READING, PA. (June 8, 2016) – Sitting atop Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference, things couldn’t be better for the Philadelphia Union in the here and now. By all measures, Jim Curtin’s bunch have exceeded every fan’s expectations going into the 2016 MLS campaign. Andre Blake has blossomed into a star, Chris Pontius has been rejuvenated and leads the Union offense and MLS rookies Keegan Rosenberry, Ken Tribbett and Josh Yaro form the core of one of the best defenses in the league.

But what if I told you the future may be even better?

Do you want to get a look at what that future may hold? Well then, it’s time to make the short trip up to Reading for one of the region’s truly unique soccer events. The first ever Philadelphia Union Festival will take place this Sunday, June 12 th in Reading at Exeter High School’s picturesque Don Thomas Stadium. Gates will open at 6:00pm. As part of the soccer filled festivities, members of the Philadelphia Union will be on hand to greet fans while Reading United and Bethlehem Steel clash on the pitch.

Sunday’s match marks the first ever meeting between the Philadelphia Union affiliates. Bethlehem Steel and Reading United share much in common and are part of the Union’s developmental structure that is beginning to show real signs of being a crucial pipeline of talent for the MLS team. The future of the Union organization will be front and center on the pitch at Reading’s Don Thomas Stadium.

Since forming a partnership with the Philadelphia Union in 2009, Reading United have produced over fifty future professional soccer players.

Eleven of those players have either been drafted or signed by the Union, including current first team players C.J. Sapong, Ray Gaddis, John McCarthy, Leo Fernandes and Keegan Rosenberry.

United are in tremendous form as they head in to Sunday’s friendly against their professional counterparts. Head Coach Stephen Hogan, an assistant coach with Bethlehem Steel, has guided his squad to an unbeaten start. Reading’s 4-0- 1 record in league has the club sitting on top of the PDL’s Mid-Atlantic Division. United are an entertaining side to watch, combining a high flying offense with a defensive unit that has allowed just four goals in 660 minutes of league and U.S. Open Cup play this season.

The current crop of Reading players features seven former members of the Philadelphia Union Academy. Brett Campbell, Billy McConnell and Will Campbell returned to the squad in 2016 and are joined by Kevin Carvalho, Doyle Tuvesson, Sean Wilson and Zach Zandi.

Zandi, a Villanova product, has grabbed recent headlines as his brace against arch rivals Ocean City earned United a 2-0 road victory that temporarily pushed Reading to the lead in PDL’s hotly contested Mid-Atlantic Division. The midfielder has earned praise from Coach Hogan for his tireless work on and off the ball.

Brett Campbell has returned for his third season with Reading. United’s leading goal scorer in 2015 has shown tremendous growth this campaign, both in his ability to torment the opposition’s defense and as a leader on the team.

McConnell and Will Campbell have been major contributors for Reading on the defensive side of the ball. Partnering in center defense, the two Academy products have helped United keep opponents off the scoreboard. With just two goals conceded and three clean sheets in four games,

Reading has one of the best defensive records in the PDL.

Brendan Burke will make his return to Reading after departing the club at the end of the 2013 season. Burke is the winningest coach in Official Player Development Partner of the Philadelphia Union Reading’s twenty-one year history and led the club to the PDL National Semifinals in 2008 and 2010 and helped the club win the 2009 PDL Regular Season crown. Under Burke, United made five consecutive appearances in the U.S. Open Cup, establishing a new U.S. amateur record in the modern era of the competition.

Burke’s Bethlehem side makes the short trip to Reading sitting 8 th in the USL’s Eastern Conference. Steel FC scored a 1-0 victory on the road in Charlotte on Friday night. Goalkeeper Samir Badr preserved the shutout with three saves following forward Corey Burke’s goal in the 10 th minute.

Like Reading, Steel FC feature a talented group of young players that could one day don the Blue & Gold at Talen Energy Stadium. Union first team players also play prominent roles for Burke’s side while staying match fit and continuing their own development.

Steel FC midfielder Derrick Jones is one of Bethlehem’s early success stories. The imposing 6’3” midfielder from Ghana signed with Bethlehem Steel directly from the Union Academy. Jones has played in ten matches for Bethlehem, scoring two goals while patroling the center of the park for Steel FC.

Fellow Academy product Auston Trusty has also been a revelation for Bethlehem. The young centerback has shown tremendous poise in his seven matches for Burke’s team after making the jump from the YSC Academy and the Union’s U18 squad. Trusty will play his college soccer at the University of North Carolina, joining United’s Will Campbell in the Tar Heels defense.

Reading alums John McCarthy and Leo Fernandes, who have played significant minutes for Steel FC, are reminders of the important link between Bethlehem and the Union first team. Both players have been able to maintain match fitness while waiting for their opportunity with the Union.

McCarthy and Fernandes have each made eight starts for Steel FC. The Union’s back-up goalkeeper has kept three clean sheets for Bethlehem while Fernandes have provided the spark for the Steel from his midfield position.

The Philadelphia Union Festival offers local soccer fans the unique opportunity to meet with current MLS stars and the chance to see what the future may hold as the organization’s top prospects look to impress.