Bethlehem Steel edge past Cincinnati II in MLS Next Pro
Bethlehem Steel claimed a 3-2 victory over Cincinnati II in the MLS Next Pro Group Stage on Saturday. The away side took the lead through T. Reed in the 23rd minute, then held firm despite Cincinnati II's response. K. Fletcher equalised for the hosts before 90 minutes of tight football ended with two late goals from Bethlehem Steel. And here's the thing — the result keeps the visitors in sixth place while Cincinnati II remain rooted to eighth.
Reed opened the scoring just after the quarter-hour mark, giving Cincinnati II the early advantage. Fletcher brought the hosts level in the 66th minute, and Reed restored the lead five minutes later with his second. Bethlehem Steel then found their winner through J. Ruf in the 90th minute plus five, before A. Chavez sealed it shortly after. To be fair, the late surge felt inevitable once the game opened up.
The match was punctuated by five yellow cards, with the first coming at the 22-minute mark. Orejarena, Holmes, Sequera and Diop all received cautions before the substitutions began flowing. Diop was taken off in the 61st minute, followed by Ferreira at 62. Mosquera and Niang came on together at 69, while Sequera and Moore were paired in the 78th. By then, the tempo had shifted noticeably.
Cincinnati II's record speaks for itself: seven wins from 25 games, no draws, and 18 defeats. They sit on 19 points, eight behind Bethlehem Steel who sit six places above them. The visitors have won three of their last five, including a 2-1 victory over Cincinnati II earlier in August. The hosts, meanwhile, have lost four of their last five matches.
The table doesn't lie — Bethlehem Steel needed these points badly. Cincinnati II's zero draws this season tell you everything about their approach: attack or break. And here's the thing, this result might make life awkward for both sides going forward, but only one side can celebrate tonight.