CHESTER, Pa. (May 12, 2019) – Bethlehem Steel FC fought to a tough 1-1 draw at home to kick off the club’s three-match home stand, getting standout performances from Tomás Romero, Matt Real and Jamoi Topey in the second half.
Despite giving up the early 11th-minute goal to Atlanta’s Laurence Wyke, Philadelphia Union Academy goalkeeper Tomás Romero made great saves in the remainder of the first half to keep the Steel in the match. Midfielder Chavany Willis and Philadelphia Union forward Michee Ngalina both made dangerous attacks, but were unable to level in the first half.
Jamoi Topey had a massive moment in the 64th minute when he got on the end of Matt Real’s free kick and found the back of the net for his first Steel FC goal, giving the hosts the opportunity to fight for all three points for the remainder of the match. Goalkeeper Tomás Romero had work to do as Atlanta pushed to regain the lead. He raised his total to five saves in this match, including a save on the visitor’s 57th-minute penalty kick, and really coming through for his team at Talen Energy Stadium.
Topey’s first goal came in just his fourth start for the Steel, making him one of four players to record both a goal and an assist for the club this season (Michee Ngalina, Zach Zandi, Ben Ofeimu). Philadelphia Union defender Matt Real recorded his second assist of the season, becoming one of three players to have more than one assist for the club this season (Zach Zandi, James Chambers). Real also finished with a 93.1% passing accuracy tonight, the highest of any starting player on the pitch.
Bethlehem Steel FC next hosts Ottawa Fury FC at Talen Energy Stadium on Sunday, May 19 (6:00 p.m. ET | Talen Energy Stadium | Chester, Pa. | ESPN+).
RECAP:
Bethlehem Steel FC 1 – Atlanta United 2 1
Talen Energy Stadium (Chester, Pa.)
Sunday, May 12, 2019
TODAY’S MATCH INFO:
Venue: Talen Energy Stadium (Chester, Pa.)
Referee: Lorant Varga
Assistant Referees: Ryan Graves, CJ Morgante
Fourth Official: Joshua Encarnacion
Weather: 48 degrees and cloudy
Attendance: 222
GOALS/ASSISTS
ATL – Laurence Wyke (Jack Metcalf) 11’
BST – Jamoi Topey (Matt Real) 64’
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
BST – James Chambers (caution) 20’
ATL – Anderson Asiedu (caution) 59’
ATL – José Hernández (caution) 72’
ATL – Will Vint (caution) 81’
BST – Walter Cortés (caution) 83’
ATL – Laurence Wyke (caution) 90’
LINEUP
Bethlehem Steel FC: Tomás Romero; Matt Real, Ben Ofeimu, Jamoi Topey, Olivier Mbaizo; James Chambers ©, Steve Kingue (Walter Cortés 60’); Chavany Willis, Michee Ngalina; Faris, Shanyder Borgelin (Patrick Bohui 60’)
Substitutes not used:Kris Shakes; Nathan Harriel, Yomi Samuele Scintu
Atlanta United 2: Dylan Castanheira; Jack Metcalf ©, Laurence Wyke, Tyler Ruthven, Michael Ambrose (Will Vint 46’); Laurent Kissiedou, Luiz Fernando, Anderson Adieu, José Hernández; Jackson Conway (Patrick Okonkwo 74’), Yosef Samuel (Alessandro Castro 65’)
Substitutes not used: Marzuq Pukerin; Kevin Barajas, Bienvenue Kanakimana, Kendall Edwards
TEAM NOTES
Goalkeeper Tomás Romero made his second start of the season tonight and finished with a game-high five saves. Romero’s five saves were tied for second-most by a Steel FC goalkeeper this season.
In Jamoi Topey’s fourth career start for Steel FC, he scored his first goal for the club in the 64th minute. Topey is now one of four players to record both a goal and an assist for the Steel this season, joining Michee Ngalina, Zach Zandi and Ben Ofeimu.
Matt Real’s assist in the 64th minute was his second for the club in the 2019 USL Championship regular season. Real is one of three players for the club to have more than one assist this season (Zach Zandi, James Chambers). Real also finished with a 93.1% passing accuracy tonight, the highest of any starting player on the pitch.
Steel FC forward Faris’ hard-working night ended with a game-high seven fouls won and a team-high four shots.
Steel FC plays next on Sunday, May 19 when it hosts Ottawa Fury FC at Talen Energy Stadium (6:00 p.m. ET | ESPN+).
