Reading United go local naming Alvernia head coach to helm team

Casey Moore is the all-time wins leader for Alvernia men’s soccer

Reading United didn’t have to look far to find their new head coach. The USL League Two team announced the hiring of Alvernia men’s soccer head coach Casey Moore on Monday as the club’s 10th head coach.

Moore is the all-time leader in wins in his time as the Alvernia men’s soccer head coach.

“Casey’s experience of working with and coaching young men was exactly what we were looking for,” Troy Snyder, Reading United President, said in a news release. “I am excited for our club, players, and what the future holds for Reading United.”

Moore will add the head coaching job at Reading United to his already full schedule as men’s soccer coach and director of soccer operations at the Division III school in Reading, which has hosted training, several U.S. Open Cup matches and housed Reading United players on campus for many summers.

The Wilson High School and Elizabethtown College grad replaces Alan McCann, who recently took the job as head coach at conference rivals Ocean City Nor’easters after leading Reading to back-to-back appearances in the league final in 2018 and 2019.

“We will work tirelessly to attract the best players within the region while also hoping to secure the best local players,” Moore said in a news release. “I have always felt that there is a lot of talent within the local area and I’m excited to offer these players a genuine opportunity with us. We will continue to provide the best experience and environment for players to develop and compete. We will continue to grow our brand and enhance the culture of excellence within the club.”

There will of course be even greater competition for local talent with West Chester United and Philadelphia Lone Star also now part of the six-team Mid-Atlantic Division. Both were supposed to join the league in 2020 but the season was canceled because of Covid-19.

“Casey and his Alvernia University staff have been very successful in identifying and recruiting local soccer talent,” Reading Vice President Art Auchenbach said in a news release. “With all of the uncertainties created by COVID-19, one thing is very certain, Casey Moore will be well suited to guide our team for the foreseeable future. We look forward to seeing how he integrates the top local and regional talent into the brand of exciting, successful, football Reading United is known for.”

Reading kicks off its 25th season in May. Three more open tryouts for the 2021 squad will be held in the coming months, with the next tryout held on Sunday, February 21 from 1-3 p.m. at Don Thomas Stadium at Exeter Township Senior High School. Players can register at readingunitedac.com/tryouts.