Post-Match Quote Sheet
Bethlehem Steel FC vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies | June 22, 2019 – Goodman Stadium, Bethlehem, Pa.
Bethlehem Steel FC
Head Coach Brendan Burke
On his thoughts on James Chambers’ milestone performance . . .
It’s fantastic; I mean he’s been here from the beginning and helped build this program that’s moving through three or four players every year to the first team. You know whatever capacity they’re moving through that if they can help in any way, they’ll help the first team move forward. What a great accomplishment and so much of the learning that happens here happens because of him, with him putting his arm around guys and also showing them from a technical and tactical standpoint how it should be done. I can’t say enough good things about him and I’m so happy that I’ve had the privilege to work with him for so long.
On James Chambers becoming Bethlehem Steel FC’s all-time leading goal scorer and his team’s performance today . . .
It’s a shame that he’s suspended next week, he scored in three straight games and he almost scored a second today. He reads the game really well. I just wish we had a little more punch up top today because we were really good in the second half. I thought once we made those changes we caused [Tampa Bay Rowdies] all sorts of trouble and we really ran their legs off, we possessed the ball well, we repressed well, they really didn’t get any rhythm in the second half and you know credit to the guys that played in the second half there.
Midfielder James Chambers
On playing his 100th match for Steel FC in the Lehigh Valley . . .
I think it was a nice little touch. I was coming up in my car and I was telling my Mrs. as well that it was a nice little touch to come back to Goodman [Stadium] for the 100th game. It wasn’t in La Salle [University] and obviously we couldn’t be in Talen [Energy Stadium]. It was nice for sentimental reasons, but it doesn’t count for anything now because we’ve lost the game. That’s the disappointing thing.
On becoming Steel FC’s all-time leading goal scorer . . .
It would have been nice if we had of just got one more roll of the dice very, very late. It would have been nice to have capped that with a 2-2 draw. It doesn’t really have any consolation for me now to be honest.
Midfielder Zach Zandi
On his team’s performance in the second half . . .
I think we had a good response after a pretty poor first half. Obviously, we didn’t get the result we wanted. The fight was there, but it just has to be better.
On the experience and leadership that James Chambers brings to this team . . .
Its immeasurable. I think, that’s the best way to describe it. He’s a great leader and a great player on the field, and for my rookie year he’s been a great mentor for me. I’m trying to just learn from him as much as I can. The 100th cap and all-time leading goal scorer for the Steel I think really just shows how great of a player he really is and how great of a person he is too.
