SOUTH HUNTINGTON, NY (June 2nd, 2019) – Reading United (4-0-0) hits the road in hopes of staying undefeated in league play, heading to Hofstra University to take on the Long Island Rough Riders (3-1-1) on Wednesday evening. This is already Reading’s fourth road game in their first five appearances to begin the USL League Two season, where they will face a Long Island squad that is on the back half of playing six of their first seven games at home.  

These teams played each other close last year in regular season play, with Reading coming away with a result in both matches. Reading came out with a one goal win at home but settled for a 1-1 tie on Long Island where they outshot the Rough Riders 9-3. Reading’s home victory on June 9th started a downward spiral for the Rough Riders, who began their 2018 campaign with a 7-1-1 record, but tumbled out of the playoff picture by losing three of their final five games to Reading and New York.

Unsurprisingly, these two teams are currently in a race for the top spot in the Mid-Atlantic Division. Reading finds themselves in first with twelve points and a game in hand on the second place Rough Riders, who have collected ten points in their first five games. Reading will look to defend their top spot in the division and stay undefeated in league play when they take on the Rough Riders.

Jahmali Waite has dominated in net for Reading after his insertion into the starting lineup two games ago, pitching shutouts in both starts. His most recent shutout performance coming from a 1-0 victory against Cedar Stars Rush, where Kalil El Medkhar netted an early goal in the 17th minute to clinch Reading’s 22nd consecutive regular season victory.

Long Island comes into the match with tired legs, playing their third game in five days. Their Saturday match was a convincing 2-1 victory at home over Red Bulls U23, but coughed up two separate one goal advantages in a 2-2 tie with FA Euro the following day. Reading, on the other hand, has not taken the field for a match since their May 28th victory over FA Euro.

Reading’s next test will be when they return home to Gurski Stadium for Women’s World Cup Night on June 8th to face Evergreen FC. We’ll be honoring all women and girls teams in the area, with a few surprises in store! $5 tickets are available online at readingunitedac.com/tickets and will jump to $10 at the gate. Season tickets are only $20 and will cover all six remaining league home games and are available at the same link.