Reading United, Long Island play to 1-1 draw
Reading United A.C. entered Wednesday night’s clash with the Long Island Rough Riders in firm control of the lead atop the USL League 2 Mid-Atlantic Division. When the full time whistle sounded, Reading maintained their vice grip on the division lead despite settling for a 1-1 draw against visiting Long Island at Wilson High School’s Gurski Stadium. Reading midfielder Felipe Hideki netted his second goal of the season in the first half but Long Island defender Anthony Alfonso’s late goal meant the teams would share the points.
United got things going with an up tempo attack that caused trouble for the visitor’s. In the 18th minute, Theo Quartey started an attacking move down the left flank before cutting into the box. The winger danced through the Long Island defense and laid a square ball for Hideki who laced a low shot into the net to give Reading a 1-0 lead.
A lapse in the Reading United defense gifted Long Island their first real scoring opportunity in the 39 th minute. Rough Riders forward Matt Sloan ghosted in between the Reading centerbacks and headed an open chance just inches wide.
A tactical switch to a 4-3-3 formation by the Rough Riders to start the second half gave the Mid-Atlantic Division leaders fits throughout the remainder of the game.
In the 50th minute, miscommunication along the Reading backline nearly gifted Long Island an equalizer. United goalkeeper Simon Lefebvre, making his debut for Reading, quickly cleaned up the chance before Manuel Ferriol could poke the ball in the net.
Lefebvre stayed busy in the second half. The towering French goalkeeper made a clutch stop on a Long Island free kick in the 63 rd minute.
Long Island’s continued pressure finally paid off in the 77th minute. A long throw-in from the right sideline sailed into a very congested Reading penalty area. Rough Riders defender Anthony Alfonso reacted quickest and he stabbed the ball into Reading’s goal to tie the game at 1-1. The goal broke United’s seven game shutout streak, which dated back to Reading’s second game of the 2019 campaign.
The Rough Riders nearly stole all three points when Tim Estermann lashed a shot from distance that looked destined for the back of the net only to see Lefebvre making a spectacular leaping save to palm the ball over the crossbar.
In stoppage time, it was Reading’s turn to try to clinch all three points. In the third minute of stoppage time, Seth Kuhn took a quick corner kick that found an unmarked Oakley Hanger at the far post. The English defender thumped a header on target, but his effort was well saved by Long Island goalkeeper Joshua Levine.
The draw means United’s unbeaten streak now stands at 28 games. United also hold a commanding ten point lead over second place Long Island at the top of the Mid-Atlantic Division with just four matches remaining in the 2019 regular season.
Reading will continue their homestand at Gurski Stadium on Saturday, June 29th when they welcome the New York Red Bulls U23s. The match will be part of Reading’s annual Hometown Heroes Night in which the club honors local servicemen, veterans and first responders. Tickets for the match can be purchased online at www.readingunitedac.com/tickets.
