Free youth soccer clinic to celebrate 2016 Copa America

Bethlehem Steel FC will offer a soccer clinic at no cost to children between the ages of 5-12 on Tuesday, June 7 from 6:15 -7:15 p.m. during the Lehigh Valley SoccerFest presented by Discover Lehigh Valley. The first 200 children to register will participate in a hands-on clinic led by Bethlehem Steel FC staff and players.

During the clinic, children will have the opportunity to work with Steel FC personnel in a fun, laid-back atmosphere as they discover the basics of soccer. Several stations will be offered during the 60-minute clinic to emphasize various soccer techniques and skills. In addition, families can enjoy inflatables and games, and enter to win tickets to upcoming Steel FC matches.

“We are excited to be part of another successful Lehigh Valley SoccerFest this summer at SteelStacks,” Bethlehem Steel FC Managing Director Rich Searls said. “Lehigh Valley’s history of soccer and passionate fan base makes the unique atmosphere at SteelStacks the ideal location to support the U.S. Men’s National Team for this historic Copa America Centenario.”

The Lehigh Valley SoccerFest, a free festival that has attracted single-game crowds of up to 10,000 cheering fans to SteelStacks in past years, returns for its third year for the Copa America Centenario. The 2016 SoccerFest will feature all three U.S. opening round matches against Colombia on June 3 at 9:30 p.m., Costa Rica on June 7 at 8 p.m. and Paraguay on June 11 at 7 p.m. on a jumbo LED screen on SteelStacks’ Air Products Town Square. In addition, the festival will include family fun and programming such as soccer tennis, inflatables and merchandise, along with live music and food.

Children can sign up for the clinic at www.bethlehemsteelfc.com/2016soccerfest. Bethlehem Steel FC will return to action on Saturday, May 28 against Rochester Rhinos at 6 p.m. The game will be available via the Bethlehem Steel FC website, www.bethlehemsteelfc.com.

ABOUT BETHLEHEM STEEL FC

Bethlehem Steel FC joined the United Soccer League officially on Oct. 27, 2015 and will begin its inaugural season in 2016. Based in Bethlehem, Pa. in the Lehigh Valley, it is the official USL affiliate of the Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer. Also owned and operated by Keystone Sports and Entertainment, LLC, the team started their inaugural season on March 25, 2016 at FC Montreal and played the home opener at Lehigh University’s Goodman Stadium on April 3, 2016. For more information about Bethlehem Steel FC, visit http://www.bethlehemsteelfc.com.

ABOUT SOCCER FEST

A partnership between Discover Lehigh Valley, Lehigh Valley United, Lehigh Mining & Navigation and ArtsQuest, the Lehigh Valley SoccerFest is a free festival that has attracted single-game crowds of up to 10,000 cheering fans to SteelStacks in past years. Sponsors supporting the 2016 event include Discover Lehigh Valley, Kwik Goal, Outlets at Sands Bethlehem, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Air Products, Red Robin, PBS39 and Bethlehem Steel FC. For more information, visit soccerfest.discoverlehighvalley.com or like http://www.facebook.com/LVsoccerfest.