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Week 3 Growler Cup- Bethlehem Steel FC vs. FC Cincinnati

With his second goal in as many games, Djiby Fall led the Orange & Blue to their first victory of the 2017 campaign. This week FC Cincinnati faces their first “MLS 2” team in Bethlehem Steel FC, for the first of 3 meetings over the next 8 match-days. Bethlehem lost in their opener last week 3-2 against the Rochester Rhino’s but fielded a talented squad featuring former USMNT striker Charlie Davies. Last year our hometown team beat “Philly Union Lite” in both their matches and hope to pick up another road win before the home opener next week. Here’s how members of our staff think this Sunday’s match will go down.

Griffin

Oh little town of Bethlehem, have you met my man Djiby? He’s about to tear up the back line of your D. With another week of training and time together, the boys from Cincinnati will begin to show more of their attacking abilities. While they will not be as dominant as we hoped, FCC will put up two goals against BS FC. The defense will hold steady for another clean sheet. 2-0 and six points in three matches, great momentum for the home opener.

Ken Hoetker

After two games the team has really struggled to shake that same issue from last year, breaking the other team’s shell.  I don’t see Bethlehem playing in the same manner as our first two opponents, considering the talent they have at their disposal (Cory Burke, Seku Conneh, Charlie Davies?, Brian Carroll?).  This game is one I am excited about because I think the pace will be fast and I feel that plays into FCC favor. I think FCC will line up in the same formation as the first two games and one of the wingers will be Mansaray. Our wings will have to attack defenders more instead of feeding so many crosses, creating a stronger, more diverse attack.  But with our attacking mids being so aggressive, our CDM’s will need to be smart when going forward and not allow that quick counter by Bethlehem.  I am predicting FCC scores first and settles into a more counter attack stance after the first goal.  Bethlehem will press and we must not allow them back into the game after our opening goal.  If we can hold them off during the middle of the match, I think we sneak another goal after the 75th minute making the final tally FCC 2 – BSFC 0 and another Widmers Cleaners Cleansheet!

Yosief Tzeghai

We saw FCC gather their first win of the season last week in Pittsburgh and I feel that the team will keep trending up. The new additions to the squad are making an impact especially Djiby Fall, who will have his third goal in three matches. The main questions I have are: will Dazzling Daryl Fordyce be in the 18 and will new addition Justin Hoyte  see the pitch? While I expect a win, getting 4 points out of a 3 game road trip would be enough to bring the squad to a respectable position in the standings for their home opener. That said, I see FC Cincinnati Knifey Lion Soccer King Soccerball Kicking Good Guys: 2, Bad Guys: 1.

Bryan Weigel

Bethlehem has some of the best young talent in the league. But lucky for FC Cincinnati, it normally takes these “MLS 2” squads some time to gel. We are lucky that we will not have to face 16 year old stud goalkeeper Tomas Romero. In his place could be several players making their first professional appearance. If FC Cincinnati can defend the passing lanes and contain the BSFC attack, good things should come. I am looking at a 2-1 victory for FC Cincinnati. There is so much speed on Bethlehem that I feel they should at least notch 1 against the Orange & Blue. Let’s get back to Nippert!

Standings

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