Patrick Brennan

pbrennan@enquirer.com

BETHLEHEM, Pennsylvania -- FC Cincinnati enjoyed several historic "firsts" Sunday, but it was all nearly marred by a late-game collapse.

The first goals in FC Cincinnati history were scored during the team's first-ever win, a 2-1 victory against Bethlehem Steel FC. A crowd of 3,655 attended at Lehigh University's Goodman Stadium.

Bethlehem Steel, a fellow USL expansion team playing its first-ever home game, threatened to dash the visitor's celebrations with a late offensive flurry, but FC Cincinnati ultimately escaped rural, northeast Pennsylvania victorious.

The first piece of Cincinnati history made in the game arrived in the 25th minute. Andrew Wiedeman calmly knocked the ball into the left corner of BSFC goalkeeper John McCarthy's net to provide the franchise with its first-ever goal.

"Kenny (Walker) played me a great ball in. We put them under good pressure," Wiedeman said. "I was just trying to take a good touch so I could get away from the defender. I put my foot through it. Put it on frame."

"I'm excited for Andrew," Cincinnati Head Coach John Harkes told The Enquirer after the game. "He worked hard for it."

Wiedeman then helped facilitate the second goal in FC Cincinnati history just 10 minutes later when, in the 35th minute, he played a give-and-go that resulted in a tally from forward Sean Okoli.

FC Cincinnati took the two-goal lead into halftime and appeared set to close out the win with relative ease after BSFC midfielder Boluwatife Akinyode was issued a red card for a tussle with Cincinnati substitute Antoine Hoppenot. Akinyode received his second yellow card with just 11 minutes remaining in regular time.

Playing down a man after Akinyode's ejection, Bethlehem managed to pull within a goal at 2-1 in the 90th minute. Midfielder Erik Ayuk lofted a ball over Cincinnati goalkeeper Mitch Hildebrandt's outstretched left arm.

Minutes later, in stoppage time, BSFC took a shot that rang off Hildebrandt's post. Hildebrandt faced four on-target shots in the game and made three saves, according to statistics provided by Bethlehem Steel FC's communications staff.

Despite the historic win, which provides the team with momentum heading into its first-ever home game Saturday at Nippert Stadium, Harkes said he's aware of his team's capacity for late-game lapses - a problem that first reared its head during preseason.

In addition to the near-collapse against BSFC (1-1-0), FC Cincinnati also lost its first USL match March 26 to Charleston on a 94th-minute goal. The goal was scored on virtually the last kick of the game.

"Now it's just can we manage the game for the rest of the game?," Harkes told The Enquirer Sunday. "I think we dropped off the game a little bit... sometimes teams get a little better and get that second wind. When you open the door, other teams are going to come at you."

FC Cincinnati (1-1-0) returns to action Saturday for its inaugural home opener at Nippert Stadium against Charlotte Independence.

About Wiedeman, FC Cincy's first-ever goal scorer

Wiedeman was second on the team in preseason goals, and Harkes joked postgame he bet his assistant coaches Wiedeman would be the first FC Cincinnati player to score in regular-season play.

"Now (assistant coach) Ryan Martin has to take Andrew and I out to dinner, so we're looking forward to that," Harkes told The Enquirer.

The 26-year-old midfielder was introduced to FC Cincinnati fans as part of the club's first class of player signings this past fall.

Wiedeman was originally drafted 21st overall in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft by FC Dallas. He attended the University of California-Berkeley where he earned First Team All Pac-10 honors in 2008 and 2009.