READING UNITED READY FOR CHALLENGE POSED BY HARRISBURG
For the third time in five years, the draw for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup has paired Reading United A.C. against the Harrisburg City Islanders of the United Soccer League. The two clubs are set to meet in Reading with Exeter High School’s Don Thomas Stadium serving as the venue for the second round clash. Kickoff is set for 7:00pm and the winner of the game will advance to face either the Rochester Rhinos or Greater Binghamton FC in the third round of the nation’s oldest national soccer competition.
“We are very excited to be in the Second Round of the U.S. Open Cup and play against Harrisburg,” said Reading United Head Coach David Castellanos. He continued, “Harrisburg is a club where our boys can potentially begin their playing careers, so I’m sure they will want to impress. This will be a very tough match for us, but we are looking forward to the challenge”
The Philadelphia Union affliates have produced two memorable matches in their prior meetings in Open Cup competition. In 2011, the clubs met at Harrisburg’s Skyline Sports Complex in the first round of the tournament. United took a first half lead thanks to a David Rodriguez goal in the 35thminute. Reading held on to their slim 1-0 advantage into the dying minutes of the match before the City Islanders scored wtwice in the final five minutes of the match to take the win.
Mario Pinto celebrates his goal against the City Islanders in the 2013 edition of the Open Cup. (Photo Courtesy of Glenn Riegel Photography)
Meeting in the second round of the 2013 edition of the U.S. Open Cup, United again grabbed an early lead in front of their home fans. Mario Pinto cooly volleyed a looping effort past Harrisburg goalkeeper Nick Noble in the 9th minute. Reading defended in earnest for much of the second half as the visitors laid seige to the United goal. Pinto’s goal was all the home side would need as Reading’s brave defense made up of future Major League Soccer draft picks Damion Lowe, Jimmy Ockford, Ben Sweat and Wes Charpie held the City Islanders off the scoreboard and helped United advance to the third round of the competition for the first time in club history.
United come into this year’s showdown with the City Islanders on the back of two consecutive shutouts. Reading dumped the Maryland Bays, the defending U.S. Adult Amatuer Cup Champions, out of the competition with a 1-0 victory in the first round of the tournament. Brett Campbell scored the game’s only goal in the 19th minute of the match and Kyle Morton made a trio of clutch saves to preserve the win. In their Premier Development League opener, Reading played Lehigh Valley United to a scoreless draw.
Harrisburg head to Reading in fine form, unbeaten in their last five matches and sitting fifth in the United Soccer Leugue’s Eastern Conference. Head Coach Bill Becher’s side features former Reading United star Jason Plumhoff, as well as attacked minded players Yann Ekra and Jose Barril. The City Islanders defense is led by veteran goalkeeper Nick Noble and has yielded just one goal in the last three league matches.
Reading United host their first home match of the 2015 Premier Development League season on Saturday, May 30th when the Ocean City Nor’easters come to town. The match will be played at Exeter High School’s Don Thomas Stadium with kickoff scheduled for 7:00pm. The home opener will also be In Ian’s Boots Night. Fans are encouraged to bring gently used footwear to donate to this incredible charity. Tickets for the match are available at 9h9.f8e.myftpupload.com/. Contact our ticket sales team at sales@readingunitedac.com for all your group needs.
