skip navigation

MATCH PREVIEW: Reading plays host to Philadelphia Union

By Sean Doyle, 07/15/19, 7:00PM EDT

Share

READING, PA (July 15, 2019) – A summer time soccer tradition returns to the Greater Reading area as Reading United A.C. are set to host the tenth annual Philadelphia Union Festival at Wilson High School’s John Gurski Stadium tomorrow evening. The feature event at Union Festival 2019 will be an exhibition match between Reading United A.C. and their Major League Soccer partners, the Philadelphia Union. 

 

The 2019 Philadelphia Union Festival is a celebration of the unique partnership between Major League Soccer’s Philadelphia Union and Reading United, an affiliation now in its tenth season.

 

Local fans can look forward to watching the Eastern Conference leading Philadelphia Union, led by Reading United alum Ray Gaddis and United States Mens National Team star Alejandro Bedoya, as they clash with their USL League Two affiliate, Reading United. Union players and staff will be available for autographs throughout the event. Fans of all ages will again be able to show off their skills at the U on Tour, a series of soccer themed games.

 

Reading United comes in to the game with an astounding 10-1-3 record in their regular season, clinching their second consecutive division title and a spot in the playoffs for the 11th time in 12 seasons. Reading is undoubtedly one of the top teams in the entire fourth division, collecting a 33-2-5 record in their past 40 regular season games.

 

Philadelphia Union have also struck success in the 2019 season, currently sitting atop the MLS Eastern Conference with a 10-6-6 record. Union head coach Jim Curtin has ties to Reading United, as he led the Men’s Super 20’s team before joining the Union staff.

 

United have been an important piece of the Philadelphia Union’s unique player development structure since 2010. The partnership has allowed Reading to become one of the USL League Two benchmark organizations. Reading has claimed three division titles and produced over 100 professional soccer players since becoming the Union’s official development affiliate. The 2018 campaign was a high water mark for United as they finished the regular season unbeaten record, advanced to and hosted the USL League Two Championship Game and were named the 2018 USL League Two Organization of the Year.

 

“We are proud of our 10 year partnership with the Philadelphia Union.  The Union have been tremendous partners in utilizing the “Path to Pro” from the YSC Academy, Union Youth Teams and Bethlehem Steel.  Reading’s niche position in the Union development model affords us the opportunity to continue our well established USL League Two success.  We look forward to continued grass roots development of soccer in eastern PA, with the Union/United partnership being the pinnacle for youth and college players looking to take the next step to USL Championship and Major League Soccer.”

 

Over the ten years that Reading and the Philadelphia Union have partnered a total of eleven Reading United products have gone on to play professionally for the Union. Gaddis, who played for Reading in 2010 and 2011, has played in 189 games for the Union since being selected with the 35th pick in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft. Fellow United alum Zach Zandi became the first player to compete at each level of the Union’s developmental path (Union Academy, Reading United, Bethlehem Steel, Philadelphia Union First Team) when he subbed on in the Union’s U.S. Open Cup Fourth Round match against D.C. United. Former Reading United Head Coach Brendan Burke is the current head coach of Bethlehem Steel FC, the Union’s USL Championship affiliate.


Tickets for the Philadelphia Union Festival are available at www.readingunitedac.com for only $10. Contact our ticket sales team at sales@readingunitedac.com for all your group needs.