Reading United AC

Reading United AC declines 2020 US Open Cup entry due to ‘abhorrent’ schedule change, more teams to follow

December 17, 2019 by Josh Hakala

Players from Reading United celebratea goal scored against Philadelphia Lone Star in the First Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Matt Ralph | Brotherly Game — Players from Reading United celebrate a goal scored against Philadelphia Lone Star in the First Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Matt Ralph | Brotherly Game

UPDATE: USL League Two champion Flint City Bucks sitting out 2020 US Open Cup after schedule ‘travesty’

When the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) announced that the opening round of the 2020 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup would begin in late March, several likely participants from the Open Division level were disappointed. By starting the 107th tournament the week of March 23-24, all current NCAA players would not be allowed to play.

This creates a significant problem for National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) and USL League Two (USL-2) teams that rely on college players to fill out their roster every year.

As a result of this change, Reading United AC (USL League Two), one of the most successful Open Division teams of the Modern Era (1995-present) announced they are declining to enter the 2020 US Open Cup.

According to a release by the team sent out on Tuesday:

“Unfortunately, the revised schedule is nothing short of damning to a large population of the US Soccer market, particularly the U-20-U23 player pool. Per NCAA data, there are over 25,000 student athletes participating in NCAA soccer. Statistically, this player age group is the strongest athlete player pool available and who have shown the greatest success in the modern history of the US Open Cup. While the path to a professional soccer career is changing in the United States, the data shows that the majority of players (over 80%) who have been drafted, or signed, by a Major League Soccer, USL Championship, or USL League One team have played for teams in USL League Two!”

The release does not mince words when it comes to the club’s opinion of the decision. It continues:

This abhorrent scheduling decision forces the top USL League Two and NPSL teams, who afford an Open Cup playing opportunity to NCAA and U23 players in the USA, to completely modify how they structure a team, or worse, forces them to relinquish their deserved spot to a lower ranked team.

The lack of consideration for such a large player pool is astonishing. We are concerned this is another example of the public perception of the “tone deafness” that exists within US Soccer. We truly do not understand why US Soccer would essentially eliminate the playing opportunity for what is truly the best soccer player pool, outside of the professional ranks, in the United States.

By withdrawing from the 2020 tournament, it bring an end to the longest qualifying streak of any Open Division team in the Modern Era. Reading has qualified for the last 11 competitions, dating back to 2009. Only one team among all of the Open Division clubs has an active streak of more than seven (NTX Rayados has qualified nine years in a row). Reading has nine US Open Cup wins all-time as a USL-2 team, and out of all of the USL-2 and NPSL teams in the Modern Era, only three (Flint City Bucks, Des Moines Menace, Ocean City Nor’easters) have more wins. (Including one PK shootout win, they have advanced 10 times, which also ranks fourth). Reading has also upset two professional teams: Harrisburg City Islanders (USL Pro) in 2013 and the New York Cosmos (NASL) in 2017.

Reading United also have a strong league resume with six division titles, 11 playoff appearances, and two championship game appearances (2018, 2019) in the last 12 seasons.

With Reading’s qualifying streak coming to an end, The Villages SC (USL-2) currently have the longest active streak among Open Division National clubs with seven. According to TheCup.us projections, they are expected to make the cut for 2020.

According to multiple sources, Reading is not the only club that is considering withdrawing from the 2020 tournament with one significant team expected to make an announcement in the coming days. Other teams have informed TheCup.us that they are also debating whether or not to decline. Stay tuned for updates.

MORE: Which NPSL teams will qualify for 2020 US Open Cup?

MORE: Which USL League Two teams could qualify for 2020 US Open Cup?

MORE: 2020 US Open Cup Projections: Possible format and who could play in 107th tournament this Spring

2019 US Open Cup Round 2: USL champion Louisville City use local flavor to shut out Reading United

May 16, 2019 by Daniel Karell

Sunny Jane of Louisville City takes a free kick against Reading United AC in the Second Round of the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: EM Dash Photography

With goals from Abdou Mbacke Thiam, George Davis IV, and Sunny Jane, Louisville City FC comfortably defeated USL League Two side Reading United AC 3-0 in front of 1,468 fans at Lynn Stadium on the campus of the University of Louisville.

The game had a strong local flavor, with Louisville native Chris Hubbard starting in goal; fellow Louisville native Richard Ballard appearing off the bench; and Geoffrey Dee, a former member of the Louisville Cardinals men’s soccer team, starting in central midfield. Local 16-year-old high school prodigy Elijah Wydner also made his professional debut, coming off the bench in the 89th minute to a standing ovation.

Despite Reading United entering the match hoping to be “giant killers,” Louisville City imposed itself on the match early. After a couple of early chances, veteran midfielder Niall McCabe delivered a low-driven ball across the face of goal. Both Sunny Jane, another player who spent time in Louisville, and Thiam, a rookie, made runs into the box and it was Thiam who came up with the goal-scoring touch. The goal put Louisville City up 1-0 in the 12th minute.

Thiam nearly doubled the score four minutes later, but a strike from him after a scramble in the box was parried away by Reading United goalkeeper Tor Erik Larsen. However, it was the veteran Davis who showed he still could flash some nifty footwork and skill despite being a decade older than some of the Reading United players. Thiam found Davis open on the left. Davis motioned to pass across the box, but he cut back across his left and dribbled on goal. He eventually rounded the goalkeeper and put a shot in off a defender to make it 2-0.

“ good buildup, Abdou got it wide to me,” Davis said. “I got myself isolated in the box. I was looking to pick somebody out but I just kept getting closer to goal. I took my opportunity and luckily it went in.”

Back-to-back @USLChampionship champs (& 2018 Open Cup Quarterfinalists) @loucityfc move through to the Third Round after a comprehensive 3-0 win over @ReadingUnited.

? Highlights | #USOC2019 pic.twitter.com/vevrUgzDfC

— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) May 16, 2019

Despite trailing and Louisville City feeling comfortable in the first half, Reading United grew into the game, especially after the hour mark. US youth international Jeremy Rafanello created some opportunities for his teammates in attacking midfield, and Goncalo Garcia had a breakaway on goal after a Louisville City defensive error, but Garcia put his shot wide of goal.

“First half, they exposed us,” Reading United coach Alan McCann said. “We sat off too deep, not recognizing when to go and press. Second half we changed a few things early on and we were very impressed with our boys. 61st minute on, if we nab a goal, it changes the tide. It’s shop window time for our boys as always and it’s great lessons for us for the rest of the USL League 2 season. We’ve got to score our chances and a pro team does what a pro team will do. They punished us.”

As the game wound down, Louisville City brought on Ballard for his first appearance since September 11, 2018, and in the final moments of the match, giving a professional debut to Wydner, who at 16 becomes the youngest Louisville City debutant.

After Niall McCabe was taken down just outside of the box in the 88th minute, Jane stepped up and delivered a wonderful free kick, up and over the Reading United wall for the game’s third goal. It put the cherry on what had been a comprehensive victory.

“It was just a wonderfully taken free kick,” Hackworth said.

With the win, Louisville City advances to Round 3, where it will play Birmingham Legion on May 29, back at Lynn Stadium in Louisville.

“At the end of the day that’s exactly what we wanted and needed,” said Louisville City coach John Hackworth. “We had a lot of objectives coming into this game and I think we accomplished all of them.”

2019 US Open Cup Round 1: Reading United hold off Philadelphia Lone Star to extend win streak record

May 9, 2019 by Matt Ralph

Reading United is into the Second Round for the eighth consecutive year after staving off a late Philadelphia Lone Star surge that included a controversial offside call that went in the home team’s favor.

The Philadelphia Union USL League Two affiliate opened the scoring in the 18th minute when Union Academy grad and Penn State forward Jeremy Rafanello was able to blast home a shot past goalkeeper Vinny Tasca.

Reading United Philadelphia Lone Star 2019 US Open Cup — Photo: Matt Ralph | Brotherly Game

“I pretty much had the ball at midfield and I passed it off to Felipe , he dribbled through and got a little touch and the Lone Star guy got a little touch and it came off to me and I decided to hit it one time,” said Rafanello, who made his US Open Cup debut in the match. “It felt good.”

Rafanello would register a brace and give Reading a 2-0 lead two minutes later when he converted from the spot following a penalty Hideki was able to earn with another run into the box.

After dominating in the first half, Reading had a letdown in the second half, allowing Lone Star to push further up the field and get back into the match when Shawn Genus was able to tap home a rebound off a shot from Deron Joe. The goal was with the run of play as Lone Star found it easier to put their stamp on the game than they did in the first half.

Union Academy grad Marco Bla nearly found an equalizer for Lone Star when he sent a looping shot in that Tor Erick Larsen had to tip over.

Controversy struck after the ensuing corner when it appeared as though Anthony Allison had tied the game up with a goal off the corner kick. The celebration that erupted among the traveling Lone Star fans who made the trip and on the field was abruptly halted by the offside flag. Replays show that it appeared as though Allison was onside on the play.

Not a great angle but this was the @PhillyLoneStar goal that was waived off for offsides #USOC2019 pic.twitter.com/tmkqK6Ij77

— Brotherly Game (@BrotherlyGame) May 9, 2019

“I don’t know if it was offside or not, I couldn’t see, but if it wasn’t that’s unlucky for them,” Reading United head coach Alan McCann said. “That’s not a good way to go out. I said to their coach they deserve better.”

The Philadelphia Lone Stars had an equalizer ruled offside in their First Round match in the 2019 US Open Cup. This screen shot shows the play that was ruled offside.

Larsen was the far less active of the two keepers on the night. Tasca was forced into some spectacular saves, including one early on an Aaron Molloy free kick and another on Rafanello’s hat trick bid early in the second half. Reading’s offense took a blow when Union Academy grad Kalil ElMedkhar went down late in the first half with a shoulder injury and they never fully recovered from his absence in the lineup.

The second round has become a familiar destination for Reading United early in their season with them making it out of the first round each of the past eight years, which is a Modern Era record among all Open Division clubs. The streak is the fourth-longest streak of any club.

The loss for Lone Star was their second in the first round of the competition after falling to Ocean City Nor’easters (USL League Two) in the first round in 2017.

“They fought hard, it was a hard game,” Lone Star head coach Fatoma Toray said. “First half we didn’t play so well but second half we came in and were on the front foot. I’m proud of my boys.”

.@PhillyLoneStar, playing in their 2nd Open Cup, put up a good fight, but @ReadingUnited move on to the Second Round for a 2nd straight year. GAME ? HIGHLIGHTS⤵️ #USOC2019 pic.twitter.com/7645pavPjA

— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) May 9, 2019

2018 US Open Cup Round 2: Richmond Kickers break ‘curse’ with PK win over Reading United

May 19, 2018 by Matt Ralph

After coming up empty in their two previous trips to Pennsylvania in league play, the Richmond Kickers finally had something to celebrate on the four-hour bus ride back to Virginia on Wednesday night: advancing in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

“Pennsylvania seemed a little cursed to us,” goalkeeper Trevor Spangenberg said after Wednesday’s penalty shootout win in Reading, referring to 4-1 and 3-1 losses in two previous trips this season to play Bethlehem Steel FC in USL play.

Spangenberg didn’t start either of those matches — on-loan D.C. United goalkeeper Travis Worra got the call both times — but was a big reason why the Kickers are moving on to the third round of the competition after making eight saves and stopping two shots in the penalty shootout.

“It’s definitely been a while since I’ve been in a penalty shootout but we prepared all week for it, we know that situation can arise in the Open Cup, anything can happen,” he said. “Reading played a great game; it’s nice to just close out there and the bus trip home is a little more happy.”

Like they did at home last week in a Round 1 game against Christos FC (the team that upset Richmond in last year’s tournament), Reading fell behind early when Koby Osei-Wusu cleaned up a rebound in the 8th minute off a shot from Heveil Cordoves and then spent much of the rest of the half controlling possession but coming up empty in their search for an equalizer.

Reading’s team had five changes to the starting lineup from last week, which they had only two training sessions to prepare for in their first game of 2018. As an amateur team filled with college players on varying final exam schedules, it’s a scenario the Philadelphia Union Premier Development League affiliate faces every May.

“It’s just impossible to really prepare because there are four or five individuals we haven’t seen before even from the first game,” Kickers head coach Leigh Cowlishaw said. “After the goal we scored, it was one-way traffic (for Reading).”

The tying goal finally came for Reading in the 70th minute when substitute Austin Maloney made a darting run down the right flank and served a cross in to Khori Bennett, who flicked it home to even the score at 1-1.

“Austin’s come in and we also put Khori up at the nine too so happy with the return there,” head coach Alan McCann said. “Austin’s come in and taken the defender on directly, which we ask our lads to do on the wing. He has a low-driven ball and Khori finishes it. Very happy with that but we need to be taking more.”

It was another run and pass from Maloney in extra time that set up Alex Lipinski for a would-be winner that hit the right post. Defender Will Campbell also hit the post on a shot attempt that would have saved the eventual heartache in the penalty shootout. An Oscar Umar ejection with five minutes left in overtime gave the Reading offense one more boost in the final five minutes plus stoppage time. Umar saw red for contact to the face of a Reading player.

In the end, the small differences between a professional team and an amateur one filled with professional hopefuls determined the outcome. Reading outshot Richmond 21-8 for the match.

“That’s what pro teams do, they punish you when you don’t take your chances,” McCann said. “These are the harsh lessons they learn now for when they do make the jump. That’s what we take out of it.”

Cowlishaw admitted that his team was “very fortunate” to get to penalties and will take solace in knowing they get to play another Pennsylvania team — Penn FC — at home in the next round on May 23. Penn FC topped FC Motown 3-1 on Wednesday night to advance.

“I think we regrouped in overtime and finally got control of the game,” Cowlishaw said. “I was very confident we’d win on penalties because of Trevor and I knew the guys who would be stepping up to take them.”

Richmond won the shootout 4-3 with Neil Hlavaty’s kick holding up as the decisive one when Spartenberg, who has made only one start in USL play this season, stopped Bennett’s attempt in the fifth round of spot kicks. Spartenberg also saved Lipinski’s attempt while Reading keeper Bennet Strutz made the first save of the shootout on Mekeil Williams.

“Like the last game I was frustrated; we should’ve finished it off in regulation or overtime,” McCann said. “And here we are again.”

Notes

-The announced attendance for the game at Alvernia University was 119. The rainy weather from start to finish certainly played a part in that. While Reading United trains and boards players at Alvernia University, they are playing their home games this season at Wilson High School’s Gurski Stadium.

-Richmond advanced to the third round for the first time since 2016 but has now made it to the Third Round or further in eight of the last nine years.

2018 US Open Cup Round 1: Cup veterans Reading United edge 2017 darling Christos FC in PKs

May 11, 2018 by Sean Maslin

Sometimes a little bit of patience and a little bit resolve goes a long way. After going down a goal early against Christos FC in their Lamar Hunt US Open Cup First Round match, Reading United AC buckled down and went to work. Thanks to a second half goal and five successful penalty kick strikes, Reading ousted last season’s Cinderella 5-4 in PKs.

Reading United, one of the powers of the Premier Development League (PDL), are making their 10th consecutive appearance in the US Open Cup, which is the Modern Era’s longest qualifying streak of any open division team in the country.

After such an enthralling run last during last year’s Open Cup one might expect Christos FC to have a bit of a hangover. Instead the club took the game right to Reading’s defense using their size in the final third to open up play. It paid off in just the 4th minute when midfielder Tyler Rudy found space deep inside Reading territory. He made the most of his chance, hitting a low effort past goalkeeper Bennet Strutz to give his side the 1-0 advantage.

Despite going down early, Reading resisted the urge to pack it in and instead forced Christos into a defensive posture. The Reading attack focused on opening up space down the right flank with midfielders James Merriam and Khori Bennett creating space against the Christos defense. Merriam would go directly at Christos centerbacks Malcolm Harris and Larry Cornish, then hit Bennett on the outside. The move nearly paid off in the 29th minute when Bennett found some space to the right of goal and hit a low, pacey shot on target. While the effort was close goalkeeper Phil Saunders was more than up for the task making the diving save to preserve the advantage.

Saunders would be tested again in the 37th minute when midfielder Alexander Lipinski hit a dangerous chances at the top of the eighteen yard box. Reading would have another chance just before halftime to even things up on a set piece chance from Aaron Molloy. His low curling effort made it into the box but was cleared away by Malcolm.

In the second half, the Reading coach made an early tactical shift bringing in Sebastian Hauret in the 56th minute. The move paid off for the Pennsylvania-based side as he made a darting run down the right flank just minutes into his appearance. His pass inside found forward Kieran Roberts inside Christos’ eighteen. He made the most of his chance hitting a low shot past Saunders to tie things at 1-1.

The remainder of regulation would find the two sides working from the outside inwards, hoping for a little space and a bit of luck. Reading nearly struck first with Hauret in the 83rd minute turning around Joseph Glos and hitting a shot with some pace. But Saunders was up for the challenge easily catching the ball, making the save and ending the chance.

Jimae Merriam had perhaps the best crack at goal for Christos in the 90th minute with a thunderous crack from right at the eighteen. His shot appeared to be beyond the grasp of Strutz but also just went over the bar, sending the match to overtime.

While extra time provided some interesting moments the deadlock remained and penalties were needed to decide things. In penalties the two sides would trade goals throughout the final round with Chris Panian of Christos FC would have his attempt saved and Kieran Roberts of Reading sealing things up with their fifth and final kick.

With the shootout win, Reading advances beyond the opening round for the seventh year in a row. United moves on to the next round of US Open Cup play where they will take on the USL’s Richmond Kickers next Wednesday at Alvernian University at 7 p.m. EST.

2017 US Open Cup Round 3: City Islanders prove themselves in 3-0 win over Reading United

June 1, 2017 by Stephen Valenti

Starting strong was the number one priority for the Harrisburg City Islanders coming into the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Third Round.

Facing an amateur team for the second consecutive round, it was imperative to demonstrate they were the better side as professionals.

That is exactly what the City Islanders did with two goals in the first 15 minutes to eliminate Reading United AC with a 3-0 win Wednesday at Don Thomas Stadium.

“We came out to prove we were the professional side,” Harrisburg midfielder Jake Bond said. “We said we were going to be the dominant ones. Come out the first 15 and set the dominance.

“For the first 25 minutes we were all over them and they didn’t have anything.”

The win sends Harrisburg to face the Philadelphia Union for the fourth time in six years June 14. Reading was eliminated and matched Michigan Bucks and Chicago FC United as the PDL teams to advance the furthest in the tournament.

The scoring came easy early for the City Islanders. Pedro Ribeiro sent Daniel DiPrima a pass into the middle of the box that DiPrima finished in space in the 8th minute.

Seven minutes later, Bond controlled a long pass and sent a volley past Reading goalkeeper Ben Beaury following a perfect long pass from Abass Mohammed.

“When you play PDL teams you know the longer the game goes the more confidence those teams get,” Harrisburg head coach Bill Becher said. “The key is to jump on them early which is what we were able to do.”

Coming back from behind to pull a Second Round upset against the New York Cosmos, Reading United made a similar push late in the first half. This time, Reading struggled to get the final touch with Sean Lewis coming up with big saves when necessary.

Frantzdy Pierrot and Hugo Delhommelle had multiple chances on one rush in the 21st minute but their three chances were stopped. Lewis made his biggest save of the night on Delhommelle.

Turning with the ball from the penalty marker, Lewis reacted to Delhommelle’s unobstructed shot to send it over the bar.

“I’m feeling confident now,” Lewis said. “I’ve had a few games in a row now and really getting my feet under me.”

Lewis finished the night with nine saves, seven coming in the first half.

“By the end of the first half we were lucky to escape 2-0,” Becher said. “They probably deserved a goal, maybe two.”

Harrisburg ended any hopes of a Reading comeback in the 50th minute. Bond, making the change from right back to midfield, scored his second receiving a deflection in the box to find the back of the net.

Pierrot with Delhommelle finished with eight and five shots respectively but were unable to find the back of the net.

“Finishing and sloppy mistakes,” Reading head coach Stephen Hoagn said were his sides’ downfall. “If we defend like we teach to defend we’re still in the game at halftime even if we don’t convert our chances.”

2017 US Open Cup Round 2: With 3 goals in 6 minutes, Reading United stuns NASL champion New York Cosmos

May 19, 2017 by Stephen Valenti

Reading United

took advantage of its opportunities and pulled the upset over the 3-2 upset of the New York Cosmos in the Second Round of the US Open Cup Wednesday at Shirk Stadium.

All three of Reading’s goals came in a six-minute stretch late in the first half. Paul Marie shook off a defender and made a run down the left side to even the score at 1-1 in the 38th minute.

Marco Micaletto put Reading ahead by beating the keeper off a pass from Hugo Delhommelle. Frantzdy Pierrot made it 3-1 in the 44th minute taking the ball off a New York defender’s foot and beat the keeper 1-on-1.

New York led a charge in the second half. Holding possession, Danny Szetela headed in a cross from Kalif Alhassan in the 63rd minute to pull the visitors within a goal. Alhassan scored New York’s first goal in the 11th minute.

Reading United will host the Harrisburg City Islanders in the next round on May 31. The winner of that match will head to Chester, Pa. to take on the Philadelphia Union of MLS on June 14.

Reading United qualifies for record 9th straight US Open Cup, seeking more than an opening round win

May 4, 2017 by Stephen Valenti

Mario Pinto-Neto of Reading United AC celebrates what would prove to be the game-winning goal against the Harrisburg City Islanders (USL Pro) in the Second Round of the 2013 US Open Cup. Photo: Reading United AC

For Reading United AC playing in the US Open Cup has become an annual tradition.

Taking the field in the first round Wednesday against Clarkstown SC will be the Premier Development League (PDL) side’s ninth consecutive appearance in America’s oldest tournament, a Modern Era (1995-present) record for an amateur team.

While professional teams are guaranteed a spot every season, for Reading United, and every other amateur side, must qualify.

“It shows the type of player we are able to get,” Reading United president Art Auchenbach said. “The fact we have been able to make the playoffs almost every year but continue to be one of the top teams in the eastern conference is almost as good as the amateur record in the Open Cup.”

Making the run more difficult is Reading, a Philadelphia Union affiliate just over an hour northwest of Philadelphia, plays in the PDL’s Mid-Atlantic division which is consistently one of the most competitive in the 72-team league.

However, it took until current USL Bethlehem Steel head coach Brendan Burke was hired at 25 for the team to find success. Burke won the division in his first year, which earned a sport in the 2009 Open Cup and started the current streak.

After five attempts, Reading United won their first US Open Cup game in franchise history with a 2-1 win over New York Greek American Atlas SC. Photo: Glenn Riegel | Reading United AC

“It’s good for the players, exposure and experience playing in the oldest tournament,” current head coach Stephen Hogan said. “For me to play in it was exciting and getting to the second round because you play a very high level team.”

Hogan played on the 2009 team that lost in the first round to the Harrisburg City Islanders (USL-2). Prior to that, the only time the club had reached the tournament was as a Division 3 USL pro team when they were one-and-done in 2001 and 2003.

A large part of Reading’s sustained success is its desire to be as professional of an organization as possible. That along with an affiliation with the Philadelphia Union and consistent success has attracted some of the best college players.

Some of those that have contributed to Reading’s success have been current Major League Soccer players Matt Hedges, Luke Mulholland, Keagan Rosenberry, C.J. Sapong and Andrew Wenger.

After back-to-back losses to Division 3 pro teams in 2010 and 2011, United finally picked up the franchise’s first tournament win. It was a 2-1 result against four-time Open Cup champion New York Greek American Atlas SC. The win rescued them from making an unfortunate place in the record book as it snapped a five-game tournament losing streak, one loss shy of the Modern Era record.

In 2013, Reading enjoyed their best run in the US Open Cup. After defeating FC Lehigh Valley United Sonic (NPSL), they faced the Harrisburg City Islanders for the third time in five years and this time they came out on top. A first half goal by Mario Pinto-Neto was all they would need to earn a third round date with the New York Red Bulls (MLS).

“Everybody, myself included, walking into Red Bulls Stadium felt like a tourist,” Auchenbach said. “You’re taking pictures, you’re almost just happy to be there. For the first half of the game we were in it, even if we didn’t create many chances.”

Although Reading lost 2-0 that night, it set the standard for the teams after. None have reached that point since but Reading United has still found success in the tournament’s opening round as they currently have a five-game winning streak in Open Cup openers, which is tied for the Modern Era record for an amateur team.

United are 6-9-1 (0-1 PKs) all-time (6-7-1 as a PDL team). They will host Clarkston on May 10 where they are 6-2 in their team history. They are still without a road win in their tournament history (0-7-1, 0-1 PKs).

A unique challenge for PDL teams and the Open Cup is a majority of the team arriving from their colleges less than a week before the first round. Some instances have had the player arrive the night before or day of the game.

“We have done well because our top guys are mostly in because they know what the US Open Cup means,” Hogan said. “The further they go the better teams they are going to be exposed to.”

2016 US Open Cup Round 2: Chattanooga FC outlasts Reading United AC in PKs in battle of amateur powers

May 21, 2016 by Ian Foster

A scoreless draw is often left unwatched. This one should not have been, as two storied Fourth Division sides in Chattanooga FC and Reading United AC played a classic Second Round Lamar Hunt US Open Cup match before 3,641 at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga.

After 120 minutes of scoreless soccer, Chattanooga prevailed in penalty kicks 4-1 to advance to the Third Round. It was the third time in the last two years that Chattanooga has won a penalty kick shootout in the US Open Cup.

Reading United, playing their third competitive match in eight days, came out strong for the first 15 minutes. However, a few forays into the Chattanooga box produced few bona fide scoring opportunities and the home side, themselves playing just their second competitive match of the season, started to wrest control. In the 16th minute, Chattanooga’s John “Snoopy” Davidson, who plays his college ball at Covenant College, got on the end of a corner, heading a shot just wide.

Just like he had been shutting out the Atlanta Silverbacks in Round 1 a week ago, Steffan Kraus was brilliant in this match, particularly as Chattanooga FC started to turn the tide in the final 20 minutes of the first half. Off a corner kick in the 28th minute, Kraus parried away a wide-angle but close-range Chattanooga shot, with the rebound being shot off the post. Ten minutes later, a through ball sprung Will Roberts in on goal, but Kraus met the challenge. And just before the halftime whistle, Kraus somehow got his body in front of a cross a split second before a waiting Chattanooga player.

Reading did manage to get in a jab in the first half, with a point-blank header forcing a double-save out of Chattanooga keeper Tom Halsall in the 34th minute.

The chances continued into the second half, with Chattanooga continuing to enjoy the lot of them. Off a long throw in the 49th minute, Roberts nudged a header just wide of the Reading post. The continuous pressure and possession continued until it started to let up around the 60th minute. Reading had held against the storm, and looked to create a few chances on their own.

The 64th minute introduction of Zeca Ferraz looked to stopper Reading’s momentum, providing a new, exciting element to the game. Indeed, he nearly stole a goal by himself in the 67th minute, after dispossessing a Reading defender and nearly out-scrapping Kraus. Seven minutes later, Chattanooga got its best chance of the game when a free kick from just outside the box was rocketed past Kraus off the post.

It was Halsall’s turn to spring to action in the 81st minute when Danny Reynolds blundered a clearance, allowing a Reading attacker space in the box. But Halsall quickly closed the angle and the shot rolled to safety. Halsall again answered the call three minutes later in the 84th, before Ferraz put a spectacular and acrobatic effort just over the bar in the 85th. The back-and-forth continued, as a Reading attacker, in the 86th minute curled one that just missed the upper corner.

Alas, the final whistle blew and the desperation to avoid extra time, on both sides, was for naught.

The 30 minutes of extra time were as sleepy as the 90 minutes of regulation were exciting. Few chances emerged either side, with most coming in the form of floating crosses easily snatched by the in-form keepers. Penalties were destined and they came.

Throughout much of the 120 minutes, Chattanooga were the better side. The difference, either through skill or karma, finally bore out in the penalties. Chattanooga’s Kieran Bywater hammered the first penalty perfectly into the corner. Reading’s Nestor Aguilar took a staggered run-up to his first penalty and shanked it, leaving CFC up. Chattanooga could do no wrong, leaving Kraus with no chance as Ferraz and Reynolds coolly converted and Halsall made an awesome stop on Brad Fountain. John Carrier, with the first kick of the fourth round, ended the match with another perfect strike to the top corner.

2016 US Open Cup Round 1: Reading United AC kicks off season with cup win over Atlanta Silverbacks

May 12, 2016 by Michael Berton

Reading United AC and the Atlanta Silverbacks square off in a FIrst Round match in the 2016 US Open Cup. Photo: Reading United AC (PennImages.com)

The US Open Cup tends to catch many amateur teams at the wrong time, with the First Round usually also serving as the first competitive game for those teams.

Such was the case on Wednesday in West Lawn, Pa., Reading United of the Premier Development League (PDL) hosted the Atlanta Silverbacks of the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) in the first game of the season for both sides.

It ended up being Reading that was the more prepared team, winning 2-0 in a comfortable fashion to advance to the Second Round. For United, it was the fifth straight year that the PDL club had won its opening round game, the second-longest streak among amateur teams in the Modern Era (1995-present).

After an even first 15 minutes, United began to assert control of the game. Both teams struggled to earn clear chances, but much of the game was being played in the Silverbacks end. This sustained period of dominance culminated in a 31st minute goal for Reading.

William Picoux hit an in-swinging corner kick that bypassed all but one player in the box. That player was his teammate Khori Bennett, who kicked it into the bottom left corner of the net from two yards out. Bennett, a soon-to-be sophomore at Northeastern, made no mistake on the easy chance.

Atlanta, which formerly was the development team of the now-defunct pro team, put much more pressure on Reading in the second half. Two early substitutions and a focus on offense led to some Silverbacks chances. The away side was forced to make an early third substitution when Kemar Brown went down with an injury in the 66th minute.

The Silverbacks could not capitalize on their sustained pressure, however, and Reading grabbed an insurance goal in the 86th minute.

Ismael Noumansana of Lenoir-Rhyne University shot in a laser of a cross that found Frantzdy Pierrot of Coastal Carolina on the back post. Pierrot bypassed the Atlanta goalie and slotted the ball into the net.

Reading United, which is making a Modern Era record eighth straight US Open Cup appearance as an amateur side, will travel to Tennessee to take on Chattanooga FC of the NPSL at 7:30 p.m. on May 18 in the Second Round.