Reading United AC News Release -- www.readingunitedac.com
Thursday, April 24, 2014
READING, Pa. -- The path to PPL Park runs through Reading. For three graduates of the Philadelphia Union Academy, the dream of pulling on the Union blue and gold and playing in front of the Sons of Ben is within reach as they join Reading United A.C., Philadelphia's PDL player development affiliate, for the upcoming 2014 season.
Union Academy grads Shane Campbell and Darius Madison will return for their second season in Reading, while fellow academy product Colton Storm makes the jump from Reading’s Super-20 team to the PDL team for 2014.
In 2013, Shane Campbell played 11 games for Reading and was part of the defense that allowed the fewest goals in the ultra-competitive Mid Atlantic Division. The York, Pa. native followed up his summer with United by playing 21 matches for the Penn State Men's Soccer Team. The defender recorded two goals and an assist in helping the Lions win the Big Ten Regular Season Championship.
Following the 2014 PDL season, Campbell will transfer to collegiate soccer powerhouse, Louisville University. He'll look to follow Reading United alums Greg Cochrane and Jimmy Ockford, who were selected in the Major League Soccer SuperDraft after standout seasons with the Cardinals.
"From top to bottom, Reading is a top notch organization that I am privileged to be a part of again this summer," Campbell said of his return to United. "I am most looking forward to getting back together with my teammates, old and new, and getting after it every day in training. The caliber of players that come here every summer is outstanding and is a huge reason as to why all of us decide to play our summer ball here in Reading."
Philadelphia native Darius Madison will be back for his second season in Reading following a superb 2013 college season with the University of Virginia. The forward fired in six goals and three assists in helping the Cavaliers advance to the College Cup Final Four, hosted by the Philadelphia Union at PPL Park. Madison’s performance in the College Cup earned him All-Tournament Team honors to go along with All-ACC Second Team honors in 2013.
With Reading in 2013, Madison helped power United's offense as he scored three goals and recorded one assist. The speedy forward scored the game winning goal in United's victory over FC Lehigh Valley Sonic in the first round of the 100th edition of the U.S. Open Cup.
”I returned to Reading because that's where I feel at home. I love the facilities and coaching staff,” Madison said when asked why he chose to play with United.
Colton Storm joins a long list of University of North Carolina players who spent their summers playing for Reading United. Storm is a graduate of the Union's academy and turned in a strong freshman season with the Tar Heels. The native of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania played 13 matches for UNC in 2013. Ranked number 33 on Top Drawer Soccer's Top 150, Storm was a part of the U.S. Soccer Under-17 Residency program. The rising UNC sophomore returns to Reading United following a successful season with the club’s Super-20 team last summer.
As graduates of the Philadelphia Union’s Academy continue to populate the Reading United roster, club president Art Auchenbach discussed the importance of the affiliation between Reading and the Philadelphia Union. “We are very pleased that Reading United provides the best platform for the region’s premier youth soccer player. We have witnessed this already with guys like Zarek Valentin, Corey Hertzog, and Andrew Wenger. With the Philadelphia Union providing a clear path to the professional game, the Union Academy players have become instrumental to our continued growth and success."
Auchenbach continued, "Men like Darius Madison and Shane Campbell have been able to maintain their academy form and fitness as they transition to the college game and vice-versa. Colton Storm represents the next phase of our growth as he was instrumental to our Super 20 squad’s success last year. We are proud to provide the development platform that bridges between the Union Youth Academy and the Union professional phase (Harrisburg and Philadelphia). We fully expect the numbers and quality of players to continue to grow as the Union Academy players transition from our Super 20 to PDL to the professional game, much like Corey, Zarek, and Andrew have done before them. The best players know that Reading is the ideal summer destination to develop their skills for the professional game.”
Reading United opens the 2014 PDL season with a road match against the Jersey Express scheduled for Wednesday, May 7th. United will host the Baltimore Bohemians on Saturday, May 24th at 7 p.m.