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2017 USL Preview: Bethlehem Steel FC

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 03/17/17, 1:31PM EDT

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Bethlehem shooting higher after just missing postseason in first year


Photo courtesy Bethlehem Steel FC

Bethlehem Steel FC had a respectable inaugural season in the USL, but faded late as the playoff race heated up to go winless in its final 12 games. That put Bethlehem in 11th place in the Eastern Conference. A number of key players have returned, including forward Cory Burke, who has added international experience with Jamaica over the offseason, while the club’s young standouts will have a chance to learn from their first professional experiences and aim higher to follow in the footsteps of new Union starter Derrick Jones. 

Head Coach: Brendan Burke
Stadium: Goodman Stadium
2016 results: 6-14-10, 28pts
2016 postseason: N/A

Goalkeeper: Matthew Perrella is the lone holdover from the goalkeeping corps from a season ago after making four appearances late in the 2016 season. He is likely to be joined by 2017 MLS SuperDraft selection Jake McGuire, who signed with the Union after being signed off waivers after being selected by the Houston Dynamo. A former member of the Portland Timbers U-23s, McGuire had a solid career at the University of Tulsa as he enters his first professional season.

Defense: Steel FC made a big offseason addition with the arrival of 2016 USL All-League First Team selection Hugh Roberts from the Richmond Kickers. One of two players to play every minute of the regular season in 2016, Roberts’ consistency at the center of defense should be a boost to Steel FC, which could also call on U.S. U20 international Auston Trusty again on loan from the Union to help form a strong central tandem. Youngsters Matthew Real and Mark McKenzie will also likely get chances to impress, while 2017 MLS SuperDraft selections Jack Elliott and Aaron Jones have also seen action with the side during the preseason.

Midfield: Veteran James Chambers was one of Steel FC’s leaders in its inaugural season with three goals and four assists, and Bethlehem also saw Joshua Heard return for his second season with the club after scoring two goals in 22 appearances in his first professional season. The likes of Union rookies Marcus Epps and Adam Najem – who was named the PDL’s Creative Player of the Year and the league’s No. 8 prospect for the Michigan Bucks – should also bolster the side, while Eric Ayuk could also see action for a second consecutive year after three goals and one assist in 17 appearances a season ago.

Forward: Steel FC has a variety of options in attack, led by Jamaican international Cory Burke, who had a productive offseason with the Reggae Boyz as he scored his first two international goals to help them qualify for the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Burke is rejoined by Amoy Brown and Seku Conneh, but the side has added some solid options through the 2017 MLS SuperDraft, with former Charlotte Eagles forward Santi Moar – the No. 37 prospect in the PDL a year ago – having a solid preseason, and Chris Nanco also having signed after being selected by the Union in the Third Round.


Photo courtesy Bethlehem Steel FC

Strengths: Bethlehem has shown clear signs of improvement this offseason, and with the likes of Hugh Roberts and James Chambers on board has a good core group to lead what will be again a young squad onto the field. The attacking group led by Cory Burke and potentially the creativity of Adam Najem should also be exciting to watch as it looks to push Steel FC’s attack into greater productivity this year.

Weaknesses: Bethlehem’s young players have talent, but they will also need to find a way to fight through against more experienced opposition, especially as the season wears on. Steel FC’s youth was regularly on display in its inaugural season, as uneven performances led to games where the attack misfired when the defense performed well, and vice-versa. Finding greater consistency from game to game will be crucial to taking the next step in its progression.

Key number: 32 – Steel FC scored only 32 goals in 30 regular-season contests a season ago, including only 14 goals in the second halves of games. Only the Pittsburgh Riverhounds found the net fewer times in the Eastern Conference a season ago.

Noteworthy matchups: Bethlehem’s home opener on April 1 against the Rochester Rhinos will be an excellent test for Head Coach Brendan Burke’s squad. Another game to watch arrives on June 16 when Steel FC visits the New York Red Bulls II for the first meeting of the season between the sides, while the visit of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds to Goodman Stadium on September 24 could be key for two teams aiming to get into the playoff picture at the end of the season.

Coach’s view: “We’ve gotten younger. I think we have a very clear vision of what our mission is from the first team, and we’ve had a lot of kids come through the academy, so it’s an exciting time for the whole club, but for us in particular because we’re the hub for all that activity.” – Bethlehem Steel FC Head Coach Brendan Burke

Current roster (updated: March 15, 2017):
Goalkeepers: Matthew Perrella, Matthew Freese
Defenders: Matt Mahoney, Matthew Real, Charlie Reyman, Hugh Roberts, Mark McKenzie
Midfielders: James Chambers, Joshua Heard, Josue Monge
Forwards: Cory Burke, Amoy Brown, Seku Conneh, Santi Moar, Chris Nanco, Yosef Samuel, Justin McMaster, Issa Rayyan

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