Bethlehem Steel FC USL Superthread

Discussion in 'United Soccer Leagues' started by thomas19064, Aug 14, 2015.

  1. bremen24

    bremen24 Member

    Jul 12, 2014
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    I would not expect much attendance wise. While I do think a team could do very well here the only reason I know about BSFC is because of these forums... that doesn't inspire confidence.
     
  2. oneeyedfool

    oneeyedfool Member+

    Nov 17, 2012
    Club:
    New York Cosmos
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    #127 oneeyedfool, Dec 29, 2015
    Last edited: Dec 29, 2015
    The only people who know about Bethlehem Steel FC that I talk to are the ones I have told about it. Hopefully they pick up the marketing campaign soon because it would be good to see stuff in the community about BSFC. There is a "Bethlehem Steel" shirt in Wegmans in Allentown near the checkout counters where the local sports t-shirts are, but it doesn't say "FC" and there is nothing to discern it from just being about the steel company. Getting some real BSFC swag in Wegmans in that location would be a good thing.

    Hopefully they are engaged heavily with Lehigh Valley United and some of the local area youth clubs to be advertising in a more targeted way to the families engaged in those systems. They should sponsor some tournaments at the Lehigh County Sports Fields, get involved with the Lou Ramos stuff, etc, come spring.
     
  3. bremen24

    bremen24 Member

    Jul 12, 2014
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    Those shirts are for the 150 year centennial of Bethlehem Steel. I've never seen local sports stuff in the Bethlehem store, interesting that they have it in Allentown. It would def be great if they sold BSFC stuff.
     
  4. Dills

    Dills Moderator
    Staff Member

    Philadelphia Union
    United States
    Jun 6, 2006
    Southampton|PA
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
  5. bremen24

    bremen24 Member

    Jul 12, 2014
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    There was what I think was a BSFC Sales Rep at the Bethlehem Wegmans yesterday. He was wearing a BSFC shirt and talking to one of the managers, he sounded like he was describing upcoming product.
     
  6. msilverstein47

    msilverstein47 Member+

    Jan 11, 1999
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    #131 msilverstein47, Feb 19, 2016
    Last edited: Feb 19, 2016
    Bethlehem Steel FC hosts Syracuse at the Philadelphia Union Training Fields for their first friendly on Sunday, March 6th at 12 p.m. This is your first chance to see Bethlehem Steel in action. The Union Shop will be open to get your BSFC gear.
    Following the friendly, stick around for a viewing party of the Union season opener vs. FC Dallas in the TruMark Financial Club at 3 p.m. Please RSVP if you plan on attending the viewing party as space is limited.

    also:

    http://www.philadelphiaunion.com/post/2016/02/03/bethlehem-steel-fc-finalize-technical-staff

    Bethlehem Steel FC announced it added Jeff Cook and Stephen Hogan as assistant coaches for the inaugural 2016 season. In addition, the club has added Dave Peck as an athletic development coach, Yaseen Khan as athletic trainer, and Brandon Comisky as team coordinator.
     
  7. msilverstein47

    msilverstein47 Member+

    Jan 11, 1999
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
  8. davidrpaige

    davidrpaige Member

    May 17, 2008
    Washington, DC
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    Germany
    Well, that is stupid. How can you have a interstate cup competition and not include one of the teams in the state?
     
  9. Vesty

    Vesty Member

    May 8, 2007
    Pittsburgh
    Club:
    Pittsburgh Riverhounds
    #134 Vesty, Feb 26, 2016
    Last edited: Feb 26, 2016
    Pittsburgh vs Harrisburg games have been referred to as the Keystone Derby for a while. Last season was the first time there's been an actual trophy. It's never been billed as a state wide competition. It's just a rivalry cup between two teams who don't feel like including the new guys.
     
  10. msilverstein47

    msilverstein47 Member+

    Jan 11, 1999
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Take advantage of this exclusive Leap Day offer! Purchase four general admission tickets to the home opener on April 3 for just $29. One winner will be chosen at random to join the pregame high five line!
    Click here to purchase and use promo code LEAP
     
  11. msilverstein47

    msilverstein47 Member+

    Jan 11, 1999
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Come out and see Bethlehem Steel FC for their final pre-season friendly as they face Georgetown on Sunday, March 20th at 11:30am at the Philadelphia Union Training Center.
    Following the friendly, you’re invited to stick around as the Philadelphia Union host New England Revolution for their home opener at Talen Energy Stadium at 2pm. Bethlehem Steel FC supporters will receive a discount offer for tickets to the match.
     
  12. thomas19064

    thomas19064 Member+

    Apr 29, 2008
    Delco
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Maybe I'll show up to tailgate a little early and check out this game.
     
  13. msilverstein47

    msilverstein47 Member+

    Jan 11, 1999
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
  14. msilverstein47

    msilverstein47 Member+

    Jan 11, 1999
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
  15. msilverstein47

    msilverstein47 Member+

    Jan 11, 1999
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Bethlehem Steel FC will be playing on Sunday, April 3rd at Goodman Stadium for the first time ever! This is a day you do not want to miss! Kickoff is slated for 3:00pm, gates open at 1:30pm. Come early and try foods from different vendors, play games outside the gates at our Fan Fest, and see the new Bethlehem Steel FC merchandise.
    Tickets are still on sale prior to game day for just $13! Walk up is $15 so grab your tickets in advance! For more information, click on the image below, or go to bethlehemsteelfc.com/steelfc/tickets or call 844-STEELFC
     
  16. msilverstein47

    msilverstein47 Member+

    Jan 11, 1999
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    This felt like an “organic” soccer match hosted by an organization and town that at least has a blueprint for how it might thrive in the future, whatever the odds. The historic Bethlehem Steel team will remain untouched for what it did in the past, but like the city itself, this felt like a proud incarnation that recognized and even celebrated its own limits and potential for right now. And on a weekend in U.S. Soccer circles where “right now” was not a fun place to be, it was a relief to be right there.
    Read more at http://www.fourfourtwo.com/us/featu...iladelphia-union-branding#mJy1Qd1MYcvt57fo.99
     
    Unak78, USFootiefan1980 and thomas19064 repped this.
  17. oneeyedfool

    oneeyedfool Member+

    Nov 17, 2012
    Club:
    New York Cosmos
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I was at the match, for the first half. It was too cold so I took my son home. The weather was the real downer. It was my first USL match, so I have nothing to compare it to on that level, only MLS, NASL and international matches.

    It definitely had the feel of being a minor league satellite team to the Union, from the fans with the Union gear to the big flag with the BSFC and Union logos. I was hoping it wouldn't feel quite so Union centric. As a non-Union fan but local resident, I felt like a bit of an outsider.

    My feeling was that Goodman was OK but not great venue. I suspect it might have been better at Coca-Cola Park if that were available (also a more convenient location for most in the Lehigh Valley). The quality of play was OK, I would say clearly below NASL level, and several of the standouts in the match were players from last season's Soccer Bowl rivals Ottawa and Cosmos (Weideman, Ritcher, Restrepo, Fernandes). I had to wonder what Fernandes and Restrepo were thinking, having gone from playing with Raul and Marcos Senna to playing at Goodman (which, yes, is quite a bit worse of a venue than Shuart).

    I'll definitely be back because its my local team and it is convenient. I have tickets to 3 more games and will probably buy more because I enjoy watching live soccer. I will probably go most weeks the Cosmos aren't home.
     
    Unak78 repped this.
  18. msilverstein47

    msilverstein47 Member+

    Jan 11, 1999
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    having seen a NPSL playoff match played at Goodman and having been to many events at Hofstra...we will agree to disagree...but I did appreciate your commentary very much, so thanks!
     
  19. thomas19064

    thomas19064 Member+

    Apr 29, 2008
    Delco
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I have to imagine the playing surface is superior for the players...
     
  20. oneeyedfool

    oneeyedfool Member+

    Nov 17, 2012
    Club:
    New York Cosmos
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I'm sure it is. I was focusing on the fan experience.
     
  21. msilverstein47

    msilverstein47 Member+

    Jan 11, 1999
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    http://www.empireofsoccer.com/preview-nyrb-ii-take-on-bethlehem-steel-46752/

    Bethlehem Steel FC are looking to get their season back on track after a loss in their home opener to FC Cincinnati. The team still looks strong with a roster that is filled with veteran talent. So far, that veteran know-how has proven to be effective on the road as the team toppled FC Montreal at the Stade Seputo in week one.

    Considering the proximity, the Steel may be playing this game with a bit more fervor as a potential rivalry may be in the works.
     
  22. msilverstein47

    msilverstein47 Member+

    Jan 11, 1999
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Bethlehem Steel FC announces a double header on Sunday, May 15th at Goodman Stadium. Arrive early to watch PDL sides Lehigh Valley United and Reading United AC at 12 p.m. followed by your Bethlehem Steel FC fixture against FC Montreal at 4 p.m.
    Admission is FREE for kids 10 and under with the purchase of an adult ticket. Call 844-STEELFC or stop by the Box Office on game day for tickets. Ticket Windows will open at 11 a.m.
     
  23. msilverstein47

    msilverstein47 Member+

    Jan 11, 1999
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Place a deposit for a group of 15 or more tickets to any home Steel FC game and you'll get a complimentary pair of tickets to the Union home opener against Toronto FC on Saturday, March 11! You can get an additional pair for every 50 group tickets paid in full by February 28 – don't miss this opportunity!

    Click here for more information
     
  24. Unak78

    Unak78 BigSoccer Supporter

    Dec 17, 2007
    PSG & Enyimba FC
    Club:
    Chelsea FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Nigeria
    I commend the Union for drawing from the historic club for their D2 affiliate. It represents a growing trend both in MLS and at D2 in tying the modern age to the countries relatively unknown, uncelebrated, but rich soccer history. I only wish that the badge was more reminiscent of the original team's badge. Branding the colors with the Union's own colors makes sense, however, a simple "B" with the Union's snake entwined would have been better. Still, it's nice to see that there's interest in this incarnation and can only hope that it grows and becomes a successful affiliate brand in it's own right. The Union have done something right here and I think that this only adds to their own brand.

    Are there any significant potential prospects on the team that might do something in MLS? I was born in Fountain Hill but never really lived in the LeHigh Valley, so I know very little about what the soccer scene is like out there as far as a potential recruitment base goes.
     

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