Steel FC announce preseason dates

Bethlehem Steel FC have announced five preseason matches spanning a wide variety of leagues that will be held at both YSC Sports near King of Prussia as well as the Power Training complex outside of Talen Energy Stadium in Chester. These are all open to the public and free of charge, so come out and get a look at Bethlehem’s 2018 side!

First up on February 10th at YSC (2 p.m.) is FC Motown. After a rebrand, the 2017 regional finalists scored 40 goals in the NPSL’s Keystone Conference. Also of note current Bethlehem Steel FC forward Brandon Allen was previously with the side.

Next up on the 17th also at YSC with a 2 p.m. kickoff are Junior Lone Star FC. Last year the two clubs met for a preseason friendly for the second straight year with Bethlehem emerging victorious thanks to some crafty work from Santi Moar. Definitely read up on JLS before you come as this is their U23 UPSL side but they’ve put a lot of work into expanding into some really interesting areas, including Liberia this year.

Wednesday the 21st, Bethlehem Steel welcome fellow USL side Penn FC to YSC with a kick off of 1:30 p.m. Formerly Harrisburg City Islanders, they have new kits, a new logo and as of time of publication, no head coach. It’ll be interesting to get any glimpse as to what Penn has to offer and this is the earliest we’ve been able to do that since Steel were formed (the teams played a preseason match in mid-March last year).

Closing out February on the 24th, Bethlehem welcome Syracuse University to YSC at 2 p.m. in a rematch of sorts from 2016’s preseason schedule. The Orange put up a somewhat disappointing 6-8-4 record in 2017, bowing out in the ACC tournament on penalties. That being said it’s a young squad who will be hungry to show well against a professional side, and alumnus Chris Nanco.

Finally, on March 4th Bethlehem get a look at the Pittsburgh (maybe rebranding but for now) Riverhounds under the new oversight of Bob Lilley. This will take place at 3 p.m. at the Power Training Complex, and will be a good look at what appears to be a deadly Riverhounds side, largely in part due to one of the best coaches in American soccer in the last decade and a half. These teams can’t figure out who wants the series lead with the all time record an even 2-2-2 so I wouldn’t imagine anything less then a 2-2 draw.

Come on out, say hi, watch some soccer and see the next crop of Union signings before they were cool.

Steel Preseason:

Saturday, February 10 (YSC Sports, 2 p.m.) vs FC Motown

Saturday, February 17 (YSC Sports, 2 p.m.) vs Junior Lone Star FC U23

Wednesday, February 21 (YSC Sports, 1:30 p.m.) vs Penn FC

Saturday, February 24 (YSC Sports, 2 p.m.) vs Syracuse University

Sunday, March 4 (Power Training Complex, 3 p.m.) vs Pittsburgh Riverhounds