Reading United AC News Release -- www.readingunitedac.com
Friday, May 6, 2011
READING, Pa. – Reading United AC is proud to announce a series of “friendlies” against their professional partners, the Harrisburg City Islanders and Philadelphia Union! The City Islanders, who play a step above Reading United in the U.S. Soccer Pyramid at the USL PRO level, will come to Reading on May 24th, while the second-year Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer will visit just a week later on May 31st. Both games will be held at Exeter High School’s Don Thomas Stadium and kick off at 7:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. respectively.
This will be the second meeting between Reading and Philadelphia, as the Union earned a 2-0 victory over the United on June 23rd, 2010. An own goal by Reading’s Eric Schoenle off a deflection in the 34th minute and a Nick Zimmerman strike in the 59th minute were the only tallies in a tightly contested match. The match-up between Reading and Harrisburg will be the first since the City Islanders disposed of the former Reading Rage by a 4-1 tally in the first round of the 2009 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Harrisburg struck first a mere 43 seconds in the game, and never looked back in a physical, fast, and slippery competition on June 9, 2009.
In late 2009, Reading and Philadelphia inked a player development agreement that makes Reading the exclusive PDL Player Development Partner of the Philadelphia Union. The City Islanders signed a similar arrangement with Philadelphia, adding a professional team to the “Path to PPL Park”.
“The Philadelphia Union have provided a clearly defined path for the progression of soccer players in our region," said Reading United President Art Auchenbach. "Starting with YSC youth training, USSF Academy teams for top level U14-U18 youth talent, the Reading United Super 20’s and PDL squads, the professional level in Harrisburg (USL PRO), and finally to the MLS with Philadelphia, the Union have set the bar in the United States for a truly groundbreaking soccer hierarchy for our fans and players. These exhibition games will provide the fans, and our players, a small taste of what top level professional soccer is about!”
Reading United enjoyed immediate success from the partnership, having three players from last year’s team drafted into MLS (C.J. Sapong, Corey Hertzog, Levi Houapeu) and another signed as a homegrown player by the Houston Dynamo (Alex Dixon). Another two players from the 2010 roster have continued their playing careers in the professional ranks, both in the States (Luke Mulholland with the USL PRO’s Wilmington Hammerheads) and abroad (Jeremy Vuolo with AC Oulu in Finland).
"The Philadelphia Union are deeply committed to our player development partnership with Reading United and Harrisburg City Islanders." Union CEO and Operating Partner Nick Sakiewicz said. "These games give us an opportunity to get together in each respective market, bring some exciting soccer to town and see how the stars of the future match up against Major League Soccer professionals. We are honored to have such great partners."
The Union has also benefitted, using the relationship to gather an inside scouting report on their 2011 3rd round draft choice, and Reading United alumni, forward Levi Houapeu. The guidance of United Head Coach Brendan Burke at the PDL level impressed the Union, and named him as the inaugural Head Coach of the Union Reserves team. The City Islanders also contributed to the Union cause, as defender Sheanon Williams played the entire 2010 season in Harrisburg, before signing a professional contract with Philadelphia in late August.
“Sheanon is a great example of the value of this partnership," Harrisburg Head Coach Bill Becher said. "He did very well here in Harrisburg, and has moved on to play with the Philadelphia Union. The partnerships we have with Reading and Philadelphia are very important to the Islanders, and we have seen the benefits for all three organizations. We look forward to these relationships growing even stronger in the future.”
Tickets for the games will be available online at www.readingunitedac.com/store/tickets.html or gamedays at Don Thomas Stadium. Ticket costs are $10 each and are ALL general admission tickets. Fans can purchase a two game pack (tickets for both games) for $15. Reading United kickoff their 2011 PDL campaign with a May 7 visit to the Brooklyn Knights and return for their home opener on Sunday May 15 for the “Kickoff to Summer” against the NJ Rangers.