Philadelphia Union : Bethlehem Steel FC Opens 2018 Preseason

Bethlehem Steel FC returned to the field Tuesday morning for their first official training session of 2018. The newest faces of the squad joined with familiar ones as Steel FC kicked off training at the indoor facilities at YSC Sports in Wayne, Pa.

As snow provided a backdrop outdoors, James Chambers, Matt Mahoney, Santi Moar and Chris Nanco met up with Steel FC's newest members Brandon Allen, Brandon Aubrey and Omar Holness to begin the club's third campaign in the United Soccer League. Steel FC's squad was joined in training by tralists, 12 members of the Philadelphia Union Academy and all three 2018 MLS SuperDraft selections by the Philadelphia Union.

'Progressing as a club from last year's results along with player development are our goals and I think we laid a strong foundation last year,' Bethlehem Steel FC head coach Brendan Burke said. 'We have guys that were a part last year that can help some of our new guys. Our new additions have been a part of successful environments but now it's about transitioning them to our environment and some of the nuances of that.'

After a series of activation and warmups, the club went into passing drills stressing timing while building a foundation of much needed chemistry among all the new players. The session ended with multiple timed 9v9 scrimmages.

Two Steel FC players did not participate in the club's opening practice. Omar Holness continues to his progression from injury suffered last season while newest signing Olivier Mbaizo was invited to training with the Union.

Steel FC continues training for the rest of the week before a pair of off days on Sunday and Monday. Photos from today's session can be found here.