Players from Villanova, Temple, and St. Joseph’s will spend summer in Reading for USL League Two season
READING, PA (April 16, 2019) – Reading United will add a bit of Philly flavor for the 2019 season, bringing five players with Philadelphia collegiate ties to our 2019 roster. Villanova’s Theo Quartey and Richie Schlentz, Temple’s Esteban Suarez Gomez and Corey Burkhardt, and St. Joseph’s Alvin Dahn will be joining Reading this summer, pending league approval.
“We’re looking forward to having these new players to be part of the squad,” said United head coach Alan McCann. “Working with them to integrate them into the Reading culture will be a big part of the first few weeks for them. I’m really excited to have such a talented group of players.”
Quartey was named one of USL League Two’s Top College Prospects in the midfield, after impressing at Black Rock FC during the 2018 season. While at Black Rock, he impressed with three goals and six assists for the North East Division champions. Coincidentally, Quartey assisted on the lone Black Rock goal during their Eastern Conference semifinal appearance in Reading last summer. The speedy midfielder garnered accolades during his freshman season at ‘Nova, named to the Big East All-Freshman Team and Philly Soccer Six All-Rookie unit. The Ghanian-born winger appeared in 16 contests for the Wildcats this past season, collecting one assist.
A skilled back on the left side, Schlentz saw time in all 16 games for Villanova this past season, starting 13 games and collecting two assists. The Wildcat spent part of his 2018 summer in the NPSL, playing for local squad West Chester United. The West Chester native spent time in his youth with the Philadelphia Union Juniors program and the ‘99 Union Academy Team, adding yet another player with Union Academy experience to the United.
Suarez Gomez will begin his sophomore year at Temple this upcoming season, part of their most recent recruiting class. The defender played one year at Anahuac Queretaro, a Mexican university located roughly 150 miles from Mexico City. Prior to his college years, Esteban played six years for the Pumas Universidad Nacional, one of Mexico’s premier teams, spending time with their U17 and U20 squads.
Burkhardt is a graduate transfer to Temple, using his final year of eligibility with the Owls. Corey spent his first three seasons at Seton Hall with his twin brother (and Reading United teammate), Spencer; now he’ll spend his final collegiate season with his younger brother, Andrew. The Palmyra, PA native saw time in 37 games for the Pirates, including 19 starts. Prior to his time at Seton Hall, he spent two years with the PA Classic U16-U18 Academy teams.
Dahn had a breakout sophomore season with St. Joe’s, netting seven goals with ten assists in 17 starts. His ten assists led all Philadelphia city players and tied for the St. Joe’s single-season program record. The Liberian-born midfielder was named to the 2018 Philadelphia Soccer 6 All-Star Team for his efforts this past season.
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