Rivals collide as United host Ocean City
Jelani Pieters battles for possession in last season home match against Ocean City (Photo Credit: Dave Musante/Penn Images)
READING, PA (June 2, 2017) – Reading United A.C. (2-1-0) will look to put the disappointment of Wednesday night’s loss in the U.S. Open Cup in the rear view mirror and get back on track when they host their longtime rivals, the Ocean City Nor’easters (3-1-0) at Don Thomas Stadium on Friday June 2nd. The kickoff for the Premier Development League match is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. This will be the 43rd meeting between the Mid-Atlantic Division clubs, one of the oldest rivalries in the PDL.
United enter the match after suffering a 3-0 defeat to the Harrisburg City Islanders in the Third Round of Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Head Coach Stephen Hogan will be looking for a response from his team. “In every bad moment, I look for a response. I need a response on Friday,” Coach Hogan said.
Reading will look to continue their excellent form in Premier Development League Mid-Atlantic Division play. In their last PDL outing, United defeated F.A. Euro, 2-0. Hugo Delhommelle continued his excellent play for United by contributing a goal and assist. Mohammed Conde added the other goal in the contest.
With the race for the division title just heating up, Friday night’s match will be the first of three pivotal meetings between the clubs. Reading United A.C. currently sits in third place in the Mid-Atlantic Division table, with a game in hand on the Nor’easters. Ocean City are currently tied for first place with New York Red Bulls U23 with nine points.
Ocean City heads to Reading with a three point lead on United. Even though, the Nor’easters started PDL action with three straight wins, New York Red Bulls U23 most recently defeated them, 3-1.
Last season, United got the better of Ocean City in the regular season. In the club’s first meeting of 2016, Zach Zandi’s brace and some goalkeeping heroics by Ben Beaury saw United take a 2-0 victory at Ocean City. In the return match at Reading, Chevaughn Walsh looked to have grabbed the Nor’easters a share of the spoils with an equalizing goal in stoppage time, but Paul Marie scored at the death as United won 4-3.
In a match filled with some of college soccer’s best prospects, the match-up between United’s Jorge Guinovart and Ocean City’s Igancio Tellechea will be one to watch. Guinovart returned to action for Reading after suffering a head injury in Reading’s first game of the season. He was placed on the Top 50 PDL Prospect List (No.34) and is a very promising player with tremendous vision, a silky, smooth touch and a willingness to drive at defenders.
Tellechea leads the Nor’easters with three goals. The UC-Santa Barbara product was also named to the PDL Top 50 Prospects, ranked 20th. He has been a shining light for Nor’easters this season and Reading’s backline will need to be aware of him.
Reading United will hit the road for two matches before returning to Don Thomas Stadium on June 17th when they host the New York Red Bulls U23 in Premier Development League action. Kickoff is set for 7:30pm with tickets available online.
