Former Reading FC Trialist Hails Top-Class Spell With Royals

Named as MLS Rookie of the Year in 2013, the sparky midfielder spent a whole month at Hogwood to impress boss Steve Clarke, who had intimated a deal could be done in the upcoming January transfer window.

However, Clarke was sacked in December 2015, midway through Powers' spell. As a result, incoming manager Brian McDermott sent the central midfielder back to Colorado Rapids, where the player prepares for the new American season while looking back on his stay in the Royal County.

"Reading was a top-class experience, for me."
"The club is really well-run and they were very welcoming to me from the start. I experienced a good level of football there, and learned a lot from my experience there.
"I think just being around that standard was enough to make you improve your game, and to play quicker, to think ahead — which are normal things that you have to do in MLS as well."

Speaking to SBISoccer.com, the 24-year-old also revealed conversations with fellow American midfielder Danny Williams as he looks to impress in the States and possibly replicate Williams' international exploits.

"We exchanged some conversations, and he really helped me feel welcome and was very supportive during my stay."
"He made me feel like I was doing well there."
"If it makes sense over the course of my career, then yeah, I would like to [play abroad], but having said that, I'm in a very good league right now and there's a lot of competition [with the Rapids].
"So there's room for me to improve here."

Was it worthwhile bringing Powers to Reading? Should the club be using the trial system to sample players from abroad more often? Comment below.