Consistency key as unbeaten United welcome Evergreen
READING, PA (June 26, 2018) – Unbeaten Reading United A.C. (9-0-1) will look to strengthen their grip on the Premier Development League’s Mid-Atlantic Division when they face the winless Evergreen Hammers (0-8-1) on Friday, June 29th at Wilson High School’s Gurski Stadium.
United carry a four match winning streak into their showdown with the Hammers. Over those four matches, Reading have beaten playoff contenders Long Island Rough Riders and scored back-to-back wins over rivals, the Ocean City Nor’easters. Over that span, United have surrendered just one goal. Reading United currently own the the best defensive record in the entire PDL having conceded just three goals in 2018.
One of the big reasons for Reading’s defensive success is goalkeeper Bennet Strutz. The German-born Reading United back stop was named to Top Drawer Soccer’s Eastern Conference Team of the Week after posting back-to-back shutout wins last week. The Cumberland University standout has recorded five shutouts and sports a 6-0-1 record between the sticks for Reading.
Reading United’s offense has been a model of consistency, scoring two or more goals in eight of their nine wins this season. The United offense has been headlined by the goal scoring of midfielders Felipe Hideki and Aaron Molloy, the PDL’s Top Prospect and a leading contender for the league’s Most Valuable Player award. Each player has four goals.
Head Coach Alan McCann expects his side to maintain focus as the season enters it’s stretch run. McCann explained, “The keys for this game is to keep the consistency going. The level of our performances have to stay high and we’ll take each game one at a time to finish out the season. The lead is in our hands, we have to keep it in our hands and consistency is the key.”
Felipe feels his teammates are in great spirits as the PDL regular season reaches its climax. He says, “As the leaders of the conference, it helps our mood. We’re happy, we’re here to get better and we’ve been achieving our goals. That gives us some calm and confidence to keep going and finish the season storng.”
The Hammers, based out of Leesburg, Virginia, head to Reading sporting the worst record in the PDL Eastern Conference. Evergreen have managed to score just six goals in nine matches, while allowing 25 goals to their opponents. The Hammers arrive in Reading on an eight match losing streak.
United’s match against Evergreen will be part of Hometown Heroes Night presented by East Penn Manufacturing, an event that honors local first responders and military servicemen and women. The Reading United players will be wearing special edition Hometown Heroes jerseys that will be auctioned off during the match. Proceeds from the jersey auction will benefit Berks County based Keystone Military Families, a non-profit that aids local miltary service personnel and their dependants.
