WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 3, 2019) – Bethlehem Steel FC saw a player make their mark in the record books in tonight’s match against Loudoun United FC when Michee Ngalina recorded the quickest brace in club history. The Steel added one more to Ngalina’s tally, taking a point from the 3-3 draw.
Steel FC was first to strike in this one off a 31st-minute goal to get things started. Michee Ngalina got on the end of a great leading pass from Zach Zandi, danced his way around the goalkeeper and slotted it home. The lead would increase just one minute later, when Ngalina notched his second of the night off an assist from defender Jamoi Topey. Ngalina’s brace, two goals in two minutes, set the new club mark for quickest brace, with the previous record being Santi Moar’s two goals in three minutes against Toronto FC II in 2017. Loudoun was able to get one back before the end of the first half to make it 2-1.
The second half proved to be just as exciting as the first. The hosts were able to level the score at 2-2 in the 49th minute, grabbing the equalizer straight out of the halftime break. Forward Faris was brought down in the box for a penalty kick, following a series of strong attacks from the Steel. The Cameroonian striker converted the penalty in the 60th minute, giving the visitors the lead once again. Unfortunately for the boys in blue, Loudoun was able to snag a late game-tying goal in the third minute of second-half stoppage time for a 3-3 final score line.
Philadelphia Union players Derrick Jones and Matt Real were the only first-team features in tonight’s match, providing much needed experience and leadership on the road. The pair tied for the team-high mark of most touches in the match with 69 each. Jones made five tackles in the match and made 40 passes, while Real made the most passes of any player on the field for Steel FC tonight with 45 and provided four tackles to the club’s defensive effort.
Despite the late equalizer from Loudoun United, Steel FC found itself hitting milestones. Union Academy goalkeeper Tomás Romero made his first start in the match, while defender Nathan Harriel earned his second. James Chambers and Ben Ofeimu retook their places at the top of the Eastern Conference passing leaderboard with 525 and 515 total passes in 2019 respectively. The match also saw the return of defender Jamoi Topey to the lineup, his first since the match against North Carolina (March 16).
Bethlehem Steel FC next hosts Atlanta United 2 on Sunday, May 12 (6:00 p.m. ET | Talen Energy Stadium | Chester, Pa. | ESPN+).
RECAP:
Bethlehem Steel FC 3 – Loudoun United FC 3
Audi Field (Washington, D.C.)
Friday, May 3, 2019
TODAY’S MATCH INFO:
Venue: Audi Field (Washington, D.C.)
Referee: Mark Allatin
Assistant Referees: Ben Pilgrim, Jeffrey Skinker
Fourth Official: Nickrod Fateh
Weather: 75 degrees and clear
Attendance: 824
GOALS/ASSISTS
BST – Michee Ngalina (Zach Zandi) 31’
LDN – Kyle Murphy (Akeem Ward) 37’
LDN – Kyle Murphy (Connor Presley) 49’
BST – Faris (Penalty Kick) 60’
LDN – Orlando Sinclair (Unassisted) 90+3’
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
LDN – Collin Verfurth (caution) 59’
LINEUP
Bethlehem Steel FC: Tomás Romero; Matt Real, Ben Ofeimu, Jamoi Topey, Nathan Harriel (Walter Cortés 90+2’); James Chambers ©, Derrick Jones; Zach Zandi, Chavany Willis (Cole Turner 81’); Faris (Saed Díaz 87’), Michee Ngalina
Substitutes not used:Kris Shakes; Shanyder Borgelin, Steve Kingue, Yomi Samuele Scintu
Loudoun United FC: Earl Edwards Jr.; Peabo Doue, Harri Hawkins, Collin Verfurth (Milton Campos 85’), Akeem Ward; Andrew Lubahn (Shinya Kadono 75’), Jack Jean-Baptiste, Noah Pilato, Connor Presley (Jack Villatoro 80’); Orlando Sinclair, Kyle Murphy ©
Substitutes not used: Calle Brown; Sandor Bustamante, Brennan Conger, Allexon Saravia
TEAM NOTES
Steel FC midfielder Michee Ngalina scored the quickest brace in club history tonight, scoring two goals in two minutes. The previous mark was held by Santi Moar, scoring two goals in three minutes against Toronto FC II in 2017.
Forward Faris picked up his third goal of the 2019 USL Championship regular season, notching a penalty-kick goal in the 60th minute of the match. Faris’ three goals tie his season best from 2018.
Defender Jamoi Topey provided his first Steel assist in the match against Loudoun United FC. The assist came in Topey’s third all-time start for the club. Midfielder Zach Zandi also assisted on one of Steel FC’s goals in the match, his third in 2019.
After another 90 minutes today, Ben Ofeimu continued his status as the only Steel FC player to play every minute of the 2019 USL Championship regular season. Ofeimu also completed 33 passes today, for a total of 515 on the year and trails only midfielder James Chambers (525) for the conference-high mark.
Philadelphia Union Academy goalkeeper Tomás Romero made his first start of the 2019 USL Championship regular season in goal for the Steel. Romero is the third goalkeeper to start in net for Steel FC this season, joining Philadelphia Union goalkeepers Matt Freese and Carlos Miguel Coronel.
Steel FC plays next on Sunday, May 12 when they host Atlanta United 2 at Talen Energy Stadium (6:00 p.m. ET | ESPN+).
