READING, PA (July 14, 2019) – A three goal outburst early in the first half powered Reading United to a 5-0 victory over visiting Lehigh Valley United at Wilson High School’s Gurski Stadium in the final match of the 2019 USL League Two regular season. Team captain Felipe Hideki paced United, scoring three goals for the 2019 Mid-Atlantic Division champions, while Troy Anspacher and Bakary Bagayoko also scored in Reading’s 10th win of the season. Jose Carlos Mercado made three stops to help Reading United post their eighth shutout of the 2019 term.
Reading United’s three goal outburst began in the 15thminute. Defender Richie Schlentz played a perfectly weighted through ball to Hideki, who made a well-timed run past the Lehigh Valley United defense. The veteran midfielder, who’s been in excellent form with four goals in five matches prior to the game against Lehigh Valley, made no mistake as he slotted the ball past LVU goalkeeper Joseph Valeriano for his fifth goal of the season.
Hideki set up Reading United’s second goal when he was hauled down from behind in the box in the 19thminute after rounding his Lehigh Valley marker. The referee awarded Reading United a penalty kick. United’s captain stepped up to take the spot kick and sent Valeriano the wrong way, slotting home to double United’s lead and run his season goal tally to six goals.
Just fifty-five seconds later, Reading United struck again. Pressure by Reading forced a turnover in the Lehigh Valley midfield and Hideki quickly sent forward Troy Anspacher running in on goal. Anspacher, playing in just his second match for Reading, scored past Valeriano for his first goal of the season and the hosts’ third goal in a span of just 6 minutes to extend Reading’s lead to 3-0.
Reading United would control large swaths of the game. LVU only forced three saves from Reading United goalkeeper Jose Carlos Mercado, who was making his debut in goal for Reading.
Reading United would continue to press their advantage when speedy midfielder Theo Quartey was pulled down in the Lehigh Valley United penalty area in the 72ndminute. The referee again pointed to the penalty spot and Hideki was quick to grab the ball to take the penalty kick.
United’s captain set a blast from the penalty spot just inside the right post to extend Reading’s lead to 4-0. It was Hideki’s third goal of the night and seventh of the season, tying him with Simon Beecher for the team lead goals scored.
The hosts would close out the game with a bang. Bakary Bagayoko beat his defender in the right channel before ripping a laser of a shot past Valeriano and into the side netting to make it 5-0 to Reading.
The win sends Reading United into the 2019 USL League Two playoffs in excellent form. United will look for redemption after falling to Calgary Foothills FC in the league championship game last summer. Announcements regarding the 2019 postseason dates and locations will be made on Monday, July 15.
Before Reading head into the playoffs, United will host their Major League Soccer partners, the Philadelphia Union, at Gurski Stadium on Tuesday, July 16th. Tickets for the match against the Philadelphia Union can be purchased online at www.readingunitedac.com/tickets.
SCORING SUMMARY
RUAC - Felipe Hideki (Richie Schlentz) 15'
RUAC - Felipe Hideki (PK) - 20'
RUAC - Troy Anspacher (Felipe Hideki) - 21'
RUAC - Felipe Hideki (PK) - 72'
RUAC - Bakary Bagayoko - 88'
READING UNITED STARTING XI
GK - Juan Carlos Mercado; DEF - Chad Poarch, Homore Kalala, Timo Hummrich, Richie Schlentz; MID - Deniz Dogan, Amferny Sinclair, Felipe Hideki; FWD - Goncarlo Garcia, Troy Anspacher, Max Galizzi
Tag(s): News
