Friday, July 13, 2012
READING, Pa. – Reading United took a 2-0 victory against the Ocean City Nor’easters on Friday night, keeping its hopes alive of winning the Mid Atlantic Division while also moving one point away from a berth in the PDL Playoffs. Steven Neumann had a goal and assist for Reading to lead his side to victory.
Reading was already behind the eight-ball to start its match against the Nor’easters, playing without the PDL’s leading scorer, Deshorn Brown, and two key defensive players, Greg Cochrane and Tolani Ibikunle. A collective sigh exhausted from Shirk Stadium after midfielder Stephen Okai picked up an early red card in the 31st minute, after a reckless tackle at midfield. Shortly after Okai was sent off, one of Reading’s top attacking options, forward Pedro Ribeiro, went down hard after a midfield collision, which looked to have separated his shoulder.
Despite the setbacks, Reading put on an impressive performance in the second half, playing arguably their best soccer of the year against an Ocean City side that was looking to wrap up the division with a win or tie. United held the Nor’easters to only one shot in the second half despite playing a man down. The defense, led by returning 2011 starter David Rodriguez, also stifled their league’s third-leading scorer, holding Zonchar Dennis to only two shots on the evening.
Neumann’s bending free kick from 20 yards out in the 56th minute proved to be the difference, and he also added his touch on Reading’s second goal of the game as his through-ball down the right side was tracked down by Paul Wyatt and slipped under a charging Jon McCarthy for a 2-0 advantage with 20 minutes to go.
The Reading win snapped an eight-game winning streak for Ocean City, which hadn’t lost since Reading downed them 2-1 on June 8th at Carey Stadium. Reading is now undefeated in its last six games, compiling a 4-0-2 record and +14 goal differential during their playoff push.
Emmanuel Martin made one save in the first half to record his sixth shutout of the year.
Reading still holds its playoff fate in its hands. The side has a chance at clinching the Mid Atlantic Division this Sunday, as United takes on the Central Jersey Spartans on the road. A United win, coupled with a Nor’easters loss against the Brooklyn Knights, would clinch Reading’s fourth division title in five years and fifth consecutive playoff appearance. There are numerous other possible playoff scenarios, but are dependent upon other games still to be played.