedeman. Okoli made a nice back heel pass to Wiedeman and made a quick run down the right side, quickly getting the ball back and then shooting right-footed for the goal and a 2-0 lead heading into halftime.

In the second half, Cincinnati dictated the pressure to open things up. Corben Bone provided a good cross from the right in the 56th minute to connect with Walker. Walker headed it toward the far right post but missed just wide right.

The Steel had their second-half opportunities as well, including a James Chambers strike from just outside the box in the 61st minute. Bethlehem regained possession when the Cincinnati defense couldn’t completely clear a cross, but Chambers’ attempt went directly to Hildebrandt for the save.

Bethlehem played through Walter Restrepo on a number of occasions down the left side, but Cincinnati’s defense collectively shut things down to maintain the two-goal advantage.

The Steel played the final 10 minutes down a man when Boluwatife Akinyode picked up his second yellow card after shoving Cincinnati’s Antoine Hoppenot in the face in the 80th minute.

The Steel finally found the scoring column in the 90th minute. Shortly after a corner was played short, the ball was up for grabs in the box and Ayuk’s right-footed half volley found the back of the net to cut the deficit to 2-1.

In stoppage time, Richter’s header at the far left post struck the frame as Bethlehem pushed for the equalizer. However, it was not meant to be as Cincinnati dodged a few moments to pull off the win.

Upcoming Games:

• April 9: Charlotte Independence at FC Cincinnati; Nippert Stadium, 7 p.m. ET

• April 10: Bethlehem Steel FC at New York Red Bulls II; Red Bulla Arena, 7:30 p.m. ET

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match
Andrew Wiedeman, FC Cincinnati – Wiedeman played a role in Cincinnati’s first two goals of the season, scoring the opening tally and then dishing to Sean Okoli for a two-goal lead as Cincinnati earned its first USL victory.