Reading United AC News Release -- www.readingunitedac.com
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
READING, Pa. – With less than two weeks until Reading United kicks off the 2013 Premier Development League season, the club has added three more very talented players to the roster. Fatai Alashe, Wes Charpie and Ben Sweat, pictured, will call Reading home during United’s 2013 campaign.
Alashe is a holding midfielder from Michigan State University. Alashe, a sophomore for the 2012 Big Ten Conference Tournament Champions, started 22 of 23 games for the Spartans. The native of Northville, Mich. recorded a goal and five assists for MSU in 2012, following a 2011 season that saw Alashe earn Big Ten All-Freshman team honors. The midfielder was also a part of the Columbus Crew’s U19 Boys Team that won the United States Youth Soccer National Championship. When United Head Coach Brendan Burke described Alashe’s style of play, he referenced Reading’s most recent captain. “He is hard, fast and reads the game very well. He should fill the hole left by Stephen Okai very, very well for us.”
Charpie joins United after a successful sophomore season at the University of South Florida. The midfielder appeared in 19 matches for the Bulls, scoring two goals and recording three assists. The native of Tarpon Springs, Fla. spent the summer of 2010 training in England with Premier League clubs Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers. Charpie was also a part of the Crew’s U19 Boys Team in 2012. Coach Burke envisions the USF midfielder adding width to United’s attack. “Wes Charpie is being brought in from USF where he has been an important part of their team as a wide player and more recently a left back.”
Sweat, a junior from South Florida, joins United after appearing in 18 matches for the Bulls. The left back scored two goals and recorded two assists for USF in 2012. Sweat comes to Reading with PDL experience on his resume, appearing in 13 matches VSI Tampa Bay in 2012. The native of Palm Harbor, Fla. also spent time over the summer of 2012 trialing with Swedish Allsvenskan club, Djurgarden. Coach Burke has high hopes for the USF defender. “Sweat is being brought in to replace Greg Cochrane at left back. He has been very successful as an attacking left back at USF over the last few years and is a top prospect at that position.”
Reading United kickoff their 2013 PDL campaign on Saturday, May 11 at 7pm against the Westchester Flames. All United home games will be played at Exeter Township High School’s Don Thomas Stadium in Reiffton, PA. 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.