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Steel Savor Environment

By SCOTT KESSLER – USLSoccer.com Contributor, 04/04/16, 9:00AM EDT

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Though on losing end of home opener, Bethlehem garners wealth of support


Photo courtesy of Bethlehem Steel FC

A late, acrobatic flick by Eric Ayuk brought the game within a goal for Bethlehem Steel FC, but the club was unable to bridge the gap against FC Cincinnati, losing 2-1 on Sunday in its first USL home game.

Despite the disappointing result, the Steel were enthusiastic about the strong support of the fans who showed up to the game.

“I thought it was great,” Bethlehem Head Coach Brendan Burke said of the fans who came to the game. “I thought it was excellent. If we get that sort of support going forward we’ll be in good shape and hopefully we get the results that go with that kind of attendance next time.”

Burke’s inexperienced squad was able to get on the scoreboard via a flick by Ayuk, who brought his acrobatic scoring ability from 2015 with him to the Steel. The Cameroonian winger was content with his goal, but not by the final score line.

“I’m so happy to score, but so disappointed in the result of the game,” Ayuk said. “I did not expect a lot of fans. I’m disappointed for them. It was a surprise to see so many fans in Bethlehem. We have to keep working hard for them.”

Cincinnati’s Andrew Wiedeman, who played in Major League Soccer with FC Dallas and Toronto FC, scored the opening goal, then later assisted on his club’s second. The Steel were unable to muster much of a defense in the first half, but came out and dictated much of the flow of the second half of play.
With Ayuk’s goal and Ryan Richter’s stoppage-time header hitting the post, the Steel nearly rallied for a point.

“I was happy with our response,” Burke said. “We dug ourselves a hole today [in the first half]. We found the goal eventually. It came a little late, and then we hit the bar there.”


Photo courtesy of Bethlehem Steel FC

Richter, who returned to the Philadelphia-area soccer scene for the first time since his release from the Philadelphia Union in 2012, was left bloodied and bruised by the play that involved that header. The right back told reporters after the game that he won the ball, but received a kick to the face as reward.

In spite of his pain, Richter displayed a wide smile when he talked about returning to the area and playing in front of its fans.

“It was a really special atmosphere,” Richter said. “It was awesome. I had probably like 30 people from South Hampton out here to watch me. That’s part of the reason I signed here. You can’t beat playing in front of family and friends.”

Fellow Philadelphia local, and teammate, John McCarthy was equally excited by how the fans turned out to the game. The goalkeeper had three saves on five shots in his second game back in the USL, where he was Goalkeeper of the Year in 2014 for the Rochester Rhinos.

“I didn’t think we were going to have nearly as many fans,” McCarthy said. “It was a long way to get here. Seeing that type of crowd and the environment, it was great to play in front of. For 90 minutes they cheered us on. It wasn’t just the supporters section, it was everybody.”

McCarthy also applauded the East End Army, Bethlehem’s official supporters group, for the atmosphere they helped to cultivate.

“The East End was awesome,” McCarthy said. “You can hear them at the far end, you can hear them when you’re next to them. That’s all you can ask for, that they’re chanting for 90 minutes and pushing you to the end of the game. 

“It was tough, it being the first home opener in team history, but the team did well,” McCarthy said. “I think it’s a long season and we’ll do better. It was tough that we couldn’t get the win or tie they wanted.”