Following a two-match road trip that included the club’s first all-time win over Louisville City FC, a 1-0 clean sheet at Louisville Slugger Field, Bethlehem Steel FC returns to Talen Energy Stadium to host Hartford Athletic on Thursday, August 1. The last meeting between the two clubs saw a big 3-0 shutout win on the road for the Steel, with a lot of offensive production from Faris, Walter Cortés and James Chambers. Kickoff from Talen Energy Stadium is set for 5:00 p.m. ET. Fans can purchase their tickets here, with the match set to be broadcast on ESPN+.
Strength
Unpredictability – Although the Athletic are in last place in the Eastern Conference and currently have a record of 3-15-4, two of their three wins are surprising ones. The Eastern Conference expansion club picked up wins against Loudoun United FC and Saint Louis FC, with their biggest win to date being a 2-1 upset victory over Indy Eleven in the club’s inaugural match at Dillon Stadium.
Weakness
Road Record – Only four of Hartford’s 13 points have come when they’ve been away from home this year. The Connecticut club has a USL Championship regular-season record of 1-10-1 when it has left the confines of The Constitution State. With the Steel taking the earlier meeting at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Conn., this week’s match at Talen Energy Stadium looks to be an opportunity for the Boys in Blue to pick up points and do the double against Hartford.
Players to watch
José Angulo, ST #9 – Angulo is Hartford’s leading goal man, bringing in four for the club so far this year. He also leads the Athletic in shots (32) and shots on target (13) in 2019. Even though Hartford has plenty of offensive options and the Colombian forward only holds a one-goal lead over his teammates atop the club’s scoring chart, he is definitely their primary target in the attack.
Mads Jorgensen, M #8 – Their primary chance creator, Jorgensen has created 24 different opportunities for the Athletic this season and assisted on one. The 6’2” midfielder from Denmark doesn’t just set them up though, he’s also notched three goals for the club to date. He’s one of two players that can get the Hartford attack running.
Danny Barrera, M #80 – The other engine behind the expansion club’s attack. Barrera is one of two assist men with a team-high three on the year and he has only created one less chance (23) than Jorgensen. If you focus on Jorgensen, then that leaves Barrera who is equally as dangerous in distribution.
Injuries/Suspensions
Tyler David – Out (Groin)
Giuseppe Gentile – Out (Concussion)
Mike Novotny – Out (Concussion)
Philip Rasmussen – Out (Calf)
Mac Steeves – Out (Hip)
The Boys in Blue host Hartford Athletic on Thursday, August 1 at 5:00 p.m. ET. Tickets are available here, with the match set to be broadcast on ESPN+.
