READING, Pa. - Former US Youth International and current Penn State Abington men's and women's soccer Head Coach, David Castellanos has been named as Head Coach for Reading United A.C. for the 2014 USL PDL Season.

The USSF and NSCAA licensed coach will assume the Reading United Head Coach position starting January 1 and will be present at the December 30 Reading United tryouts.

Castellanos replaces Brendan Burke, who will see his Philadelphia Union coaching duties expanded this season.

"David brings tremendous energy and understanding of the Philadelphia Union Development structure, and the goals of Reading United.  His youth international, collegiate, and professional playing experience combined with his well-established youth and collegiate coaching pedigree form a perfect balance for his transition to the PDL coaching ranks. We are confident that David's skill set will be beneficial to our players, team and program." stated Reading United President Art Auchenbach.

Former Reading United Head Coach, Brendan Burke, will see his Philadelphia Union coaching duties expanded this season as the Union look to build on their 2013 season, which featured three Reading alumni on the roster (Ray Gaddis, Aaron Wheeler and Leo Fernandes).  Burke is expected to remain a vital link in the Union development pyramid, which started in 2010 and quickly saw not only player transitions to the Union, but also coaches like Burke and former Reading United Super 20 Head Coach Jim Curtin (now also an assistant with the Union).

"I am extremely excited to be part of a club with such great tradition as Reading.  I look forward to this great opportunity and to a successful season with continued wins", stated Castellanos.

Born in Fairfax, Virginia, Castellanos grew up in Philadelphia. In 1998, he graduated from Christopher Dock Mennonite High School. As a youth player, he was on the U.S. U17 & U20 National Team where he featured with players such as former Union defender Dan Califf.

Castellanos began his collegiate career at Mercer County Community College in 1998, two years later, he transferred to the University of Connecticut. That season, the Huskies won the 2000 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship with Castellanos providing an assist in the title win over Creighton University. Castellanos graduated with a bachelor's degree in sociology.

The bi-lingual Castellanos turned professional with C.D. Motagua in the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional de Honduras in 2002. He signed with the Colorado Rapids in 2004 and also played for the Minnesota Thunder and Virginia Beach Mariners of USL.

Castellanos moved indoors with the Philadelphia KiXX of the Major Indoor Soccer League in 2005. Castellanos played for the KiXX until the team ceased operations in 2010. During that time, the KiXX won the 2007 MISL championship.

Currently Castellanos is currently the head coach of the Penn State Abington men's and women's soccer squad and is also the head coach of the U12, U13, and U15 Contintental FC Delco Academy (one of the Philadelphia Union Youth Academy Partner Clubs).

At Penn State Abington, Castellanos holds a 80-58-12 overall record for the men's squad, leading them to five consecutive North Eastern Athletic Conference tournament apparenaces as well as four Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) apperances. On the women's side, Castellanos is the winningest coach in program history at Penn State Abington, holding a 61-49-5 overall record and leading them to three consecutive NEAC Tournament apperances with a Championship victory in 2011.

Castellanos will still continue his post as the men's and women's soccer head coach at Penn State Abington.

Reading United enter the 2014 season looking to build upon their recent successes including a potential 6th straight US Open Cup appearance (a U.S. soccer record), an opportunity for a 7th straight PDL playoff berth and continued player recognition within our Conference and All League teams.  The 2013 Reading United team featured two players (Jason Plumhoff and Damion Lowe) named to the All PDL Team.  Additionally, five Reading United alumni were part of the fifty college seniors invited to the 2014 MLS Combine (Kadeem Dacres, Steve Neumann, Jimmy Ockford, Pedro Ribeiro, and Ben Sweat).