CHESTER, Pa. (June 8, 2019) – Bethlehem Steel FC (3-6-4) looks to bounce back against third-ranked Nashville SC (6-3-4) at La Salle University’s McCarthy Stadium this Sunday evening.
Last time out was a rough one for the Steel, falling 4-0 to New York Red Bull II on the road after being hit with the injury bug. Steel FC Head Coach Brendan Burke said after the match that it was “difficult for all of us, but we have to continue to push towards the club’s vision for this group.” It doesn’t get any easier for Burke’s squad with Nashville SC on the horizon.
The Steel could see Nashville’s front line duo of Daniel Ríos and Cameron Lancaster this weekend, both of whom have torn up opposing defenses in USL the past few years. Sunday could also see the potential homecomings of numerous players with ties Steel FC, with the Tennessee club sporting four Steel alumni.
In the midfield former Steel FC midfielder Bolu Akinyode sports the opposing colors. Fans would have seen former Steel midfielder Derrick Jones, but Jones recently suffered an injury in the Tennessee-side's most recent Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup match. Jones was a new arrival to Nashville SC following his trade from the Union to the future MLS club earlier this season.The Nashville defense also sports Taylor Washington and Ken Tribbett who will be looking slow down the Steel FC offense. Should the visitors employ a three back system, Steel FC could find opportunities out wide on the attack.
The two sides have only met twice before, with each taking a win on the road in 2018. Nashville holds a strong lead on goal differential this season, and are strongly situated in the Eastern Conference standings.
Nashville is talented and experienced, so the visitors should prove a good test for the Steel.
Bethlehem Steel FC takes on Nashville SC on Sunday, June 9 at 6:00 p.m. ET. Tickets are available here with the match set to be broadcast on ESPN+. Fans should note that the match has been moved from Talen Energy Stadium to La Salle University’s McCarthy Stadium. More information here.
MATCH INFORMATION
2019 USL Championship Regular Season
Date: June 9, 2019
Kickoff: 6:00 p.m. ET
Location: McCarthy Stadium, Philadelphia, Pa.
Referee: Thomas D. Snyder
Assistant Referees: Patrick Casey, Jeffrey Skinker
Fourth Official: Melvin Holmes II
Bethlehem Steel FC: 3-6-4
Nashville SC: 6-3-4
Match Day Twitter: @BSteelFC
Game Day Hashtag: #BSTvNSH
Match Center: https://bit.ly/2ImLEWI
Watch: ESPN+
