HARRISON, N.J – Red Bulls II will try to return to the win column as it welcomes Bethlehem Steel FC in a United Soccer League match at MSU Soccer Park Friday at 7 p.m. ET

New York (5-6-2, 17 points) swept the series against Bethlehem (5-6-1, 16) last year, winning all three matches by a combined 7-0.

NYRB II is coming off a 3-0 home loss to Louisville City FC Sunday. It was only the second time all season that Red Bulls II has been shutout and lost at home.

With one point separating the two sides, New York hopes to create distance before heading to Canada to meet Ottawa Fury FC for the first time.

Red Bulls II striker Brandon Allen remains tied for fourth in the league in goals with seven with Bethlehem’s Seku Conneh while Vincent Bezecourt leads the USL in assists (six).

Bethlehem Steel FC, which plays its homes games in the closest proximity to NYRB II, comes off a 2-1 win over Saint Louis FC at Worldwide Technology Park Sunday.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.