PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (June 09, 2019) – Despite team captain James Chambers getting off the mark and the professional debut of Selmir Miscic, Bethlehem Steel FC wasn’t able to fight off Nashville SC, eventually falling 4-1 at McCarthy Stadium.
Things started out on a positive note for the Steel when they earned a free kick from just outside the box. Anthony Fontana stood over it alongside James Chambers and when the whistle blew Fontana faked his shot, which opened the door for Chambers to curl it past the wall and into the back of the net. The goal was Chambers first of 2019 and his 14th all-time for the club.
Nashville got on the board with goals from former Philadelphia Union defender Ken Tribbett in the 27th minute, Ropapa Mensah in the 63rd and Kosuke Kimura in the 70th minute. Cameron Lancaster finished the match off by adding a fourth goal in the 83rd minute. Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Carlos Miguel Coronel made a couple acrobatic saves on his way to 30 total on the year and while trying to keep his team within striking distance. In the end, the ball just didn’t bounce the Steel’s way and Nashville’s attack capitalized on it.
Tonight’s match saw the debuts of Steel FC midfielder Selmir Miscic, who came on as a substitute in the second half, and Philadelphia Union Academy midfielder Axel Picazo who earned his first start for the Steel in his debut.
Bethlehem Steel FC next hosts Saint Louis FC at McCarthy Stadium on Saturday, June 15 (8:00 p.m. ET | McCarthy Stadium | Philadelphia, Pa. | ESPN+).
RECAP:
Bethlehem Steel FC 1 – Nashville SC 4
McCarthy Stadium (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Sunday, June 09, 2019
TODAY’S MATCH INFO:
Venue: McCarthy Stadium (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Referee: Thomas D. Snyder
Assistant Referees: Patrick Casey, Jeffery Skinker
Fourth Official: Melvin Holmes II
Weather: 80 degrees and clear
Attendance: 417
GOALS/ASSISTS
BST - James Chambers (Unassisted) 24’
NSH - Ken Tribbett (Lebo Moloto) 27’
NSH - Ropapa Mensah (Lebo Moloto) 63’
NSH - Kosuke Kimura (Unassisted) 70’
NSH - Cameron Lancaster (Unassisted) 83’
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
NSH - Bradley Bourgeois (caution) 23’
NSH - Matt LaGrassa (caution) 41’
BST - Walter Cortes (caution) 42’
BST - James Chambers (caution) 49’
NSH - Ropapa Mensah (caution) 80’
LINEUP
Bethlehem Steel FC: Carlos Miguel Coronel; Walter Cortés, Ben Ofeimu, Nathan Harriel, Issa Rayyan; James Chambers ©, Anthony Fontana, Michee Ngalina, Axel Picazo (Selmir Miscic 86’); Faris, Shanyder Borgelin (Zach Zandi 58’)
Substitutes not used: Tomás Romero; Dante Huckaby, JD Wagner
Nashville SC: Connor Sparrow; Kosuke Kimura, Bradley Bourgeois, Ken Tribbett, Justin Davis; Matt Lagrassa (Boluwatife Akinyode 79’), Michael Reed ©, Ropapa Mensah, Lebo Molotto (Kharlton Belmar 78’), Taylor Washington; Daniel Rios (Cameron Lancaster 66’)
Substitutes not used: Matt Pickens; Liam Doyle, Darnell King, Alan Winn
TEAM NOTES
James Chambers scores his 14th all-time goal for Steel FC, while also marking his first goal for the club in 2019. He now ranks second in the club’s modern history, sitting behind only Cory Burke (15 goals) on that list.
Chambers also led the team in total touches with 79 and total passes completed with 60 across all 90 minutes of the match.
Philadelphia Union midfielder Anthony Fontana was a key piece of the Steel midfield today, making a team-high five tackles and posting an 84% passing accuracy.
Midfielder Selmir Miscic made his professional debut in the match tonight, coming on as a second-half substitute.
Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Carlos Miguel Coronel racked up six saves in net for the Steel against Nashville SC, bringing his 2019 total to 30 saves on the year.
Philadelphia Union Academy midfielder Axel Picazo made earned his first Steel FC start tonight against Nashville SC, playing 86 minutes, recording an 84% passing accuracy and winning two fouls.
Bethlehem Steel FC plays next on Saturday, June 15 when the club takes on Saint Louis FC at McCarthy Stadium. (8:00 p.m. ET | McCarthy Stadium | Philadelphia, Pa. | ESPN+).
