Reading United News Release -- www.readingunitedac.com
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
FLEETWOOD, Pa. – The dark rain clouds that circled Fleetwood’s Ray Buss Stadium on Tuesday night were generally associated with the dark and ominous, something the United had gotten used to in their previous U.S. Open Cup experiences. Losing a lead late against Harrisburg last year, losing in double overtime to Real Maryland FC, such has been the recent track record of the United in the Cup.
Five years, five losses. But Ryan Finley’s goal and assist, paired with a game-saving stop in stoppage time by goalkeeper Emmanuel Martin, kept history from repeating itself in Reading’s 2-1 victory against the New York Greek American Atlas on Tuesday night.
United struck first in the 37th minute, as Ryan Finley sent a laser across the goal line which bounced off Greek American and United players alike, finally finding the sliding leg of Pedro Ribeiro for a 1-0 lead.
Finley would strike again ten minutes after the halftime break, following a free kick from Steven Neumann. After former Philadelphia Union defender Christian Arrieta was booked for a yellow, Neumann’s deftly placed reset found the Notre Dame product’s foot in the middle of the box for a 2-0 lead.
New York would strike back in the 64th minute, as Stephen Roche slotted home a Paul Shaw pass just under the crossbar. Then the game succumbed to the dark clouds during an hour and fifteen minute lightning delay.
This game had all the makings of the United’s previous trips to the tournament: grab an early lead, let it slip away late in the game, wait until next season. The frantic pace after the delay was eerily reminiscent of those games, as New York nearly broke through in stoppage time. A header near the back post was put on frame after a cross from the near side was whipped in with pace. The crowd drew a collective breath.
Martin’s diving stop to his right, punching away the last gasp effort by the Greek Americans allowed everyone to exhale. And, in turn, it also advanced the United to the second round of the tournament for the first time in team history.
They will face USL PRO’s Charleston Battery next Tuesday evening in Charleston, S.C. in the next round, with the victor facing an MLS team yet to be determined. Reading will get a chance to hone their attack this coming Saturday against the Long Island Roughriders, who coincidentally also won on Tuesday night in the U.S. Open Cup. They will face Reading’s opponent in two of the previous three U.S. Open Cup appearances, the Harrisburg City Islanders.
2012 Reading United Game Day Tickets and Season Tickets are now available at readingunitedac.com. Also available: Game Day Youth Packages, Group Discount Packages, Birthday Parties and Fundraising Ticket Packages. Contact Denise Strohmayr at denise@readingunitedac.com for all your group needs.