It's Time for the Silver Knights to Rampage
December 2, 2016 - Major Arena Soccer League (MASL)
Syracuse Silver Knights News Release
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - With a tough loss in the club's previous match to the Florida Tropics on Nov. 28, the Syracuse Silver Knights hope to bounce back with a win against the Cedar Rapids Rampage in an interdivisional battle in the Major Arena Soccer League. The Knights could use the win at home, especially with the team's next three matches away from the friendly turf of Dave and Buster's Field in the Oncenter War Memorial Arena.
Honoring the Fallen from Brazil
In tribute to the Brazilian people who lost their lives in the terrible plane crash that occurred this week in Colombia, the Silver Knights will dedicate a moment of silence prior to Friday's match to honor those who died in the disaster. The Knights and Cedar Rapids both have connections to Brazil. Syracuse midfielder Luiz Mota is a native of the country, as are Rampage Player-Coach Hewerton Moreira, Assistant Coach Chico Parisotto and players Jonatan Santos and Pablo Da Silva.
The Flopper!
While Cedar Rapids midfielder Gordy Gurson is off to an impressive start this season for the Rampage, Silver Knights fans know him more for his soft and deceptive style of play rather than as a player who recently made the MASL Players of the Week squad. With his ability to tumble over from the softest of breezes and act more wounded than actors in Saving Private Ryan, Gurson has earned a reputation with the Knights as a player who will do all he can to draw penalties on the opposition, whether an opponent makes contact with him or not.
More Moises!
The Silver Knights knew forward Moises Gonzalez had a penchant for finding the back of the net from his previous campaigns for Brownsville in the MASL. In limited minutes so far this season, Gonzalez already leads the Knights in goals scored with three, and he's coming off a season where he tallied 34 goals last year. Don't be surprised if he sees more time on the field as his match fitness improves, especially if he keeps finishing in the final third of the field the way he has in the first two matches.
Start Me Up!
The Silver Knights have been a second half team so far this season, and that's something that GM Tommy Tanner and Coach Bryan O'Quinn would like to improve upon. The team failed to score in the first half of the opener versus Harrisburg, and they managed just two goals in their second match against the Florida Tropics. Fans can expect a lot more energy out of the gate on Friday, since the early season jitters are gone and the club made a good start a point of emphasis against the Rampage.
The Return of Darren Toby
The Silver Knights have played without the team's MVP from last season, Darren Toby, for its first two matches as he recovered from a few minor injuries and needed to attain match fitness. Fans will have to wait no more to see him, as GM Tommy Tanner expects Toby, who was also the club's defensive player of the year, to be ready for the match against Cedar Rapids. Toby brings a wealth of experience, pace and power to the Knights backline, and the Rampage would be wise to account from him when he's on the field. In addition to his stellar defensive work, he's capable of scoring goals and providing assists.
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Major Arena Soccer League Stories from December 2, 2016
- Gurson's Late Goal Gives Rampage 6-5 Road Win in Syracuse - Cedar Rapids Rampage
- MASL Opens December with Eight Games - MASL
- Blast Introduce Junior Blast Club - Baltimore Blast
- Dallas Sidekicks to Host Women in Sports Night - Dallas Sidekicks
- Ambush Battle Wave in Milwaukee Saturday - St. Louis Ambush
- Comets Host Undefeated Mustangs Tomorrow - Kansas City Comets
- It's Time for the Silver Knights to Rampage - Syracuse Silver Knights
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