Post-Match Quote Sheet
Bethlehem Steel FC vs. Indy Eleven | April 20, 2019 – Talen Energy Stadium, Chester, Pa.
Bethlehem Steel FC
Head Coach Brendan Burke
On his team’s performance tonight . . .
It’s not surprising that we lose individual battles in critical moments all over the field, that’s what today was. We’re in good spots, we had a lot of opportunities in the first half to finish off plays and show some quality in the final third. We didn’t, [Indy Eleven] did. It wasn’t all down to that, set pieces, they won all their individual battles and that’s experience and that’s what it is.
On Matt Real . . .
He had been sharp up to this point, so today he was a little flat, the field ate him up a couple times in the first half and then you’re off balance and it’s tough to get going. So far this season he’s been really locked in and pushing and concentrating at a high level and his passing has been good and his defending has been better than it has in the past. I’m excited for Matt, he deserves a chance.
On if Matt Real is ready to step up for the first team . . .
Yeah, I think so
On Carlos Miguel Coronel . . .
In games the shot stopping has been good, the game management has been good, obviously we give up a lot more chances than the Union would in an average match and a lot more crossing situations and stuff like that. I think it just puts him in that position a lot more where he has to make those decisions, which is good, because then when he has to make one or two in a Union game, hopefully he’s had time now over his four or five games with us to really hone in on that stuff with Oka [Nikolov].
On Sergio Santos . . .
Yeah, great, he’s still carrying a little bit of an injury so it was probably not worth risking him given the state of the game in the second half. That’s all that went in to the thought process on that one.
Defender Ben Ofeimu
On his individual performance . . .
I don't think I was good enough. They scored three goals so obviously as a center back you are not doing enough. It could be better.
On the most difficult part of tonight . . .
[Indy Eleven]’s counter attack was good. They had fast forwards so that part was hard, but we have to do better.
On his team’s second half changes . . .
There wasn't much change in the second half defensively. It was more just trying to go for it since we were down. So we were thinking offensively.
Midfielder Zach Zandi
On the most difficult part of tonight . . .
Scoring I’d say, we didn’t convert any of the chances, I think that was the difference. We had a couple chances and we didn’t capitalize on them and they were able to do that on their end. I think that was the biggest difference between us tonight.
On what changed in the second half . . .
I think the urgency, the desire to get into the box and really try to create opportunities; we were down so we thought come out strong and try to make a comeback as early as possible. Unfortunately, that didn’t go that way but we got a next game to look forward to now.
On positive takeaways from this match . . .
I think just looking forward to the next game, having a clean slate and looking to get three points next week.
Indy Eleven
Head Coach Martin Rennie
Opening statement . . .
I think it was a good performance from us and a good win. It was nice to be at 2-0 at halftime. There was a quite strong wind in the game and we had the wind at our back in the second half so that made the second half a little more comfortable. It's always difficult playing against Bethlehem Steel [FC]. They are a very well-coached team and have a lot of young, hungry players, dynamic and a lot of potential, so they never give up and they keep coming. I thought overall we managed the game well and we scored good goals and we created a couple other chances that could have given us that fourth goal. But we are really happy with where we are at in the season. We've really played a lot of games on the road in the beginning, so it's important to do well and pick up points, which we are. Also to play well and gain confidence which we are too. So we need to keep it going and in May and June we are at home most of the time, but right now we are just happy to get the win.
On getting the opening goal . . .
Nothing changes that early in the game because it’s so early, but I think it gives confidence. It also takes a little bit of confidence away from the other team. I think that then they have to open up more and chase more. We were ready for that because they play quite direct and dynamic anyway. So it was really the second goal that made the difference because then we really managed the game well and we were in a good position to win.
On the work to be done during his team’s week of rest…
We will do a little bit of recovery and then it’s getting back to working on the type of things we have been working on since the beginning. We have a clear idea of how we want to play and we will obviously make the players aware of certain things that will happen in the next game so they are well prepared. Just really get fresh, get ready, and look forward to another game on the road.
Defender Neveal Hackshaw
On scoring the goal . . .
We have been working on our set pieces and making hard runs. Once the ball beat us, we turned and waited for the second one. That's what I did. The ball popped in front of me and I took my chance.
On his goal celebration . . .
I love my hair. It's all in the pose after. I was so excited to score my second and the team’s first. The team is playing well so chances will come we have to take it as it comes.
On his team’s clean sheet . . .
It’s great. We work hard, our whole defense works hard. Everybody on the team works hard. We stay focused, stayed compact and we played well.
On improvements to be made . . .
We have to fix mistakes. We make mistakes in order to be better. Every time we make a mistake and work hard we will eventually play much better.
Goalkeeper Evan Newton
On his team’s clean sheet . . .
It was good, the guys in front of me did well, blocked a few shots and we really focused on trying to get out of here with a clean sheet and the guys did great in front of me.
On what his team’s backline needs to work on . . .
I think defensively we were good. We were working hard. I think when we are winning the game just seeing it out a little better and cleaner and keeping the ball a little bit better in the second half. Just trying to make the game a little easier than we did. Defensively I thought we were strong.
On his team’s confidence moving forward . . .
Yeah it great, we've been on the road a lot and been able to rack up a lot of points. Six points this week which is great and now we will have a little bit of rest and a full week to prepare for [New York] Red Bulls [II] which should be a good game and back on the road again. This was a big week I think and we got full points and hopefully we can go to Red Bull and get another good result.
