CHESTER, Pa. (April 19, 2019) – Bethlehem Steel FC (3-3-1) will look to rebound as it plays host to Indy Eleven (3-1-0) at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 20 at Talen Energy Stadium in the first of two planned Union-Steel double headers in 2019.
Steel FC enters the following a tough road result against Charlotte Independence, where the club fell 2-1. Indy Eleven is on the road once more, having played just once at home so far in the 2019 USL Championship regular season. The Indiana side has picked up six of their nine points on the road, defeating Swope Park Rangers and Charlotte Independence. The club’s only loss came in its first match against league leaders Saint Louis FC.
Saturday afternoon’s contest will be the fourth contest in the all-time series, with the two sides splitting results in three contests in 2018. Not only did the results stay even, the goalscoring was tied as well with both sides netting three goals.
Strengths
BST – Energy at home. While Steel FC is coming off a loss on the road, they are looking to continue their strong run of form recently at home with results against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (2-2 draw) and Charleston Battery (3-1 win). Steel FC will look to build upon that positive energy from the crowd at Saturday’s double header which should create extra energy and buzz as the squad plays.
IND – Experience. Indy Eleven has put together one of the most experienced teams in the league, particularly in their attack. Indy features Thomas Enevoldsen and Dane Kelly up top, who have over 500 appearances and 141 goals between them with Kelly holding the title of all-time leading goal scorer in USL (79). Keeping them off the scoreboard will be crucial for Steel FC to take any result from this match.
Weaknesses
BST – Fatigue. This will be the Steel’s third match in eight days, including a road trip to Charlotte, N.C. in the middle of the week. It’s going to be difficult taking on a team in Indy Eleven that played a match on Monday, April 15 but had two weeks two prepare before that contest. Keeping fresh legs and focus could be an issue for the youth of Steel in this match.
IND – Competition. You can only play the teams next on your schedule but up to this point in the season, the Eleven haven’t played many games against stiff competition. While the Indiana side has three wins and one loss their wins have come against teams ranked 15th (Charlotte), 17th (Swope Park) and 18th (Hartford) in the Eastern Conference standings. It’s too early to tell whether this will continue, but a pattern has definitely started.
Bethlehem Steel FC hosts Indy Eleven at Talen Energy Stadium on Saturday, April 20. Kick off from Talen Energy Stadium is set for 4:00 p.m. ET as part of a double-header with Philadelphia Union hosting Montreal Impact at 1:00 p.m. ET. Tickets for both matches are available here, with the Steel match set to be broadcast on ESPN+.
MATCH INFORMATION
2019 USL Championship Regular Season
Date: April 20, 2019
Kickoff: 4:00 p.m. ET
Location: Talen Energy Stadium, Chester, Pa.
Bethlehem Steel FC: 3-3-1
Indy Eleven: 3-1-0
Match Day Twitter: @BSteelFC
Game Day Hashtag: #BSTvIND
Match Center: https://bit.ly/2IH4zgB
Watch: ESPN+
