PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (June 15, 2019) – Bethlehem Steel FC continued its unbeaten street against Saint Louis FC tonight, earning a 3-1 win off goals from James Chambers, Faris and Walter Cortés. The club’s three goals tie for the most that Saint Louis FC has given up all year, coming against a defense that had only allowed eight goals through 11 matches.
The first goal for the Steel was a historic one. James Chambers joined current Philadelphia Union forward and Steel alumnus Cory Burke at the top of the team’s all-time scoring list, marking his 15th for the club. Steel forward Faris increased the club’s lead just six minutes later, going left, right, then back to his left before rifling home his fourth goal of 2019 for the club.
Steel FC was reduced to 10 men when Faris was shown a straight red card in the 27th minute. The hosts continued to fight though and Walter Cortes put in a third before halftime with a 37th-minute goal, the first of his Steel FC career.
The second half included a cluster of chances from Saint Louis. The visitors eventually pulled one back in the 85th minute, however the centerback pairing of Ben Ofeimu and Matt Real held firm throughout the entire game. Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Carlos Miguel Coronel put in a shift in goal and finished the night with six saves. The Steel were able to hang on and take all three points after playing with only 10 men for the final 63 minutes of the match.
Bethlehem Steel FC hosts former Union goalkeeper John McCarthy and the Tampa Bay Rowdies next weekend on Saturday, June 22, 2019 at a to-be-determined location. (TBD | ESPN+).
RECAP:
Bethlehem Steel FC 3 – Saint Louis FC 1
McCarthy Stadium (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Saturday, June 15, 2019
TODAY’S MATCH INFO:
Venue: McCarthy Stadium, Philadelphia, Pa.
Referee: Luis Guardia
Assistant Referees: Szczepan Dziewa, Tom Felice
Fourth Official: Mark Treilman
Weather: 73 degrees and cloudy
Attendance: 222
GOALS/ASSISTS
BST - James Chambers (Zach Zandi) 19’
BST - Faris (Issa Rayyan) 25’
BST - Walter Cortés (Zach Zandi) 37’
STL - Kadeem Dacres (Unassisted) 85’
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
STL - Bradley Kamden-Fewo (caution) 18’
BST - James Chambers (caution) 26’
BST - Faris (ejection) 27’
BST - Anthony Fontana (caution) 56’
STL - Lewis Hilton (caution) 58’
STL - Oscar Umar (caution) 63’
STL - Kyle Greig (caution) 74’
STL - Caleb Calvert (caution) 74’
STL - Oscar Umar (second caution; ejection) 81’
LINEUP
Bethlehem Steel FC: Carlos Miguel Coronel; Walter Cortés, Matt Real, Ben Ofeimu, Nathan Harriel (Axel Picazo 87’); James Chambers ©, Anthony Fontana, Zach Zandi (Shanyder Borgelin 90+2’), Issa Rayyan; Faris, Michee Ngalina
Substitutes not used: Tomás Romero, Patrick Bohui, Steve Kingue, Selmir Miscic
Saint Louis FC: Jake Fenlason; Matt Bahner (Paris Gee 45’), Sam Fink ©, Phanuel Kavita, Bradley Kamden-Fewo; Austin Martz (Kyle Greig 45’), Oscar Umar, Lewis Hilton, Russell Cicerone; Albert Dikwa (Kadeem Dacres 73’), Caleb Calvert
Substitutes not used: Tomas Gomez; Guy Abend, Sean Reynolds, Nichi Vlastos
TEAM NOTES
Midfielder James Chambers has now scored in consecutive games for the Steel, bringing his season total to two. This also raises his career total to 15, which ties for the team’s all-time scoring record with Philadelphia Union forward Cory Burke.
With two assists in the match midfielder Zach Zandi increased his lead as Steel FC’s assist leader, bringing his total to five on the year.
Midfielder Issa Rayyan put in a shift in the midfield tonight, providing an assist, a game high passing accuracy of 92.3% and a game high five fouls won.
Steel FC defender Walter Cortés notched his first career goal for Steel FC in the match tonight, also earning his first career point for the club.
Philadelphia Union defender Matt Real made a smooth transition after joining the United States Under-20 Men’s National Team for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland, returning to the Steel backline and making 41 total touches and winning two tackles.
Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Carlos Miguel Coronel had a game-high six saves, while facing 16 total shots from Saint Louis FC. This is Coronel’s second-straight match with six saves for the club.
Steel FC forward Faris marked his fourth goal of 2019 in the match tonight and took sole possession as the club’s leading goal scorer this season.
Bethlehem Steel FC hosts the Tampa Bay Rowdies next weekend on Saturday, June 22, 2019 at a to-be-determined location. (TBD | ESPN+).
