USL League Two Update: West Chester United off to a good start

West Chester United SC is off to a hot start in USL League Two play. Through three matches, the local team leads the Mid-Atlantic division with a 2-0-1 record, already four points clear of their closest competitor.

Defense has been the key to West Chester’s success. Blaise Santangelo’s side is yet to give up a goal after 270 minutes of soccer in wins against Philly Lone Star and Lehigh Valley United, and their latest affair, a scoreless draw with Real Central New Jersey.

On the offensive end, Troy Amspacher has led the charge in West Chester’s young season. 

Now a 26 year-old, Amspacher has two goals and an assist already this year, including the game-winning goal in the season opener, a 1-0 victory against Philly Lone Star. 

Amspacher also had two goal contributions in last Wednesday’s win over Lehigh Valley United. Spencer Burkhardt, Justin Jaime, Leon Maric and Carter Burris each pitched in a goal to cap off a 5-0 dismantling of Lehigh Valley. Notably, all goal-scorers but Burris, who hails from southern Delaware, are from the surrounding suburbs of Philadelphia.

West Chester United currently has a stranglehold on the early race in the Mid-Atlantic division, however, this may be due to the disparity of games played. Santangelo’s team has played at least one match more than the six other Mid-Atlantic clubs, with both the Ocean City Nor’easters and Northern Virginia FC perfect at 1-0.

The next test comes tonight against 2019 national runner-up Reading United AC.

Other Notes:

Speaking of Reading United, the typical USL League Two power is yet to record a win in the 2021 campaign. Lehigh Valley United, after falling 5-0 to West Chester United in midweek play, bounced back incredibly last Saturday, shocking Reading 5-1. Union Academy grad Nick Pariano had Reading’s lone goal wile Colby Raymond and Perry Kingson each had braces and Ben Liscum also scored for Lehigh Valley.

While there aren’t many data points to go off of so far, it appears as if Reading will face an uphill battle this season to return to its pre-pandemic glory, although they get a chance to shuffle the standings as early as this week. Reading United will head to Kildare’s Turf Field tonight looking for a statement win against the division’s top side West Chester, while Lehigh Valley United will host the Nor’easters. 

Meanwhile, Philly Lone Star FC takes a break until the weekend when they host Lehigh Valley United for their home opener. Lone Star FC is currently 0-2.