Last year in the second home game, the Steel went up a man and a goal on a last man back red card and a PK. This year in the second home game, the Steel went down a man and a goal on a last man back red card and a PK, and Nashville goalie/coach Matt Pickens made sure the early penalty resulted in three points.
The Tampa Bay Rowdies were the better team on the night, defeating Bethlehem 2-0 in spite of stellar play by keeper John McCarthy.
The Bethlehem Steel won their season opener at home for the first time in their short history, defeating the Richmond Kickers 4-1 to send the wind-chilled fans home happy.
Bethlehem Steel split two matches, winning Saturday but losing Sunday. All who were fully healthy played a full 90 minutes.
Bethlehem Steel FC continued their preseason with a trip to the Mainline against Villanova. The result was a 3-2 loss and a disappointed head coach frustrated with his teams flat play. Only three matches remain in preseason play for Steel FC.
In spite of a roster depleted by NCAA rules and the flu, Bethlehem Steel defeated Syracuse in a preseason scrimmage 2-0 on Saturday afternoon.