CHESTER, Pa. (April 20, 2019) – Bethlehem Steel FC played its eighth match of the 2019 USL Championship regular season against Indy Eleven. The Steel fell 0-3 in this one, after a back and forth battle at Talen Energy Stadium.
The match started slowly as neither team was able to establish an offensive presence. Steel FC pushed forward through left back Matt Real, on loan from Philadelphia Union, who whipped in multiple crosses that tested the Indy backline.
Indy Eleven broke up the slow first half in the 26th minute when Neveal Hackshaw scored off a corner, with the assist from Paddy Barrett. The visitors added another just two minutes later when all-time USL goals leader Dane Kelly scored from an Ayoze Garcia pass. Steel FC responded strongly as forward Saed Díaz played a terrific pass to midfielder Zach Zandi who had his shot blocked. Díaz broke through again before halftime but could not keep his shot below the crossbar. Steel FC started the second half with energy, and efforts from Zandi and Michee Ngalina were unable to test Evan Newton. In the 73rd minute, Tyler Pasher added a third goal for the visitors as Nico Matern provided the assist.
The Steel fell in this match, but did mark several milestones for the young squad. Shanyder Borgelin and Steve Kingue made their first career starts for Steel FC. Yomi Samuele Scintu also made his debut for the club when he came on for Philadelphia Union’s Derrick Jones in the 76th minute. Scintu was acquired from VfB Eichstatt on March 8, 2019.
Bethlehem Steel FC next travels to play Loudoun United FC at Audi Field on Friday, May 3 (7:30 p.m. ET | Audi Field | Washington, D.C. | ESPN+).
RECAP:
Bethlehem Steel FC 0 – Indy Eleven 3
Talen Energy Stadium (Chester, Pa.)
Saturday, April 20, 2019
TODAY’S MATCH INFO:
Venue: Talen Energy Stadium (Chester, Pa.)
Referee: Jon Freemon
Assistant Referees: Patrick Casey, Tyler Wyrostek
Fourth Official: Dustin Nguyen
Weather: 72 degrees and partly cloudy
Attendance: 1,537
GOALS/ASSISTS
IND – Neveal Hackshaw (Paddy Barrett) 26’
IND – Dane Kelly (Ayoze Garcia) 28’
IND – Tyler Pasher (Nico Matern) 73’
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
BST – Ben Ofeimu (caution) 53’
BST – Faris (caution) 80’
LINEUP
Bethlehem Steel FC: Carlos Miguel Coronel; Matt Real, Ben Ofeimu, Cole Turner, Steve Kingue; James Chambers ©, Derrick Jones (Yomi Samuele Scintu 76’); Zach Zandi, Michee Ngalina; Saed Díaz (Faris 49’), Shanyder Borgelin (Chavany Willis 56’)
Substitutes not used:Kris Shakes; Walter Cortés, Nathan Harriel, Sergio Santos
Indy Eleven: Evan Newton; Neveal Hackshaw, Alex Crognale, Paddy Barrett ©; Ayoze Garcia, Nico Matern, Tyler Gibson, Macauley King (Matt Watson 64’); Thomas Enevoldsen, Dane Kelly (Alioune Diakhate 90’), Tyler Pasher (Kenney Walker 81’)
Substitutes not used: Jordan Farr; Do Heon Kim, Mitchell Osmond, Karl Ouimette
TEAM NOTES
Today’s match saw Shanyder Borgelin and Steve Kingue make their first-professional starts for Steel FC. Kingue made his debut for the club on March 16 against North Carolina FC. Kingue also led players in touches today with 74. Borgelin has appeared in four matches for Steel FC this season, totaling 26 minutes and three shots.
Yomi Samuele Scintu made his first appearance for the club today when he was substituted in for Derrick Jones in the 76th minute. Scintu was acquired from VfB Eichstatt on March 8, 2019. At VfB Eichstatt, Scintu scored five goals and provided one assist during the 2018/2019 season.
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 42 passes today and only trails midfielder James Chambers by one pass for the league-high mark.
Steel FC plays next on Friday, May 3 when they travel to Loudoun United FC at Audi Field (7:30 p.m. ET | ESPN+).
