Reading United secured a much needed point on the road against a very evenly-matched Real Central NJ side, who now share the same record as United in the Mid-Atlantic Division. It was a bittersweet first meeting between RCNJ and Reading United, which saw the latter fail to keep two leads in either half. Reading poured on the pressure early, creating multiple chances that either forced a save or narrowly missed the crossbar. United finally broke through in the 32nd minute, as an Ike Hollinger shot was parried aside onto the foot of Raimondo Partito for the 1-0 advantage. A penalty kick via a handball in the box tied it a one a piece before United and RCNJ both notched a goal just one minute apart in the 80th and 81st as it ended all square after 90 minutes. Against the last place team in the division, Reading United would have hoped to take home all 3 points but grab a decent result nonetheless on their away trip. The 2-2 draw had its ups and downs and plenty to analyze to prepare for Saturday’s match against NOVA FC.

Here are the 3 takeaways from Reading’s 1-1 draw with Real Central NJ

Don’t Get Complacent

A problem for Reading United early on this season was setting the tone early on in matches, which has since been improved upon. Last week’s match against West Chester and last night’s draw to RCNJ were great examples of setting the narrative early, but like in United’s defeat to West Chester, complacency was the real killer. Reading set the tone early on with plenty of shots toward goal and went ahead early in the 32nd minute, but failed to maintain the lead going into the half. After a tough season so far, it can be a mental toll to stay focused as the playoffs begin to drift away, but with realigned focus just one game and one half at a time, Reading can go into each match with the right attitude and mindset to never drop the intensity.

Continue Controlling Possession in the Midfield

Raimondo Partito’s goal in the 32nd minute was the perfect example of what can happen when Reading United keep the ball in the middle of the pitch and control the tempo of the game. Quick passing and decisive thinking led to a 7-pass move that gifted Hollinger a shot on goal that was ultimately parried into Partito’s path for the easy finish. Reading United have had difficulties building out from the back this season under pressure, but have found great success when controlling the ball in the middle and applying the pressure offensively. If Reading can inject some more life and decisiveness to the midfield against NOVA FC on Saturday, it could be a much improved result from last time out against the Virginia side.

Add Another CB?

Defensive troubles, difficulty moving the ball out of possession in addition to poor marking on Real Central NJ’s equalizing goal may be a sign to add another central defender to the backline for Reading United. With Coach Casey Moore admitting he’s been tweaking United’s set-up and tactics, perhaps a change to the back may be on the cards for a team that has struggled keeping the ball out of the net this season. Another CB would also make it easier for Reading to build out of the back under pressure by adding more depth to the pitch in the defensive third. Defensively, another CB would help bolster the backline and add extra bodies to the back on deliveries into the box. With the reasons and personnel to do it, perhaps Reading United could operate in a 5-man defensive scheme in the coming matches.