Dec. 19: Rampage Host La Raza On Sunday
Published on December 19, 2009 under Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL)
Rockford Rampage News Release
ROCKFORD, Ill. -- The Rockford Rampage hope to quickly turn the page and get back to their winning ways when they host La RaZa de Monterrey for a 5:05 p.m. game on Sunday, Dec. 20, at the MetroCentre.
Rockford sports a 2-1 record in the Major Indoor Soccer League standings, but the Rampage want to erase the bitter taste left following their previous match, a 20-6 loss to the Philadelphia KiXX on Dec. 4.
"Sometimes -- I hate to say this -- you need a game like that to bring you back to reality," Rampage head coach Jeff Kraft said. "We had a major letdown. They were an 0-2 team, we were 2-0, and we didn't finish our chances. It was one of those games. But we'll bounce back and show some character."
La RaZa (2-2) historically is one of the higher-scoring teams in league play. To offset Monterrey's strong offensive attack, the Rampage's brunt of possession will be amplified as a major key to this match.
"Possession is half the game," Kraft said. "They've got some great players and we just have to step up defensively. If we do, then offensively everything else will fall into place. We can't give them an inch. We've trained hard for this."
Monterrey certainly is heading into the MetroCentre with a chip on its shoulder. Rockford ended La RaZa's 2008-2009 National Indoor Soccer League season in the semifinals on April 3 at the MetroCentre.
In regular-season play, the Rampage/La RaZa series is tied at 3-all, with each team holding a 2-1 record on its home floor. Rockford's last regular-season home victory against Monterrey was a 24-20 win on March 22.
Rampage defender Chris Brisson, who had been out with an ankle injury, was taken off the MISL Injury Report this week and is expected to be available for Sunday's match.
Monterrey is coming off a 14-13 home loss to the Baltimore Blast on Dec. 13. La RaZa nearly overcame a 10-3 deficit and Lucio Gonzaga's first-half hat trick, cutting the Blast's lead to 10-9 in the third quarter. But Baltimore responded with two goals, followed by two La RaZa scores for the 14-13 final tally.
NOTES:
- Familiar foe: Rampage defender Fabinho played for Monterrey La Raza of the World Indoor Soccer League. In 2000, Fabinho and current La RaZa head coach Mariano Bollella were teammates as they earned the WISL championship title. Bollella was the WISL Most Valuable Player that season.
- 200th game: Rampage midfielder Matthew Stewart is slated to make his 200th career regular-season appearance. Stewart made his MISL debut with the San Diego Sockers in the 2002-2003 season.
The Rampage play their home games at the MetroCentre. For tickets, log on to www.RockfordRampage.com or call the Rampage at (779) 423-1082. Individual game tickets are available at www.MetroCentre.com or by calling (815) 968-5222.
Major Indoor Soccer League Stories from December 19, 2009
- Dec. 19: Rampage Host La Raza On Sunday - Rockford Rampage
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