Cedar Rapids Rampage vs. Milwaukee Wave Central Division Finals Preview
March 7, 2018 - Major Arena Soccer League (MASL)
Cedar Rapids Rampage News Release
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA - After just missing the cut last year, the Cedar Rapids Rampage are a part of the eight team Ron Newman Cup playoff field, and will get their first taste of playoff action this Saturday. Due to a lack of arena availability, the Rampage will play their "home" game against the Milwaukee Wave at the Odeum Sports & Expo Center in Chicago, before playing Sunday at the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena in Milwaukee.
Though the Wave won the Central Division easily with a 17-5 record, it was the Rampage who finished stronger, winning five of their last eight games, including a 5-3 win over Milwaukee on January 18. Milwaukee went just 5-5 over their last 10 games after a dominant 12-0 start to their season.
What's at stake?
Central Division Finals
The Rampage have played more games against Milwaukee than any other team
Milwaukee dealing with several injuries
Things started to go wrong for the Wave during their two game Mexico road trip, where they lost 15-10 in Sonora and 14-10 in Monterrey. Robert Renaud, who was second on the team in scoring at the time with 32 points in 14 games, suffered a season-ending knee injury in Monterrey.
The Wave missed out on the best record in the Eastern Conference by losing two of three games to the Baltimore Blast, and then star goalkeeper Josh Lemos suffered a shoulder injury in the team's final road game in Syracuse and is doubtful for Saturday's game. Drew Ruggles, Andre Hayne, and Guilherme Veiga are also banged up.
Players to watch: Cedar Rapids: Milwaukee:Osvaldo Rojas (8-8-16 in 16 games) Ian Bennett (50-14-64 in 22 games)
Gordy Gurson (30-19-49 in 22 games) Max Ferdinand (15-31-46 in 22 games)
Victor France (17-9-26 in 19 games) Marcio Leite (19-20-39 in 22 games)
00Players to watch: Cedar Rapids: Milwaukee:Osvaldo Rojas (8-8-16 in 16 games) Ian Bennett (50-14-64 in 22 games)
Gordy Gurson (30-19-49 in 22 games) Max Ferdinand (15-31-46 in 22 games)
Victor France (17-9-26 in 19 games) Marcio Leite (19-20-39 in 22 games)
Despite all that, the Rampage still won't have a home game (they were 7-4 at the US Cellular Center this year) and the Wave, who were 10-1 at home, still have Ian Bennett, Max Ferdinand and Marcio Leite. Before January's win in Cedar Rapids, the Rampage had lost five straight to the Wave by a combined 55-22.
The Rampage shed much of their star power as the year went on, but came together as a unit and saw improved results. The Rampage, who were nicknamed Milwaukee West last year, won't have any players with Wave ties this weekend. The Wave, however, have former Rampage players Angel Curiel and Jonatan Santos.
Should the teams split the two games, a 15-minute mini-game will be played immediately following Game 2 on Sunday.
What: Milwaukee Wave (17-5) vs. Cedar Rapids Rampage (11-11)
When: Saturday, March 10, 2018 12:05pm CST
Where: Odeum Sports & Expo Center, Villa Park, IL
What: Cedar Rapids Rampage at Milwaukee Wave
When: Sunday, March 11, 2018 1:05pm CDT
Where: UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena
All-time series: Milwaukee leads, 8-3
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