United Look Clinch Division On The Road Against Ocean City
For the second straight season, Reading can clinch a playoff spot with a road victory over Nor’easters
OCEAN CITY, NJ (July 6th, 2019) – Reading United will make their last regular season road trip this Sunday, as they travel to take on the Ocean City Nor’easters. The crew out of Reading has their eyes on extending their regular season unbeaten streak to an even 30 games and their road unbeaten streak to 16 games. After a week (and a day) off from playing, United are hungry to clinch the Mid Atlantic Division title with a road victory at Ocean City for the second straight season.
This match will mark the 50th meeting between the two clubs, with Reading leading the all-time series 22-20-7, including a 15-2-3 stretch since the 2011 season. It’s a mark of longevity that few teams can boast at the USL League Two level can boast, starting back on July 11, 1997 in a 2-0 victory at Fleetwood High School for the former Reading Rage against the visiting Ocean City Barons.
The last matchup between these two clubs was hosted in the 610. Goals from Reading’s Simon Becher and Felipe Hideki advanced them ahead of Ocean City. United outshot the Nor’easters 14-5, in a comprehensive performance that pushed Ocean City’s playoff hopes to the brink.
Last Saturday night, after the drama of a thunderstorm which brought with nearly an hour delay, the home team ended in a 2-2 draw with the visiting New York City Red Bulls U23s. United and their fans were in a very unfamiliar territory entering halftime down 2-0. But two late goals from Simon Becher and Felipe Hideki, in the 82nd and 90th minute, kept Reading within range of their second straight undefeated season, their second straight Mid Atlantic division title, and an even 30 games without a loss in the regular season.
The last time that the Nor’easters stepped onto the pitch they tied Evergreen FC Hammers 2-2 on their last road game of the season. This was Ocean City’s fourth tie of the season, three out of the four in which they were visitors. From this result, they remain in third place in the Mid Atlantic Division with 19 points right below second place Long Island Rough Riders.
Reading will be back at Gurski Stadium for three games following their match in Ocean City. They’ll be playing in their last two regular season games, and then on July 16th, they’ll play in a friendly match for our annual Union Festival. Catch all the action live by purchasing regular season tickets at readingunitedac.com/tickets for $5 until 5:00 pm on game day and will jump to $10 at the gate. Union Festival tickets are $10 both online and at the gate. All games will be at Wilson High School’s Gurski Stadium at 7:00 pm.
