skip navigation

Fortnite, FIFA, food and more

By Kevin Bohan, 06/22/18, 1:45PM EDT

Share

A day in the life of a United player

You see them on game day, giving it their all for their teammates and the fans. But when it's not game day, what are the Reading United players up to behind the scenes... 

The members of United 2018 squad love to train hard, between practice sessions and the gym, the players are always trying to improve their game. The players have access to the gyms on campus at Alvernia University and at Body Zone Sports and Wellness Complex to help themselves train when they aren't out on the practice field.

Practice and time spent in the gym only takes up a small portion of the day, leaving the squad with plenty of free time while they live in the residence halls on the campus of Alvernia University. So what do the players do when they're not training?

Off the pitch, the 2018 squad find fun whenever they can. Things like video games, television and team meals are just some of the ways for the players to escape the high intensity of practice sessions and frenetic game days. The off-field activities are working out and the bonding has helped the team rocket up the Mid-Atlantic Division.

Most of the guys spend their time relaxing and watching the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The players are in a pool where, for fun and bragging rights, they picked their winners and are able to compete against one another and flex their soccer prognosticating muscles.

United's resident gamers Kieran Roberts and Bennet Strutz talked about how they like to spend some of their down time playing video games. “What do I do in my free time? One word, Fortnite”, said Roberts. “I love playing whenever I get a chance”. Strutz agreed, “It’s a good way to relax and unwind after a long day, but of course we play some FIFA as well." 

The players also use some free time to show off their culinary skills. Team members like to make their own meals and cook almost daily. The players purchase food together and take turns making meals for one another. The family style meal is a great way for the teammates to relax and get to know each other. The players play music, talk and generally just enjoy themselves throughout the process.

This year's squad is also taking part in a long time Reading United tradition by helping to work at the summer skills camps offered by club. Over the past few summers, future MLS stars like Matt Hedges, Andrew Wenger, Paul Marie and Alex Bono spent time on the youth fields around Berks County, offering pointers to the young players attending one of the camps.

This season's squad are working to help local youth players develop into better more complete soccer players. It is a great opportunity for the kids as well as they get a chance to work with some of the best collegiate players in the country. The United players enjoy the training as it's both relaxing and a way to stay involved with the game after training ends.