PDL Game Report
Saturday, May 31, 2014
READING, Pa. – Sometimes the best offense is a good defense. On Saturday night, the Reading United defense scored two goals and kept a feisty F.A. Euro side off the scoreboard en route to a 3-0 win in front of a large hometown crowd at Wilson High School’s Gurski Stadium. United exploded for three second-half goals to stay unbeaten in league play in 2014. With the win, Reading kept pace with the Jersey Express in the race to claim the PDL’s Mid Atlantic Division title.
Looking to rebound from Tuesday’s loss to the Rochester Rhinos in the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, Head Coach David Castellanos took advantage of Reading’s roster depth and shuffled the line-up. Castellanos made eight changes to his starting line-up, with only Darius Madison, Oumar Ballo and Ignacio Maganto retaining their starting spots.
In the opening minutes of the match, each side looked to take charge of the game as the clubs exchanged possession in the midfield. United established its offensive rhythm as Madison marauded down the flanks of the F.A. Euro defense. United created the better scoring opportunities through the game's first 20 minutes. The Philadelphia Union Academy product drew a foul on the right side of F.A. Euro’s penalty area in the 22nd minute, resulting in a great free kick opportunity. On the resulting free kick, one of United’s attackers was fouled in the area and referee Eric Weisbrod pointed to the penalty spot. Madison stepped up to take the spot kick, but his effort was well saved by goalkeeper Stanley Purygin.
United applied heavy pressure on the F.A. Euro goal as they continued to search for an opener. Purygin kept his side in the match, making six first-half saves to deny Reading a goal. At the other end of the pitch, United’s defense blunted F.A. Euro’s attack. Chris Froschauer, making his second start of the season for Reading, only needed to make one save in the opening 45 minutes.
Looking for more offensive firepower, Castellanos inserted forward Nick Surkamp into the match to start the second half. United responded with Surkamp and Madison hooking up to pepper the F.A. Euro goal. The pressure would finally pay dividends in the game’s 53rd minute.
After winning a free kick on the right side of F.A. Euro’s penalty area, a short free kick found the feet of Wes Charpie. The defender hit a blistering cross into a packed penalty area. Purygin tried to cut out Charpie’s cross, but he spilled the ball to the feet of Rob Sagel and the Reading center back hammered the ball into the back of the net.
Having finally breached the F.A. Euro goal, United mounted continuous pressure as the home side looked to extend their advantage. In the 72nd minute, United won a throw in on the right side of the field. Surkamp, who specializes in long throw-ins, launched a throw into the penalty area. United center back Jack Webber rose above the crowd and headed home to double United’s advantage. Webber credited Surkamp for his goal saying, “Nick really helped me out. It was him setting me up and all I really had to do was be there and head it home.”
Reading capped the scoring in the 90th minute. Madison, who registered seven shots on goal during the match, attacked down the left flank and ran into the penalty area. With time and space to shoot, United’s leading scorer unleashed a thunderbolt that Purygin tipped. Racing in for the follow-up, Surkamp got a head to the rebound and knocked the ball over the goal line.
With the sound of the full time whistle, United celebrated their third straight win and their second straight clean sheet. Sagel summed up the team’s defensive performance: “When the backline can get results and goals and keep them off the scoreboard, it’s good day. We did well.” Coach Castellanos echoed his center back, “The backline, it was their night. Two great goals and the work they put in there. Good stuff by Jack and Rob tonight.”
Reading United return to Wilson High School’s Gurski Stadium on Wednesday, June 18th when they will host the fifth annual friendly with our player development partners, the Philadelphia Union. Tickets are available at www.readingunitedac.com. Reading United offer 2014 Game Day Youth Packages, Group Discount Packages, Birthday Parties and Fundraising Ticket Packages. Contact our ticket sales team at sales@readingunitedac.com for all your group needs.