Reading United AC

Reading United add three Union Academy grads

Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz. Reading United’s Colton Storm in action with the Union Reserves against New York Red Bulls Reserves in May, 2012

It was an already busy off-season for Reading United with former head coach Brendan Burke stepping down and Steve Neumann highlighting the Reading draft class being drafted fourth overall. On Thursday, Reading announced three Philadelphia Union Academy grads — Shane Campbell, Darius Madison, and Colton Storm — to the 2014 roster.

Roster additions

With their USL-PDL home opener on May 24, Reading announced their first three players to their 2014 roster. Campbell and Madison rejoin Reading’s Premier Development League team for a second straight season. Storm’s arrival to the team comes a year after playing for Reading’s Super-20 team  in 2013.

Reading’s affiliation and partnership with the Union has been key to Academy grads finding time on Reading’s rosters. Reading General Manager Art Auchenbach spoke about the importance of the partnership between the two sides.

“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 spoke highly of all three roster additions, pointing out the transition from the Super-20 team to the USL-PDL side to MLS.

”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 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 player 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.”

The addition of Campbell, Madison, and Storm to the Reading roster is the start of more announcements to come. Reading’s USL-PDL season opens on May 7 when they travel to Jersey Express. Game time is set to kickoff at 8:00 pm.

2014 US Open Cup

A week after opening their 2014 season, Reading begins their 2014 US Open Cup campaign.

US Soccer announced on Thursday that this year’s tournament features an expanded field of 80 teams. 19 of the 80 teams competing come from the USL-PDL. Four of the PDL teams enter in the first round, while 15 other PDL squads, including Reading, enter in the second round.

Reading will look to build on their perennial Open Cup success when they host NPSL side Greater Binghamton FC Thunder on May 14. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. at a location to be determined. The winner of the match will advance to the third round and play on May 28. 

 

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