Open Cup run ends with 3-0 loss to Harrisurg

READING, PA (May 31, 2017) – The clock struck midnight on Reading United’s 2017 U.S. Open Cup run as the Harrisburg City Islanders ran out of Exeter High School’s Don Thomas Stadium with a 3-0 win. Harrisburg scored twice in the game’s opening fifteen minutes and put the game out of reach just five minutes into the second half to seal a trip to Chester, Pennsylvania’s Talen Energy Stadium for a Fourth Round encounter with the Philadelphia Union.

Reading opened the match brightly, putting their professional opposition on the back foot from the opening whistle but quickly found themselves trailing. Former Reading United star Pedro Ribeiro rumbled into the United penalty and flicked a ball toward the penalty spot where Danny Diprima calmly slotted his shot to the back post to give the City Islanders an early 1-0 lead.

Undeterred, United charged forward looking for the equalizer. The home side peppered the City Islanders goal and if not for some of heroic work by Harrisburg goalkeeper Sean Lewis, who made seven first half saves, United could have netted a goal on several occasions.

Harrisburg extended their lead in the 15th minute as City Islanders defender Abass Mohammed sent a long diagonal ball across the field to  winger Jacob Bond. Bond took the ball down and beat United defender Evan Finnegan on the dribble before firing a shot past Reading goalkeeper Ben Beaury to double Harrisburg’s advantage.

The City Islanders ended any hopes of a Reading comeback just after halftime. Harrisburg caused a turnover in midfield and launched a counterattack through Ribeiro. The former Reading man outmuscled United centerback Lamine Conte and squared a ball across the face of goal. Bond was the man on the spot again and poked the ball past Beaury to stretch Harrisburg’s lead to 3-0.

Reading were unable to conjure up any chances to find a way back into the match as the City Islanders defense remained compact and organized until the final whistle.

United Head Coach Stephen Hogan reflected on his team’s run in the Open Cup following the match, saying, “I’m very proud of them, I always am. They’re a great bunch but they need to understand what’s at stake and if they don’t put the ball in the net, there’s going to be consequences.”

Reading United will look to shake off the loss to Harrisburg as they continue their 2017 Premier Development League campaign on Friday, June 2nd when they host their archrivals, the Ocean City Nor’easters at Don Thomas Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:30pm with tickets available online. All United home matches throughout the 2017 PDL season will be played at Exeter Township Senior High School. Tickets for the all regular season matches are available at 9h9.f8e.myftpupload.com/. Contact our ticket sales team at sales@readingunitedac.com for all your group needs.

READING UNITED LINE-UP
GK – Ben Beaury; DEF – Rob Campbell, Emmanuel Chanis, Lamine Conte, Evan Finnegan (Kaelon Fox 84′); Aaron Molloy, Zach Zandi (Jorge Guinovart 63′), Hugo Delhommelle; FWD – Jelani Pieters (Mo Conde 63′), Frantzdy Pierrot, Marco Micaletto
(Unused Subs: Ben Lundt, Will Campbell, Raheem Taylor-Parkes, J.J. Williams)

SCORING SUMMARY

HCI – Danny DiPrima (Pedro Ribeiro) – 8′
HCI – Jacob Bond (Abass Mohammed) – 15′
HCI – Jacob Bond (James Thomas) – 50′