Post-Match Quote Sheet
Bethlehem Steel FC at Hartford Athletic | June 28, 2019 – Rentschler Field, East Hartford, Conn.
Bethlehem Steel FC
Head Coach Brendan Burke
On his team’s clean sheet tonight . . .
To walk out into an environment like that was great; good field. With an average age of 19.2 [years old], I walk away really impressed that they were able to hold together the tactical execution that they did. A lot of guys grew up tonight, Matt Real as captain of our team. He’s such a young player, he’s playing center back and he gave us great balance. I thought we were really good on the ball tonight and that was the key to the game for us. The fact that we didn’t have to defend for long periods of time led to the shutout.
On the performances of his team’s younger players in the match tonight . . .
Faris in particular was massive, but I thought Walter [Cortés] had a really well-rounded game as well. It was great to see him get his goal at the end. Cole [Turner] was solid in midfield; he moved the ball well, battled away, did his defensive running right through the last minute of the game. One of the last actions was a very impressive one from Cole, so just happy for each of those individuals. We’ve tried to dial back looking at the table and things like that and just focus on our performance each night. Tonight that showed through in a big way.
On his team being able to win on the road during James Chambers’ suspension . . .
Fearless and again, some guys stepped up into leadership roles tonight. When you’re rolling out with an average age of 19.2 [years old], there’s a ton of stress on the environment, on the staff, on the players themselves and you can only walk away proud. Even our subs tonight were all teenagers and they all came on and at least gave thoughtful effort to where they positioned themselves and how they battled away for us to help us see out the game. Just really proud.
Midfielder Issa Rayyan
On scoring his first professional goal . . .
Pretty much I saw Faris, I saw him dribbling and when I see Faris my first instinct was get in the box. He beat his first player, crossed it. It just bounced off the keeper and I was able to pull it away, get some space and put it in the back of the net.
On what was working offensively for his team tonight . . .
I’ve been playing right back and attacking midfielder, but I’m able to play striker. I think it was just the fact that we were able to control the game through the midfield and I was finding the gaps underneath [Hartford Athletic’s] backline. I was able to get in pockets, connect with Faris and connect with our attacking midfielders, so that seemed to work well.
On his team’s performance in tonight’s match . . .
Obviously Chambo [James Chambers] is a huge part of our team, but we knew what we had to do today. All the guys stepped up. We walked in here knowing that we were going to get three points and that’s exactly what he did.
Midfielder Cole Turner
On his team’s performance in tonight’s match . . .
With the absence of [James] Chambers we obviously lose a key asset to our team. I thought that tonight there were several individuals who stepped up to the occasion and were leaders out there, which really helped us.
On what was working for his team defensively against Hartford Athletic . . .
Tonight we fought with a whole different urgency. Anyone would have done anything to stop the ball from going in the net tonight.
On his first Steel FC assist . . .
The opportunity just kind of popped up. I looked up and saw Faris in acres of space and no one was paying attention. I just thought to go for it and it worked.
