WHIPPANY, NJ (May 22, 2019) – Kalil ElMedkhar’s 86th minute goal was the difference in yet another one goal game between Reading United and New York Red Bulls U23. Reading saw a one goal lead evaporate early in the second half, before erasing a one goal deficit of their own to snag a 3-2 victory on the road. The road victory was Reading’s first ever over New York, as they were previously 0-2-2 in four tries.

Reading was backed by goals from three different players, as former Red Bull U23 defender Adrien Awana struck in the first half, with Maxi Galizzi and Kalil ElMedkhar netting theirs in the second. The victory bumped Reading to the top of the table with six points and a game in hand on fellow two-win Long Island, who dropped a 3-1 decision to Ocean City on Wednesday. It was also the 20th consecutive regular season victory for Reading, dating back to the 2017 season.

The first goal did not come until late into the first but after patience, Adrien Awana scores in the 40’  off of a beautiful corner taken by Alban Rousselet giving United a 1-0 lead. The France native played a full 90 minutes against his former squad, in his first minutes with Reading.

The start of the second half was a little rocky for the leading team.  Most of the play was in Reading’s defensive half as New York kept possession, had multiple shots on net, and multiple corners awarded to them.  On the third consecutive corner awarded to the Baby Bulls, Brian Saramago was able to capitalize and tie the game at 1-1. After a short three minutes, the Red Bulls capitalized again by a goal from Barry Sharifi to give them a 2-1 advantage over Untied.  

After the initial lapse of energy in the start of the second half, United clawed their way back into the game. United started to build out of the back and control possession up the field to be able to come away with a goal in the 66th minute by Maxi Galizzi. Galizzi’s speed enabled him to play one-on-one with the Red Bulls’ defender which ultimately brought him into the 18 yard box to tip it past Red Bull’s goalie, Marcellin Gohier.  

The game continued to be a nail biter in the remaining minutes until the third and final goal was scored by Kalil ElMedkhar in the 86th minute.  The first play after his substitution into the game, the 19 year old took a free kick off his body and the ball found the back of the net.

Reading’s next test will be back home at John Gurski Stadium when they play fellow unbeaten FA Euro this Saturday, May 25th at 7:00pm. $5 tickets are available online at readingunitedac.com/tickets, and will jump to $10 at the gate. The evening is also Youth Night at the stadium, where any youth soccer player wearing their team jersey will enter for free.