Bethlehem Steel FC announced the signings of Michael Daly, Gabe Gissie, and Boluwatife Akinyode as the club builds a roster ahead of their inaugural USL season.
Daly, a 28 year old defender, was named to the USL Best 11 second team after a standout season with Sacramento Republic in 2015. He was also with Republic in 2014 when the club won the USL title.
“Michael will be a steadying presence for us in the back as we anticipate having a young team,” said Bethlehem Steel FC head coach Brendan Burke. “His experience as a winner in this league should be a great asset to us in 2016.”
Gissie, also joining BSFC after a stint with Sacramento, had one goal and three assists in 19 appearances last season. The 19-year old striker is from Loganton, PA.
“Gabe is a young attacking player that has demonstrated an excellent work ethic and desire to progress,” said Burke. “He has already been a pro for two years at a young age and played in some big games including a final.”
Akinyode scored once in 21 appearances (10 starts) for New York Red Bulls II last season. The 21-year old Nigerian is an imposing midfield presence that Bethlehem coach Brendan Burke has been following for some time.
“Akinyode was a player that we tracked through his time in college and the PDL and were able to see in USL this year,” said Burke. “We think he will be an immediate contributor to our squad and look forward to getting him down to Philadelphia to start training in a few months.” (Once A Metro has a good profile piece on Akinyode.)
The signing news comes on the heels of the announcement earlier on Friday that Bethlehem Steel had named Rich Searl as Managing Director of Business Operations. Searl, formerly director of sales for New York Cosmos and, before that, New York Red Bulls, said, “We have ambitious goals of becoming the standard bearer of our growing league, and I’m really looking forward to being a driving member of the cause. I can’t wait to get started.’
Coach Burke continues to impress.
+1
I have to say… the idea of taking a weekend get away to Steel Stacks…and the abundant bookstores of Bethlehem, grabbing a People’s Breakfast and taking in a football game is totally totally alluring.
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+1
That’s what they’re kinda counting on!
+2
Not sure what a “People’s Breakfast” is (other than something The Rock would eat), but I can see traveling up the turnpike at least once next summer to take in a game.
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Do they still do the Bethlehem Blues festival?
Peoples is the name of a cafe with good eats. Yes to the Blues Fest.
And a trip to Cigars International after that People’s breakfast, why can’t this be happening sooner?
I think this is going to be kinda cool.
That is a sweet way to frame it.
Team has also signed Ryan Richter and Nick Bibbs, both local to area.
Richter played for Ottawa in NASL last 2 years and Bibbs was with St. Louis last year.
I assume that’s the same Ryan Richter who briefly was with the Union a few years back? out of Lasalle?
Yes