Reading United secured a huge 1-0 win against Philly Lone Star yesterday evening on a cold rainy night at Don Thomas Stadium and earned their first points of the USL League 2 season. In a match that saw United outshoot their opponents 17-6, Lyam MacKinnon ultimately broke the deadlock in the 60th minute in what proved to be the deciding goal. MacKinnon’s goal and a clean sheet from Jonas Dieseler and company grants head coach Casey Moore his first 3 points as Reading United as they soon embark on another away stretch.

With a satisfying win on Friday night, Casey Moore can finally look toward many more positives to take away from the match to continue on with next week against the Ocean City Nor’easters and former coach Alan McCann. Here are three takeaways from Reading United’s win over Philly Lone Star:

Maintain Balance + Maturity

Friday evening’s win was Reading’s first clean sheet of the season, after previously conceding 9 goals in their first three matches. Offensively, it hasn’t been the brightest of starts either, still with just 3 goals from the opening 4 matches to date, but this result against Philly Lone Star has delivered much more promise. An impressive defensive performance last night gave the Reading United forwards a platform to succeed and fire 17 shots toward goal, giving this team much more balance than in any other match this season.

In what was a chippy game in a rough and rainy environment, RUAC held their composure and dominated the proceedings of the game, and were perhaps unlucky to not have tallied another goal. It was a far improved display of playing as a team after Coach Moore previously expressed the importance of establishing cohesion and maturity in a young team.

Against the undefeated Ocean City Nor’easters away from home on Wednesday, United should look to keep a level head again and play the game with increased focus on defensive solidarity to maintain the balance and give their forwards the opportunity to create chances.

Goals → Confidence → More Goals

It’s been a low scoring start to the season for Reading United but Casey Moore can instill some confidence in his players after a second consecutive match with a goal, not to mention all 3 points as well. A season-high 17 shots from the home side will certainly boost confidence for a team looking to hit the back of the net on a more regular basis. Confidence is paramount for attacking players and Reading can use this result to feel more comfortable in front of goal and hopefully notch a few past Ocean City on Wednesday.

Slow starts happen and even the best forwards in professional football go through dry periods, but a few well-earned goals is all this team needs to get the confidence for plenty more goals to come in the near future.

Great Teams Have Great Depth

The best teams in world football have great depth in all positions, and Friday’s match against Philly Lone Star put United’s depth on display, which gave us great insight on the wealth of talent at disposal for the club. Looking back at May 15th’s season opener against Lehigh Valley United, Reading had 7 different starters for the Philly Lone Star match, which shows the level of competition and depth the club had to choose from. Even goalkeeper Jonas Dieseler got the nod in place of regular starter Carson Williams, and earned Reading United’s first clean sheet of the season.

Under a new head coach in the form of Casey Moore, Reading United’s depth in all areas of the pitch may start out with some growing pains as Moore and his coaching staff continue to tinker with their best 11, but it will only work in favor of United in the end as the players will work and play harder to earn a regular starting berth.