Reading United News Release -- www.readingunitedac.com
Friday, June 14, 2013
READING, Pa. – The Premier Development League Mid Atlantic Division's most competitive rivals renew acquaintances this Saturday at Exeter's Don Thomas Stadium. The two PDL heavyweights have met a total of 26 times, a history few rivalries in the PDL can match. The marquee match-up between Reading United (4-0-1) and the Ocean City Nor'easters (4-0-0) will be for first place in the division. Both teams enter the match with unbeaten records, with United holding a one-point lead in the standings.
Ocean City leads the series 13-9-4, but Reading has dominated in recent years. Under Head Coach Brendan Burke, United have never lost to the Nor’easters. Reading currently own a four match winning streak over their Jersey Shore rivals and have not lost a match in the series since May 2007.
Reading United team president Art Auchenbach spoke of the rich history of the rivalry. “Ocean City is one of the most storied franchises in the PDL. Our respective clubs competitive history can be traced to the former USISL D3 days (precursor to today’s USL PRO) and it has always been a battle between our two sides. I am hoping our 2013 squad will continue the success that Reading has enjoyed against Ocean City since Brendan has been our head coach. It’s hard to find quality derbies like this in the PDL, and we are relishing the opportunity to host them with first place in the division on the line.”
United enter the match on a five-match unbeaten run in league play, having allowed just two goals in those matches. In their last match, Reading defeated F.A. Euro-New York Magic, 3-2. Darius Madison opened the scoring in the 60th before Larry Ndjock scored twice in a five minutes span to stake United to a three-goal lead. Sloppy defending allowed the Magic to rally and score two very late goals.
United will be without the services of defender Damion Lowe, who be serving a one-match suspension after being shown a red card against FA Euro-New York Magic.
Reading captain Steve Neumann will also be back in the squad after a week-long training stint with Major League Soccer’s Portland Timbers.
Ocean City travels to Reading ready to defend their perfect record. The Nor’Easters earned a clinical 3-1 victory on the road over a very good Baltimore Bohemians side. In the match, Anthony Asante notched his fourth goal of the season and leads Ocean City in scoring. Zoncher Dennis also scored in the match and has now scored 13 goals in 18 career PDL matches. Though the Ocean City defense has failed to keep a clean sheet in league play, goalkeeper Brian Billings has helped to stabilize the backline with his 0.800 goals against average.
Reading United return to Exeter’s Don Thomas Stadium on Sunday, June 30th to for an important divisional match against the Jersey Express. 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.