Following an outburst on offense a week ago, it took a strong defensive performance and some fortune to help guide Bethlehem Steel to a crucial point on the road in Ottawa on Sunday. After taking care of business against Toronto FC II 4-0 at home, Steel traveled north to find a more formidable challenge in yet another Canadian opponent — Ottawa Fury.

What ended as a mild 0-0 draw could have easily taken a different turn early on when fullback Olivier Mbaizo dove into a tackle that resulted in a penalty being awarded to the hosts. Fortunately for the young Cameroonian and his side Steeven Dos Santos bailed them out when he stepped up to take the ensuing kick and heard his shot ring the goalpost and echo throughout a hushed TD Bank Stadium.

For Bethlehem, chances at goal were few and far between as their attack managed just one shot on target.

With Ottawa playing for their playoff lives and Bethlehem already in control of their destiny, it appeared that they were content in playing to a 0-0 draw and did just that with a well executed game plan by coach Burke.

With the draw, Bethlehem keep hold of sixth place in the USL’s Eastern Conference with just two matches remaining.

They’ll turn their attention to Indy Eleven next week before finishing the regular season at home against Tampa Bay.

Three Points

Record season:

Another point means one more point added to what was already a team record 45 points.

Jake McGuire:

With the clean sheet, goalkeeper Jake McGuire broke a tie with John McCarthy for most shutouts in club history with 10. His five on the season matches his career best.

Road Warriors:

Through Sunday’s draw, Bethlehem extend an impressive run of form on the road. Make it five games out of the last six games in which Steel have claimed points away from home–something they’ll have to do in the playoffs.

Scoring
None

Discipline
BST – 4’ Olivier Mbaizo (Yellow Card)
BST – 39’ Santi Moar (Yellow Card)
BST – 59’ Ben Ofeimu (Yellow Card)
OTT – 74’ Eddie Edward (Yellow Card)

BETHLEHEM STEEL FC STARTING XI
Jake McGuire; Prosper Chiluya, Ben Ofeimu, Matt Mahoney, Olivier Mbaizo; James Chambers, Anthony Fontana; Santi Moar, Brenden Aaronson (Drew Skundrich 66’), Michee Ngalina (Chris Nanco 78’); Fabian Herbers.

Substitutes not used: Kris Shakes, AJ Paterson, Omar Holness, Aidan Apodaca, Faris.

OTTAWA FURY FC STARTING XI
Maxime Crepeau; Eddie Edward, Thomas Meilleur-Giguere, David Edgar, Carl Haworth; Jeremy Gagnon-Lapare (Jamar Dixon 86’), Cristian Portilla, Chris Mannella; Azake Luboyera (Jimmy-Shammar Sanon 70’), Steevan Dos Santos, Tony Taylor (Daniel Haber 86’)

Substitutes not used: David Monsalve, Onua Obasi, Sergio Manesio, Gabriel Balbinotti.

MATCH OFFICIALS
Officials: Farbuzui Stasolla (Referee), Phil Briere (Assistant Referee), Stephanie Fortin (Assistant Referee), Pierre-Luc Lauziere (Fourth Official).