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Rhinos Rally to Earn Draw with Steel

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 07/24/16, 6:13PM EDT

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Forbes’ scores equalizer for Rochester in 1-1 draw at Goodman Stadium


Photo courtesy Sideline Photos / Bethlehem Steel FC

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Bethlehem Steel FC and the Rochester Rhinos played to a 1-1 draw on Sunday afternoon at Goodman Stadium as Kenardo Forbes pulled the Rhinos level after Rochester had trailed at the halftime break. The Steel opened brightly, and took the lead in the 20th minute when Derrick Jones drove forward from midfield, and picked out the left corner with a low shot from just outside the penalty area. Bethlehem wasn’t able to add to its lead, but carried the lead until the halftime break as the Rhinos didn’t manage much in attack. That swung around the in the second half as the Rhinos were much more assertive, and just before the hour-mark Kenardo Forbes put home a deflected cross to make it 1-1. Both teams pushed forward to try and find a winner in the final half-hour, but solid defensive work at both ends left the game deadlocked for a second occasion between these teams this season.

Scoring:
20’ – BST – Derrick Jones
57’ – ROC – Kenardo Forbes

Three Things That Matter:

  • 1. The Steel were unusually sluggish in their defeat on Thursday evening against Harrisburg, but had clearly addressed that issue as the appeared much sharper and quicker to the ball against the Rhinos. Cole Missimo almost scored an excellent solo goal with a driving run into the left side of the penalty area in the ninth minute before Derrick Jones’ fourth goal of the season put the Steel on top to reward the side for its good start.

  • 2. The Rhinos really struggled to find a way past the Steel’s defense in the first half, as the side struggled to connect in general and only managed one tame shot late in the first half. Whatever adjustments were made at the halftime break, likely mental as much as tactical, Rochester looked for better in the second half, which led to the equalizer in the 57th minute. Kenardo Forbes’ third goal of the season put his side in position to kick on and take all three points.

  • 3. A draw wasn’t a bad result for either side, but for the Steel it means after taking two consecutive wins to open its six-game home stand at Goodman Stadium, it now has only one point from its past two games as it pursues a place in the playoffs. With two games to go against Toronto FC II and the Charlotte Independence, the next two Sundays will be critical as to whether the expansion side finds itself in the postseason field.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Taylor Washington, Bethlehem Steel FC – The Steel defender rarely put a foot wrong as he made a number of important interceptions and tackles in the second half to help his side come away with a point.

Upcoming Games:

Bethlehem Steel FC vs. Toronto FC II – July 31, 4 p.m. ET, Goodman Stadium

Rochester Rhinos at Harrisburg City Islanders – July 29, 7 p.m. ET, FNB Field

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