BETHLEHEM, Pa. – A glorious spring day allowed Bethlehem Steel FC to venture outside for the first time in preseason on Wednesday, as the side engaged in a full 11-on-11 scrimmage for the first time in training camp.

After being indoors for the opening week of camp, the additional space in the scrimmage brought new conundrums for Steel FC’s players, and gave Head Coach Brendan Burke and his staff something new to ponder as the build-up to the new USL season continues.

“Days like today, we’re lucky to have such a nice day in February, you get outside and you see those bigger spaces present different issues for us,” said Burke. “It’s good to be able to identify that early in preseason and when we utilize some bigger spaces we’re going to have to address how we manage that space in the flow of the game, and the 10v10 today was able to show us that.”

With the side having welcomed Cory Burke back into the fold after his stint with the Jamaica National Team that faced off with the United States last Friday night, Steel FC’s squad is almost at full strength, with only Santi Moar currently absent as he spends time in the Philadelphia Union’s training camp. 

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For Brendan Burke, the leadership provided by some of his returning roster – led by midfielder James Chambers – has been welcome as the side looks to push its fitness and technical level higher in the club’s second season.

“James always stands out, he’s a cut above,” said Brendan Burke. “He’s a great leader and presence in our group. Seku Conneh has come back determined, Cory Burke’s in very good form because he’s in such good form for Jamaica. Guys are fitter, guys have a better understanding of the system and our expectations now, and I think that goes for the staff too. We’re in a good place right now.”

For Liberian forward Conneh, who found the net in Wednesday’s scrimmage, getting the chance to head outside at least for one day was definitely welcome.

“It’s a good feeling,” said Conneh. “I heard tomorrow we’re going to have snow, so that’s a bad thing, but for now the weather is good, I like it like this.”