The 2016 season was Bethlehem Steel FC's inaugural season of competitive soccer â its first season in the third division of American soccer and its first season in the United Soccer League. Steel FC competed in the league's Eastern Conference.
Bethlehem Steel FC compete in USL, which is the third tier of the American soccer pyramid. Steel FC's affiliation with the Philadelphia Union of MLS has prevented the team from participating in the U.S. Open Cup competition. The decision to make affiliated "farm teams" ineligible for the U.S. Open Cup was decided for the 2016 iteration of the tournament.
The 2016 USL season will be contested by 29 teams, 14 of which compete in the league's Eastern Conference. All teams will play a regular season total of 30 matches between teams within their respective conference. At the conclusion of the regular season, the top eight teams from each conference advance to the 2016 USL Playoffs for a chance to compete for the USL Championship Title.
All times in Eastern Time.
As of September 25, 2016.
As of September 25, 2016.