As Bethlehem Steel FC opened its fourth season in its modern history, a trio of Philadelphia Union players played key roles in leading the squad to a 2-0 victory over league-newcomers Birmingham Legion FC.
Union forward Kacper Przybylko earned the start up top for Brendan Burke's squad and made the most of his minutes in the USL Championship with a second-half strike to spoil Legion FC's opening party. Przybylko used his athleticism to notch Steel FC's opening goal of 2019, collecting his own rebound after heading on target a cross from Zach Zandi. After the keeper made the initial stop, the 25-year-old from Germany flicked home the ball with an extended right foot.
Left back Matt Real joined in with the Steel FC offense, setting up Zandi's insurance goal in the 68th minute. Transitioning from defense to offense, Real threaded a pass centrally to Zandi who finished off the play with a right-footed curler inside the far post.
On the other end of the pitch, goalkeeper Matt Freese collected a clean sheet in his professional debut. The Union homegrown made stops on all three shots on target including
