Reading United News Release -- www.readingunitedac.com
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
READING, Pa. – Reading United has played an important role in player development for the Philadelphia Union since the two clubs announced their partnership in December 2009. Building on that partnership, Reading United is pleased to announce that four members of the Philadelphia Union’s academy team have joined the club. Georgetown’s Keegan Rosenberry and Melvin Snoh, Penn State’s Shane Campbell and the University of Virginia’s Darius Madison will pull on a Reading jersey for the 2013 Premier Development League season.
Madison, a dynamic forward from the University of Virginia will bolster United’s attack. The FC Delco product played in 17 games for the Cavaliers, scored two goals and earned All-ACC Freshman team honors. Top Drawer Soccer ranked Madison as the 31st best freshman in college soccer. The Philadelphia native was called into U.S. Soccer’s Under-20 camp in December 2012 and again in January 2013.
Rosenberry, a midfielder from Georgetown University will partner with a familiar face in United’s midfield. Rosenberry, along with Reading captain, Steve Neumann, helped the Hoyas reach their first College Cup Final last December. The Lancaster Mennonite grad set up Neumann’s second goal in the semi-final match versus the University of Maryland. The native of Ronks, Pa. started 25 matches for Georgetown where he was credited with three assists during the Hoyas’ memorable march to the College Cup finals.
Snoh, a forward from Georgetown University will also join his fellow college teammates in Reading this summer. The Coatesville, Pa. native featured in 24 matches for the Hoyas’ soccer team, scoring one goal and providing two assists. The Malvern Prep alum made substitute appearances in the College Cup semifinal against Maryland and the final against Indiana.
Campbell will be the next in a long line of Nittany Lions to play their PDL soccer in Reading. Penn State soccer stars Corey Hertzog, Jacob Baron, Julian Cardona, Brian Forgue and United technical director Troy Snyder have all played for United over the years. The native of York, Pa. played club soccer for FC Delco, where he was captain for two years. In 2012, Campbell played in 16 games for the Big Ten regular season champions. The Dallastown Area High School grad was part of the Penn State defense that allowed the fewest shots in the Big Ten.
Reading United Head Coach and Philadelphia Union Assistant Coach Brendan Burke has had the unique opportunity to work with these four tremendously talented players through his work as the Union’s Reserve Team Coach and at the academy’s home at YSC Sports in Wayne.
“We are looking forward to further solidifying the relationship between the Philadelphia Union Academy and the first team," said Burke. "These players represent the first class of Academy players from Philadelphia coming to represent our PDL team. Keegan, Darius, Melvin, and Shane represent some of the premier college programs in the country and we expect them to be coming back into the program in excellent form this summer. Each of these guys have a distinctly different skill set and will help to maintain and raise the level of our program.”
Reading United kickoff their 2013 PDL campaign on May 11 at 7PM against the Westchester Flames. Tickets are available at www.readingunitedac.com. Reading United offer 2013 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.