The Ocean City Nor’easters are hosting Reading United in a fierce top of the division clash that will have Carey Stadium rocking come the 7pm kick off on Sunday July 14.

Photo courtesy of Paul Rudderow / Philly Soccer Page

The Ocean City Nor’easters are hosting Reading United in a fierce top of the division clash that will have Carey Stadium rocking come the 7pm kick off on Sunday July 14. This is one of the biggest soccer rivalries in the region and it will only get bigger as both clubs are chasing the Mid-Atlantic Division title.

The Nor’easters are currently 2 points ahead of  Reading with a game in hand (as of Fri July 12, 6pm). Reading United are kicking themselves as their record of 6-0-5 shows their inability to finish off the better opponents in the division, come playoff time this could really cost them. A win tonight for the either team would put them one step closer to the silverware. 

The previous meeting between the two teams this year ended in a 1-1 tie with Reading needing a last gasp equalizer from former Nor’easter Jason Plumhoff to counter Anthony Asante’s first half goal. After the game Reading United’s Head Coach Burke reportedly described the Nor’easters style as “anti-soccer”. The loyal Nor’easters Nation would describe the fast paced, quick passing, powerful shooting, possession with a purpose style of play as highly entertaining soccer. The rivalry heated up to boiling point in their last meeting at Carey Stadium in 2012 as Reading United player Ryan Finley (another former  Ocean City homegrown talent) was sent off. Whatever the result on Sunday this game will be between two different soccer philosophies, two organizations that go about their business in two very different ways and two teams whose players are all desperate to win and desperate to take that step to the next level in their careers.

Before Sunday’s game the Ocean City Nor’easters are hosting Carz ‘N Toyz a non-profit corporation established in 2011 for the purpose of bringing happiness to less fortunate children, “Carz ‘n Toyz” accepts monetary donations as well as toys that are distributed to hospitalized children of all ages throughout South Jersey. They will be displaying their vehicles on the auxiliary field behind the main stand  (6th Street & Boardwalk, next to Gillian’s Wonderland) before the game from 4pm. Anybody who would like to enter a car should bring it down to Carey Stadium by 4pm. 

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Photo courtesy of Paul Rudderow / Philly Soccer Page