May 11, 2017 USL Toronto FC II--Toronto FC II vs Bethlehem Steel FC game preview (from bethlehemsteelfc.com)
Preview: Bethlehem Steel FC Continues Road Trip in Toronto By Bethlehem Steel FC Communications, 05/11/17, 1:30PM EDT Steel FC heads north of the border for Eastern Conference showdown Game Notes Bethlehem Steel FC continues its three-match May road swing this weekend, facing off against Eastern Conference foes Toronto FC II on Saturday, May 13. Kickoff from BMO Field is set for 6 p.m., following the 3 p.m. MLS match, and can be streamed online on YouTube or locally on Service Electric. “I think we know how important this game is, even though it’s early in the season,” Bethlehem Steel FC assistant coach Stephen Hogan said. “Playing against teams similar to us is where we have to take as many points as possible off them. The guys know that and I think it could feel like a playoff atmosphere given we’ll be playing in the big stadium. We have to go out for all three points, not just a draw.” Steel FC enters this weekend’s match after falling on the road to USL Eastern Conference leaders Charleston Battery, 1-0. Despite out possessing the hosts for the second half and overall in the match, Steel FC was unable to overcome a 17th-minute goal from Ataulla Guerra. Steel FC battled back in the final half with dangerous chances from Cory Burke, Seku Conneh and Philadelphia Union forward March Epps but were unable to net an equalizer. Despite the result, Coach Hogan said this week that there were many positives from the result. “It was an unfortunate result given we all thought we played really well, especially in the second half,” Hogan said. “We had a game plan and I think we stuck to it but the only thing needed was that final pass. If that final pass comes through, then we open them up. It’s disappointing because going up against the league leaders; you never know what is going to happen. The way we played produced a lot of positives.” This weekend’s match will be the third all-time matchup between the two squads and the second to take place in Canada. Both matchups ended with matching 3-2 scorelines, both in favor of Toronto FC II. In their final matchup of 2016 that took place in July, the back and forth affair went in Toronto FC II’s favor. Shaan Hundal collected his first of two goals in the first half while Steel FC answered with goals from Nick Bibbs and a penalty kick from Ryan Richter. However, Luca Uccello’s insurance goal in the 78th minute proved needed for the visitors to leave Goodman Stadium with all three points. Toronto FC II has spent the last week preparing for Steel FC, with their last match taking place on May 3. In the 1-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, goalkeeper Angelo Cavalluzzo made three saves. The keeper was recently nominated for USL Player of the Month for his play in April that saw 18 saves and a league-best three shutouts. Despite the top play of their keeper, Toronto FC has only been able to earn six points while only scoring two goals overall this season.
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