FENTON, Mo. (July 27, 2019) – Bethlehem Steel FC played a hard-fought match on the road and had a strong first half against Saint Louis FC, but fell 3-0 in the end at World Wide Technology Soccer Park.
Saint Louis FC saw their offensive production come from midfielder Lewis Hilton and forwards Kyle Greig and Kadeem Dacres. Greig was able to bury a 41st-minute opener just before the half, while Hilton and Dacres struck just after the halftime break in the 48th and 49th minutes respectively. Hilton’s goal was of particular note as he launched a rocket from outside the box that hit the underside of the crossbar on its way into the net.
The Steel faced off against a stout Saint Louis FC defense. Steel FC held 60.1% of the possession at World Wide Technology Soccer Park, had a higher passing accuracy than Saint Louis of 87.7% and put five of its six shots on target. Despite an individual passing accuracy of 94.3% from Philadelphia Union defender Mark McKenzie and four combined shots on frame from team captain James Chambers and Union Academy defender Nathan Harriel, the visitors couldn’t beat Saint Louis’ Tomás Gómez and fell 3-0.
The Steel return home to Talen Energy Stadium on Thursday, August 1 to take on Hartford Athletic (5:00 p.m. ET | Chester, Pa. | ESPN+).
RECAP:
Bethlehem Steel FC 0 – Saint Louis FC 3
World Wide Technology Soccer Park (Fenton, Mo.)
Saturday, July 27, 2019
TODAY’S MATCH INFO:
Venue: World Wide Technology Soccer Park, Fenton, Mo.
Referee: Matthew Thompson
Assistant Referees: Kevin Lock, Matthew Rodman
Fourth Official: Jervis Atagna
Weather: 83 degrees and clear
Attendance: 4,225
GOALS/ASSISTS
STL – Kyle Greig (Mastanabal Kacher) 41’
STL – Lewis Hilton (Kyle Greig) 48’
STL – Kadeem Dacres (Tomás Gómez) 49’
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
STL – Oscar Umar (caution) 28’
BST – Chavany Willis (caution) 56’
BST – Mark McKenzie (caution) 78’
LINEUP
Bethlehem Steel FC: Tomás Romero; Walter Cortés, Mark McKenzie, Ben Ofeimu, Nathan Harriel; James Chambers ©, Cole Turner (Selmir Miscic 72’); Zach Zandi, Chavany Willis (Axel Picazo 56’); Yomi Samuele Scintu (Shanyder Borgelin 53’), Issa Rayyan
Substitutes not used: Lukas Burns; Steve Kingue
Saint Louis FC: Tomás Gómez; Paris Gee, Phanuel Kavita, Sam Fink ©, Matt Bahner; Mastanabal Kacher, Oscar Umar, Lewis Hilton, Collin Fernandez (Nikiphoros Vlastos 75’); Kyle Greig (Caleb Calvert 80’), Kadeem Dacres (Russell Cicerone 55’)
Substitutes not used: Jake Fenlason; Bradley Kamdem Fewo, Sean Reynolds
TEAM NOTES
Steel FC midfielder and team captain James Chambers and Philadelphia Union Academy defender Nathan Harriel lead the squad’s shooting efforts in the match against Saint Louis FC tonight. The pair had a game-high two shots on target each.
Philadelphia Union defender Mark McKenzie was Steel FC’s best passer against Saint Louis FC, putting on display a passing accuracy of 94.3% through 90 minutes.
Bethlehem Steel FC midfielder Chavany Willis made his first start since returning from Jamaica’s Under-23 National Team camp. Willis played 57 minutes, had one shot on target and made a team-high two tackles in his return.
Philadelphia Union Academy goalkeeper Tomás Romero made four saves in tonight’s match, making him the Steel’s leading shot stopper on the year with 38. Romero passed former Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Carlos Miguel Coronel who made 36 saves for Steel FC before his loan was recalled by Red Bull Salzburg.
Selmir Miscic earned his second substitute appearance of 2019 tonight. The Steel FC midfielder came on for Cole Turner in the 72nd minute. Miscic played 18 minutes and made one tackle.
Bethlehem Steel FC comes home next to host Hartford Athletic on Thursday, August 1 at Talen Energy Stadium (5:00 p.m. ET | Talen Energy Stadium | Chester, Pa. | ESPN+).
