Reading United Face Road Test Against Rivals Ocean City
Reading United A.C. will travel to the Jersey Shore on Saturday to face their longtime rivals, the Ocean City Nor’easters, in a clash for first place in the Premier Development League’s Mid-Atlantic Division at Carey Stadium. It will be the 40th meeting between two of the PDL’s most successful clubs.
Ocean City currently sits atop the Mid-Atlantic Division with a total of nine points from their first four matches of the 2016 campaign. The Nor’easters claimed the top spot with a come from behind 2-1 win on the road against Lehigh Valley United.
Chevaughn Walsh and Miguel Jamie have each scored four goals to lead Ocean City’s potent attack.
United head into the fray looking to bounce back after a disappointing 2-2 draw with the New York Red Bulls U23 squad. Paul Marie scored his third goal of the season while Brett Campbell scored for the second consecutive match. Reading held the 2-0 lead entering the 80th minute of play, but New York’s pressure paid dividends as the visitors scored twice in the game’s final seven minutes to earn the draw.
United are unbeaten in their last four matches against Ocean City and have lost to the Nor’easters just once in thirteen matches. Last season, Brett Campbell scored twice to help Reading earn a 2-0 home victory over the Nor’easters. In the return match, defender Martin Nygaard scored the game winning goal to help United score a 3-2 win on the road in Ocean City.
Reading will look to continue their recent form against Ocean City by relying on their potent attack led by the likes of Marie, Campbell and Brad Fountain. United have jumped out to first half leads in each of their league matches this season.
United’s defense, which has allowed just two goals in 490 minutes of play this season, will be called upon to blunt the Nor’easters formidable attack. Goalkeeper Steffen Kraus has kept four clean sheets for Reading in league and U.S. Open Cup play. Martin Nygaard’s return from an early season injury has given the Reading backline a boost. Billy McConnell, a Philadelphia Union Academy product, has been a fixture in Head Coach Stephen Hogan’s side, having played every minute for the club this season.
Reading’s next home match will be friendly against fellow Philadelphia Union affiliate Bethlehem Steel FC. The match will be played as part of the Philadelphia Union Festival, which will feature appearances by Union players. Tickets for the match against Bethlehem are available at www.readingunitedac.com or on game day at the Don Thomas Stadium ticket office. Reading United offer 2016 Game Day Youth Packages, Group Discount Packages, Birthday Parties and Fundraising Ticket Packages. Contact our ticket sales team at sales@readingunitedac.com for all your group needs.
