United Start Final Home Stretch Against West Chester

Reading faces off against second-place United for third time this season

READING, PA (July 2, 2022) – Reading United starts off a three-game home stretch to finish the USL League Two regular season, with its destiny still largely in their own hands. A third and final matchup against West Chester United awaits this evening, beginning at 7:00 p.m. at Alvernia University.

Reading (4-3-4, 16 points) is coming off of a thrilling 3-2 victory over Real Central New Jersey, a match that saw Sam Hershey strike at the death to secure all three points on the road. United overcame two separate one-goal deficits as Alex Hajj netted the first tying goal, then assisted on Talla Faye’s second game-tying goal. Hershey’s game winner in the 94th minute propelled Reading into sole possession of third place in the Mid Atlantic Division with three games remaining.

Reading sits firmly within striking distance of second-place West Chester (6-3-1, 19 points), and can reach a mathematical tie in the standings with a victory tonight. The lads from Pretzel City still figure into the playoff race for a wild card bid, but are looking at an uphill task as Christos FC in the Chesapeake Division has the inside track to the extra bid, currently with 19 points and a pair of games in hand.

The two sides have split their previous appearances this season, with Reading shocking their neighbors to the southeast with a 3-1 win on May 18, but West Chester exacting revenge with a 5-0 blanking on June 21.

West Chester finds themselves in a similar situation as Reading, as two of its three losses have come at the hands of division-leading Ocean City, and its third coming from the split games between Reading and WCU. A 2-1 loss to the Nor’easters snapped a three-game winning streak, as an early 18th minute goal was nullified by a game-tyer from former Reading midfielder Nick Pariano, who then assisted on the game winner in the second half.

United continues its regular season ending stretch on July 9 and 16, filling the stands with soccer action at Alvernia University with a 7:00 p.m. kickoff planned for each contest. Game day tickets for all remaining home dates are available for purchase at readingunitedac.com for just $7+fees or for $10 at the gate.