Reading Rage
Encyclopedia
Reading, Pennsylvania
Reading is a city in southeastern Pennsylvania, USA, and seat of Berks County. Reading is the principal city of the Greater Reading Area and had a population of 88,082 as of the 2010 census, making it the fifth most populated city in the state after Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown and Erie,...
. Founded in 1996, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League
USL Premier Development League
The USL Premier Development League is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid...
(PDL), the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid
American Soccer Pyramid
The United States soccer pyramid is a term used in soccer to describe the structure of the league system in the United States. The country's governing body for the sport, the United States Soccer Federation , oversees the system but does not operate any of its component leagues—with one temporary...
, in the Mid-Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.
The club plays its home games at Don Thomas Stadium on the campus of Exeter Township Senior High School
Exeter Township Senior High School
Exeter Township Senior High School is a public secondary school located in Reading, Pennsylvania. The school serves about 1,400 students in grades 9 to 12 in the Exeter Township School District. In 2006 the school went through major renovations. The school received a new cafe and new classroom wing...
, where they have played since 2005. The club's colors are white, charcoal black, gold, and navy blue. United also fields a team in the USL’s Super-20 League
Super-20 League
The United Soccer Leagues Super-20 League is an American-Canadian soccer league for players 17 to 20 years of age. Introduced in 2006 it took the place of the U-19 age bracket in the Super Y-League....
, a league for players seventeen to twenty years of age under the United Soccer Leagues
United Soccer Leagues
The United Soccer Leagues is the organizer of several soccer leagues with teams in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. It includes men's and women's leagues, both professional and amateur. Leagues currently organized are the USL Pro, the USL Premier Development League, the W-League, and...
umbrella.
Prior to the 2010 season, the team was known as the Reading Rage. On December 21, 2009, the Rage organization announced its agreement with Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
's Philadelphia Union to become their official minor league affiliate, and re-branded as Reading United A.C. with immediate effect.
History
On January 13, 2011, Reading United saw four former players, including three from the 2010 roster, drafted at the 2011 MLS SuperDraft2011 MLS SuperDraft
The 2011 MLS SuperDraft was the twelfth annual SuperDraft presented by Major League Soccer. It was held on January 13, 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland, during the 2011 NSCAA Convention at the Baltimore Convention Center. The 2011 SuperDraft consisted of three rounds with eighteen selections each, for...
in Baltimore, Maryland. C. J. Sapong
C. J. Sapong
C. J. Sapong is an American soccer player who currently plays for Sporting Kansas City in Major League Soccer.-College and Amateur:...
was selected 10th overall by Sporting Kansas City, followed by Corey Hertzog
Corey Hertzog
Corey Hertzog is an American soccer player currently playing for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.-College and Amateur:...
who was selected 13th overall by New York Red Bulls. Levi Houapeu
Levi Houapeu
Levi Houapeu is an Ivorian footballer who currently plays for the Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer.-Youth and college:...
was selected in the third round by Philadelphia Union with the 41st pick overall. Former Reading Rage player, Zarek Valentin
Zarek Valentin
Zarek Valentin is an American soccer player currently playing for Montreal Impact in Major League Soccer.-College and Amateur:...
, was selected 4th overall by Chivas USA.
Name, Colors, and Badge
The primary colors of Reading United A.C. are charcoal black, gold, and navy blue. The black and gold derive from Reading's civic seal and to the colors of the Germania Liederkranz, one of the area's original soccer clubs. Navy and gold represent the traditional state colors of Pennsylvania.The logo for Reading United A.C. includes a stylized train that alludes to the famous Reading Railroad
Reading Company
The Reading Company , usually called the Reading Railroad, officially the Philadelphia and Reading Rail Road and then the Philadelphia and Reading Railway until 1924, operated in southeast Pennsylvania and neighboring states...
, which was one of the first railroads in the United States. The train depiction contains a soccer ball encircled by thirteen stars, each representing one of the original Thirteen Colonies
Thirteen Colonies
The Thirteen Colonies were English and later British colonies established on the Atlantic coast of North America between 1607 and 1733. They declared their independence in the American Revolution and formed the United States of America...
. The shamrocks are a tribute to an Irishman
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
named Paul "Archie" Moylan, the Reading Rage's former team captain, general manager, and coach, who died of cancer in 2001. The shield's contour is formed like a keystone
Keystone (architecture)
A keystone is the wedge-shaped stone piece at the apex of a masonry vault or arch, which is the final piece placed during construction and locks all the stones into position, allowing the arch to bear weight. This makes a keystone very important structurally...
, a symbol used officially by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
alluding to its colonial designation as the "Keystone State."
"United" is a common soccer appellation
Football club names
Association Football club names are a part of the sport's culture, reflecting century-old traditions. Club names may reflect geographical, cultural, religious or political affiliations — or simply be the brand name of a club's primary sponsor...
used in the British Isles
British Isles
The British Isles are a group of islands off the northwest coast of continental Europe that include the islands of Great Britain and Ireland and over six thousand smaller isles. There are two sovereign states located on the islands: the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and...
and represents its relationship to the Philadelphia Union. The initials A.C. stand for "Athletic Club", which indicates the team's goal of expanding its business to incorporate other sports and fitness programs.
Current roster
As of June 10, 2011.Notable former players
- See also: All-time Reading United rosterAll-time Reading United A.C. rosterThis list comprises all players who have participated in at least one league match for Reading United in the USL Premier Development League since the USL began keeping detailed records in 2003...
This list of notable former players comprises players who went on to play professional soccer after playing for the team in the Premier Development League, or those who previously played professionally before joining the team.
Tyrell Burgess
Tyrell Burgess
Tyrell Burgess is a Bermudian footballer, currently playing for Bermuda Hogges in the USL Premier Development League.-College and amateur:...
Adam Clay
Adam Clay
Adam Clay, born December 31, 1982 in Dallas, Pennsylvania is a midfielder currently playing for American USL Second Division side Harrisburg City Islanders....
Alex Dixon
Alex Dixon
Hugh Alex Dixon is an American soccer player currently playing for Houston Dynamo in Major League Soccer.-College and Amateur:...
J. T. Dorsey
J. T. Dorsey
J.T. Dorsey, born September 29, 1975 in Coatesville, Pennsylvania is a U.S. soccer defender who last played for the USL Second Division side Harrisburg City Islanders.He currently runs the J.T. Dorsey foundation.-External links:*...
Adam Gazda
Adam Gazda
Adam Gazda is an American soccer player who currently plays for Pittsburgh Riverhounds in the USL Professional Division.-College and Amateur:...
Ian Hennessy
Ian Hennessy
Ian Hennessy is a retired Irish soccer player who is currently head coach of the University of Delaware. He came to the United States after rejection from Arsenal FC, returning to Ireland, playing the inaugural season for Cork City FC in the League of Ireland in 1984...
Corey Hertzog
Corey Hertzog
Corey Hertzog is an American soccer player currently playing for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.-College and Amateur:...
David Horst
David Horst
David Horst is an American soccer player currently playing for Portland Timbers in Major League Soccer-College and Amateur:...
Levi Houapeu
Levi Houapeu
Levi Houapeu is an Ivorian footballer who currently plays for the Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer.-Youth and college:...
Luke Mulholland
Luke Mulholland
Luke Mulholland is an English footballer currently playing for NSC Minnesota Stars in the North American Soccer League.-College and amateur:Mulholland played his college career at Wingate University from 2007 to 2010...
C. J. Sapong
C. J. Sapong
C. J. Sapong is an American soccer player who currently plays for Sporting Kansas City in Major League Soccer.-College and Amateur:...
Chad Severs
Chad Severs
Chad Severs is an American soccer player who currently plays for Pittsburgh Riverhounds in the USL Professional Division.-College and Amateur:...
Zarek Valentin
Zarek Valentin
Zarek Valentin is an American soccer player currently playing for Montreal Impact in Major League Soccer.-College and Amateur:...
Aaron Wheeler
Aaron Wheeler
Aaron Wheeler is an American soccer player currently playing for Fort Lauderdale Strikers in the North American Soccer League.-College and Amateur:...
Jason Yeisley
Jason Yeisley
Jason Yeisley is an American soccer player who currently plays for Pittsburgh Riverhounds in the USL Professional Division.-College and Amateur:...
Year-by-year
| Year | Division | League | Regular Season | Playoffs | Open Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 3 | USISL Pro League | 4th, Northeast | Conference Semifinals | Did not qualify |
| 1996/97 | N/A | USISL I-League | Played 1 game | Did not qualify | N/A |
| 1997 | 3 | USISL D-3 Pro League | 1st, Mid Atlantic | Division Semifinals | Did not qualify |
| 1998 | 3 | USISL D-3 Pro League | 2nd, Mid Atlantic | Division Finals | Did not qualify |
| 1999 | 3 | USL D-3 Pro League | 5th, Northern | Conference Semifinals | Did not qualify |
| 2000 | 3 | USL D-3 Pro League | 4th, Northern | Conference Semifinals | Did not qualify |
| 2001 | 3 | USL D-3 Pro League | 4th, Northern | Conference Semifinals | 2nd Round |
| 2002 | 3 | USL D-3 Pro League | 5th, Atlantic | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2003 | 3 | USL Pro Select League | 4th, Atlantic | Did not qualify | 2nd Round |
| 2004 | 4 | USL PDL | 5th, Northeast | Conference Semifinals | Did not qualify |
| 2005 | 4 | USL PDL | 6th, Northeast | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2006 | 4 | USL PDL | 3rd, Northeast | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2007 | 4 | USL PDL | 4th, Mid Atlantic | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2008 | 4 | USL PDL | 1st, Mid Atlantic | National Semifinals | Did not qualify |
| 2009 | 4 | USL PDL | 1st, Mid Atlantic | Divisional Finals | 1st Round |
| 2010 | 4 | USL PDL | 1st, Mid Atlantic | National Semifinals | 1st Round |
| 2011 | 4 | USL PDL | 2nd, Mid Atlantic | Conference Quarterfinals | 1st Round |
Honors
- USL PDL Eastern Conference Champions 2010
- USL PDL Mid Atlantic Division Champions 2010
- USL PDL Regular Season Champions 2009
- USL PDL Mid Atlantic Division Champions 2009
- USL PDL Eastern Conference Champions 2008
- USL PDL Mid Atlantic Division Champion 2008
- USISL D-3 Pro League Mid Atlantic Division Champion 1997
Head coaches
Eric PulsEric Puls
Eric Puls is a retired U.S. soccer midfielder who played two seasons in the German third division and nine in the USISL. He was the head coach of the Reading Rage in 2001 and 2002.-Youth:...
(2001–2002) Derek Broadley (2005–2007) Brendan Burke (2008–present)
Stadia
- Stadium at Fleetwood High School; Fleetwood, PennsylvaniaFleetwood, PennsylvaniaFleetwood is a borough in Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 4,085 at the 2010 census. It was home to the Fleetwood Metal Body company, an automobile coachbuilder purchased by Fisher Body and integrated into General Motors in 1931...
(2003) - Stadium at Albright CollegeAlbright CollegeAlbright College is a private, co-ed, liberal arts college affiliated with the United Methodist Church. It was founded in 1856 and is located in Reading, Pennsylvania, United States.-Overview:...
; Reading, PennsylvaniaReading, PennsylvaniaReading is a city in southeastern Pennsylvania, USA, and seat of Berks County. Reading is the principal city of the Greater Reading Area and had a population of 88,082 as of the 2010 census, making it the fifth most populated city in the state after Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown and Erie,...
(2004) - Don Thomas Stadium at Exeter Township Senior High SchoolExeter Township Senior High SchoolExeter Township Senior High School is a public secondary school located in Reading, Pennsylvania. The school serves about 1,400 students in grades 9 to 12 in the Exeter Township School District. In 2006 the school went through major renovations. The school received a new cafe and new classroom wing...
; Reading, PennsylvaniaReading, PennsylvaniaReading is a city in southeastern Pennsylvania, USA, and seat of Berks County. Reading is the principal city of the Greater Reading Area and had a population of 88,082 as of the 2010 census, making it the fifth most populated city in the state after Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown and Erie,...
(2005–present) - Stadium at Oley Valley High SchoolOley Valley High SchoolOley Valley High School is a high school in Oley Valley, Pennsylvania, USA. The current principal is Darrell Markley. The school district superintendent was Jeffrey Zackon until his death on April 20, 2011.-History:...
; Oley ValleyOley ValleyThe Oley Valley is a valley northeast of Reading, Pennsylvania, United States of America. It covers all of Oley, Pike, Ruscombmanor, Alsace and part of Exeter Township. The valley is drained by Manatawny and Pine Creeks, and is a part of the Schuylkill River system. At the center of the valley is...
, PennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaThe Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
1 game (2011)
Average attendance
Attendance stats are calculated by averaging each team's self-reported home attendances from the historical match archive at http://www.uslsoccer.com/history/index_E.html.- 2005: 349
- 2006: 275
- 2007: 241
- 2008: 233
- 2009: 345
- 2010: 278