In a showdown between Pennsylvania's two elite amateur soccer teams, Reading United A.C. defeated the 2012 NPSL Champions FC Lehigh Valley United Sonic by a 2-0 score line to advance to the second round of the 100th Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. In a tight match between two evenly matched sides, Reading used a two-goal outburst shortly after halftime to secure the club's second win in U.S. Open Cup history. With the win, Reading will face fellow Philadelphia Union affiliate the Harrisburg City Islanders next Tuesday.

 

The first half of the match saw Reading hold a decided advantage in the possession. Much like Saturday's 8-0 demolition of the Westchester Flames, United came out aggressively, playing large portions of the match in FC Lehigh Valley United's half of the field. Sonic countered by staying well organized, thwarting wave after wave of pressure.

 

Reading's first real opportunity of the match came in the 19th minute when midfielder Manolo Sanchez struck a ball from the right wing that hammered off the crossbar and was eventually cleared by the NPSL Champions.

 

Whether it was the excitement of a cup tie or excellent marking, several Reading players saw there shots sail hopelessly over the goal. United outshot their opponents seven to three in the first half, but only forced Sonic keeper Charlie Sales to make one save.

 

FC Lehigh Valley United had a golden opportunity to catch Reading on a counter in the 37th minute.

 

Following a Reading corner kick, Sonic cleared and launched a counterattack that saw them have a three on one advantage. Great hustle by United defender Jimmy Ockford and midfielder Keegan Rosenberry broke up the play and ended Sonic's opportunity.

 

With the half winding down, Larry Ndjock fired a shot that rattled the post. In the ensuing scramble to clear the ball, the Reading bench shouted for handball, but referee Eric Weisbrod allowed the final seconds of play to tick off before whistling for halftime.

 

The second half began with United again exerting pressure in Sonic's half. The aggressive tactics worked and in the 50th minute when Reading United found the breakthrough goal.

Ndjock began a run down the right side of the field, with Philadelphia Union academy graduate Darius

 

Madison tracking the run in the center channel. Njdock beat his mark and found Madison alone in the Sonic penalty area. With the keeper at his mercy, Madison coolly stroked the ball into the back of the net to hand United a well-deserved 1-0 lead.

 

With the advantage, Reading continued to press forward. Right back Wes Charpie earned a throw in following an aggressive run down the right flank. Charpie picked out captain Steve Neumann on the throw in, who took the ball down the end line as he drove toward goal. From a nearly impossible angle, Neumann looked up and saw the keeper off his line and fired a shot that nestled just inside the side netting to double United's advantage. "I just saw the goalie off a little bit, the guys were asking me if it was a shot or a cross," said Neumann. "I'll take it to my grave that it was a shot," the Georgetown midfielder said with a smile.