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Bethlehem Steals Late Draw Against NYRB II

By CHRIS HOCKMAN - chris.hockman@uslsoccer.com, 06/20/18, 7:15PM EDT

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Dramatic comeback salvages point for Steel FC in 2-2 draw at Goodman Stadium


Photo courtesy Bethlehem Steel FC

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Behind by two goals with three minutes to play all seemed lost for Bethlehem Steel FC but the hosts salvaged a point in a dramatic finish, claiming a 2-2 draw against New York Red Bulls II at Goodman Stadium on Wednesday night. New York took the lead in the 12th minute when NYRB II youngster Ben Mines drew a foul in the penalty area, allowing Stefano Bonomo to step up and send his penalty kick just out of the reach of Steel FC goalkeeper John McCarthy to open the scoring. That penalty saw the visitors push for a second, but after a good period of pressure for New York, Steel FC came more into the match, but the Red Bulls II defense kept the hosts without a shot on target in the first half. In the 39th minute Drew Skundrich should have equalized for Bethlehem when he got on the end of a perfect cross to the penalty spot only to send his header agonizingly wide. In the final minute of the first half New York thought it had a second penalty kick after what appeared to be a handball in the area, but the assistant referee quickly stepped into help reverse the decision as the ball came off the defender's thigh. The Red Bulls II continued to press in the second half, which limited Bethlehem from seeing enough of the ball to have an impact, and as Steel FC pushed for an equalizer late on the visitors took advantage as Bonomo doubled the lead in the 84th minute as he stole possession on the edge of the area and ran through the defense before finishing. The goal appeared to have sealed victory for the visitors, but Bethlehem made it interesting four minutes later as Matt Mahoney headed home from Chris Nanco’s corner. Steel FC then completed its comeback in the fourth minute of stoppage time when Nanco squared a ball from the left to the far post where James Chambers was on home to stab it in from close range.

Scoring
12’ – NY – Stefano Bonomo (Penalty Kick)
84’ – NY – Stefano Bonomo
88’ – BST – Matt Mahoney (Chris Nanco)
90+4’ – BST – James Chambers (Chris Nanco)

Three Things That Matter:

  • 1. Steel FC came into this match on a three-match unbeaten run and thanks to late heroics by Matt Maloney and James Chambers managed to extend that run. Late goals have been something of a habit for Bethlehem this season, with its two goals the club's sixth and seventh goals in the final 15 minutes of a match this season.

  • 2. The Red Bulls II were poised to earn a big leg up on its northeastern rival in the Eastern Conference standings, and while it remained ahead of Bethlehem after conceding the late lead it will feel like a blow to the club's playoff chances in the short run. Bethlehem, meanwhile, remains outside the top eight in the Eastern Conference after picking up a third consecutive draw, but under the circumstances Steel FC will take that on the night.

  • 3. Entering this game winless on the road in 2018 the pressure was starting to build for Red Bulls II to break that run, but just when it seemed that the side had done enough to secure it things went wrong again. In order to make another run in the USL Cup Playoffs, things will have to change soon, but the Red Bulls II will be very happy to be back home on Sunday evening against Ottawa Fury FC.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match:

Chris Nanco, Bethlehem Steel FC — Just when it seemed his team would fall, Nanco weaved his magic, providing two game-saving assists as part of a match where he created three chances thanks to three successful crosses.

Upcoming Games:
Bethlehem Steel FC
vs. Charlotte Independence — June 30, 5 p.m. ET, Goodman Stadium
New York Red Bulls II vs. Ottawa Fury FC — June 24, 5 p.m. ET, MSU Soccer Park

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