The past several weeks have seen Reading eliminated by fellow Union-affiliate club Harrisburg City Islanders from US Open Cup as well as lose their first Mid-Atlantic conference game to the Long Island Rough Riders. After dropping two straight matches, Reading regained momentum and rattled off three straights wins to reclaim the top spot in the division. The race for a playoff spot is heating up down the stretch, with Reading currently holding a two point lead over the Long Island Rough Riders. However, the Rough Riders have a game in-hand and can recapture the top spot by claiming all of the available three points. The July 20th matchup between Reading and Long Island looks to be the most crucial of the remaining games and could very well determine which team will make the PDL playoffs. The notable absences of Virginia teammates Will Bates, Brian Ownby and Brian Span to trials in Europe saw the offense struggle until fellow teammates such as Lasse Sohrweide and Sean Peckham shouldered more of the offense.

United lose first of year 2-0 to the Long Island Rough Riders

Wearing pink jerseys in support of cancer awareness, Reading dropped it first game of the season 2-0 to Long Island. Reading had several chances early on but could not convert and was penalized when the Rough Rider’s Keith Detelj placed a powerful header in the corner of the net.  Long Island would grab a second in the 79th when Dom Sarle converted a penalty kick. Reading’s attack looked anemic on the night and much of that can be contributed to the absences of Brian Span, Brian Ownby and Will Bates, who were on a ten-day trial in Europe.

Reading drop U.S. Open Cup match versus affiliate USL Pro club Harrisburg

Reading United unfortunately was matched against the Harrisburg City Islanders in the first round of the U.S. Open Cup last Tuesday. The United dominated much of the first half and were able to go into halftime with a 1-0 lead courtesy of a David Rodriguez header. Throughout much of the night the contest was a physical battle, with Reading midfielder Stephen Okai earning a red card in the 53rd minute. Playing with ten men, Reading could not hold off the Islanders as former Philadelphia Union player JT Noone scored the equalizer in the 86th before Harrisburg’s Sainey Touray put in the game winner in stoppage time.

Reading defeat the Westchester Flames 2-0

The United got back on track at Don Thomas Stadium after two losses, defeating the Flames 2-0. German-born Lasse Sohrweide played a crucial role, contributing a goal and an assist while Brian Holt earned the shutout on the night. Warminster native Sean Peckham opened the scoring in the 29th, heading in a Sohrweide cross for the Lafayette product’s first of the year.

Jersey Express fall at home to Reading

Reading continued its winning ways this past Thursday by defeating the third place Jersey Express 3-1 at New Jersey Institute of Technology.  Christian Barreiro started the scoring in the beginning of the first half and the United added insurance goals from Lasse Sohrweide and Sean Peckham to close out the game. Libo Pila of the Express scored a late goal to avoid the shutout, with Reading keeper Brian Holt added five saves on the night.

Reading take down Brooklyn Knights 3-0 for third straight win

The United returned home Sunday night to take on the visiting Brooklyn Knights, who currently occupy last place in the Mid-Atlantic division. Reading’s attack was aided by the return of University of Virginia teammates Will Bates, Brian Ownby and Brian “Cobi” Span, as all three were back in the side after a two-week trial in Europe. Bates assisted on the first and second goals scored by Lasse Sohrweide and Sean Peckham, respectively. Ownby concluded the scoring on the night, courtesy of a Cobi Span assist, when he placed his shot into the back of the net to secure the win for Reading. With the victory, Reading moved to 10-1 on the season and remains on pace with the Long Island Rough Riders to secure a playoff spot. Reading will welcome the Bermuda Hogges to Don Thomas Stadium on July 8th. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:00pm.