July 28, 2016 USL Toronto FC II--Bethlehem Steel FC vs Toronto FC II game preview (from bethlehemsteelfc.com)
STEEL FC FACE OFF AGAINST TORONTO FC II, SEEK THREE POINTS FOR PLAYOFF PUSH By Mihir Pandya, 07/28/16, 10:45AM EDT Bethlehem Steel FC get ready to take on Toronto FC II for their fifth consecutive home game, the fifth of a stretch of six consecutive home games at Goodman Stadium. The game will be televised live on Service Electric 2 at 4 p.m., Sunday, July 31 and on www.bethlehemsteelfc.com. Steel FC (6-7-7) are coming off a solid 1-1 performance against one of the top teams in the league, Rochester Rhinos. The first half featured a very pushy Steel FC attack, which led to an amazing individual effort by Derrick Jones. In the 20th minute of play, Jones intercepted a ball in the midfield, sprinted down the field and after three fakes; he calmly rolled it past the outstretched Rochester keeper. The goal was his fourth of the season, making him the leading scorer on the team. “Couple poor decisions and silly defending cost us two points there,” head coach Brendan Burke said. “Otherwise, we were well in control of the game for the most part. Right from the opening kickoff, even in the second half when they asserted some pressure, it’s just long balls. But I thought our center backs dealt with it well.” It was another fine game for the 19-year-old rookie, who on Wednesday, officially signed as a Homegrown Player with Philadelphia Union, becoming the first player to do so for the club in four years. Jones, however, became the first to follow the Union’s path to the pros, coming from the Union Academy to Bethlehem Steel to the First Team. “He is what this project is all about, he is a guy who was identified by the academy, came into the academy and performed well there,” Burke said. “Got his opportunity with us at the next rung on the ladder and progressed very quickly over the last 6-7 months. And you know I think we all envisioned this taking about a year for him to transition but everybody felt, given his current form, he was ready to make that jump now and start training with the first team everyday.” Toronto FC II (5-12-5) are coming off a disappointing 3-0 loss against Richmond Kickers. This snapped their best-unbeaten streak of the season (two wins and one tie). Toronto hosted the first meeting between these two and came out victorious in a high scoring 3-2 affair. An amazing curling free-kick goal by Ryan Richter was not enough to salvage any points for Steel FC at Ontario Soccer Centre. Raheem Edwards leads the way for Toronto FC II on the season with six goals and two assists. With the season coming to an end in about 10 weeks of time, Bethlehem Steel FC are taking this game very seriously in order to push for a playoff spot. “Yeah I think this weekend, everyone needs to know that it’s a playoff game for us,” Burke said. “You know we have 10 games left so you don’t want to be alarmist about it but you’re at home, you’re playing a team below you in the table, a team that beat you at their place when they probably, we left a lot on the table that night, certainly in the first half of that game. We should certainly have a motivated group going into that game.” Steel FC, after earning an important point at home; find themselves in ninth place in the Eastern Conference, even with Orlando City B on points, but just outside the playoff picture on goal difference. Toronto FC II sit in 12th with 20 points. Sunday’s match will be available via live stream on bethlehemsteelfc.com. Fans can also follow @BSteelFC on Twitter for minute-by-minute updates of the action as it develops on the pitch.
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