Preview: Unbeaten Nor'easters can break club record at rival Reading United
Oldest active rivalry in USL adds a 54th chapter on Friday night in Reading, Pa.
The Ocean City Nor'easters and Reading United AC will add a 54th chapter to the oldest active rivalry in the entire United Soccer Leagues on Friday night. The two long-time rivals who have been playing each other since 1997, will square off for the 54th time at Alvernia University in Reading, Pa.
It's a rematch from a game played at the same field back on June 4 when the Nor'easters beat United 2-0. MD Myers scored both goals that day for Ocean City and Felix Schafer earned the clean sheet in goal. The win extended the Stormr's unbeaten streak against Reading to four games.
It is unknown if a live stream will be available for the game. Check the Nor'easters' social media accounts for updates. The game kicks off at 7 p.m.
Ocean City enters Friday's game seeking to make history. A win or a draw would extend the Storm's unbeaten streak to 11 games dating back to last season. That would set a new club record.
The Nor'easters enter Friday's game in first place in the Mid-Atlantic Division with an undefeated record at 5-0-1. After a 1-1 draw on the road against Real Central New Jersey, Ocean City has won five straight games, which is tied for the longest active win streak in all of USL League Two. In their last game on Saturday, June 11, they traveled to Bethlehem, Pa. and beat Lehigh Valley United, 3-1. Alessandro Arlotti, Galen Flynn and Daniel Diaz-Bonilla all scored for the Nor'easters.
Alessandro Arlotti leads the team in points with 11 (4 goals, 3 assists) and is tied with Nicolas Cam Orellana for the team lead with four goals.Arlotti enters Friday's game riding a six-game point streak, which is two shy of the club record.
Reading United enters Friday's game having not played a game since the June 4 loss to Ocean City. Their last scheduled game was on June 11 and it wasn't played because the Philadelphia Lone Star had to forfeit. Lone Star's home field at Marcus Foster Memorial Stadium was determined to be unplayable because the turf was damaged. Reading was awarded a 3-0 forfeit win.