After losing its first head-to-head match this season to Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (12-4-10), Bethlehem Steel FC (12-11-6) will hit the road for the final meeting between the two sides, kicking off at 7 p.m. on Friday at Highmark Stadium.
Since its 2-1 loss to Pittsburgh on Aug. 12 at Goodman Stadium, Steel FC has bounced back, winning three of its past four games. This stretch includes two clean sheets and two road victories (at Toronto FC II and at Nashville SC).
Over the course of the season, Bethlehem has been competitive away from Goodman Stadium, totaling a 6-7-1 record in rival venues. Digging deeper, the club has won its past four road matches, outscoring its foes, 10-1, and posting three clean sheets.
Steel FC currently ranks fifth in the Eastern Conference and has a seven-point cushion in terms of holding a playoff spot.
On the defensive side of the ball, Matthew Mahoney has stabilized the backline for Steel FC this season. Currently, he leads the squad in clearances (112) and interceptions (66). Mahoney also paces the club with 26 starts and 2,389 minutes, so he has demonstrated durability along with effectiveness.
Strengths
Shot volume: Steel FC is third in the Eastern Conference with 396 total shots.
Efficiency: The club has backed up its plentiful shot numbers with a 15.8 percent conversion rate, which places fifth in the conference.
Weaknesses
Discipline: Bethlehem leads the Eastern Conference with 391 fouls committed.
Consistent Threat: Despite the high shot volume, Bethlehem’s leading goalscorer Santi Moar ranks tied for 17th in the Eastern Conference in goals scored (six total tallies).
