Mustangs at Rampage Game Preview
January 5, 2017 - Major Arena Soccer League (MASL)
Cedar Rapids Rampage News Release
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA- Two streaks are on the line at the US Cellular Center and one of them will be snapped when the final whistle blows on Friday's Cedar Rapid Rampage and Chicago Mustangs game.
The Rampage hope to extend their seven game winning streak, which began after back-to-back one-goal losses to Chicago in November. If they are successful, it will be their first win over the Mustangs, who own a 5-0 record in the all-time series.
It's almost hard to envision the time this season when the Rampage were 1-2 and Chicago was in first place with a 4-0 start. Cedar Rapids has been surging while the Mustangs have been looking lost on the field.
Chicago has lost three out of their last four to fall two games behind the Rampage. Their only win during that stretch was a spectacular come-from-behind after trailing the Syracuse Silver Knights 6-2 after three quarters. Wrapped around that game they absorbed hard losses to Kansas City and back-to-back drubbings at the feet of their biggest rival, the Milwaukee Wave. Ian Bennett had his way with the Mustangs, scoring 13 times in the two games.
The Mustangs are led by Taylor Bond. The towering blond has 16 goals and is Chicago's runaway leading scorer. His 21 points are followed by Miguel Vaca's 12. More surprising and disappointing are the eight points the team has gotten out of former MVP Efrain "Wilo" Martinez. Getting Wilo back on track is imperative for Chicago's playoff hopes.
One more streak the Rampage would like to extend is Gordy Gurson's point streak. "Kid Dynamite" has points in 26 straight games and leads the Rampage with 22 points. Nipping at his heels is player/head coach Hewerton Moreira who is at 20 points following his four goal, three assist eruption against Florida New Year's Eve. Defender Jonatan Santos is also in the thick of the offense with 17 points. Santos is tied for third in the MASL with 12 assists. Gurson is ninth in points and eighth in goals.
High-flying goalkeeper Brett Petricek leads the MASL with eight wins and is second in save percentage and fourth in goals against average. Petricek has been named to the MASL Team of the Week two weeks running. Hewerton also made this week's top six.
The Rampage will visit the Tacoma Stars in Kent, WA on Jaunary 13 and then return home for a double header weekend, January 20-21, against the defending Newman Cup champion Baltimore Blast and the Syracuse Silver Knights. Tickets are on sale starting at just $9 and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com or the U.S. Cellular Center box office.
What: Chicago Mustangs (5-3) at Cedar Rapids Rampage (8-2)When: Friday, January 6 7:05 PM CST
Where: US Cellular Center, Cedar Rapids, IA
All-time series: Mustangs lead 5-0
Players to watch:Cedar Rapids:Gordy Gurson (14 goals, 8 assists, 22 points in 10 games)Hewerton Moreira (13-7-20 in 10 games)
Chicago:
Taylor Bond (16-5-21 in 8 games)
Efrain "Wilo" Martinez (6-2-8 in 8 games)
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Major Arena Soccer League Stories from January 5, 2017
- Mke Wave vs St. Louis Saturday Afternoon at Uw-Milwaukee Panther Arena; Ian Bennett Named Masl Playe - Milwaukee Wave
- Mustangs at Rampage Game Preview - Cedar Rapids Rampage
- Stars Return to Action against Baja - Tacoma Stars
- Ontario Fury Hit Road for Tour of California - Ontario Fury
- Dallas Faces Florida, Baltimore on Weekend Road Trip - Dallas Sidekicks
- Masl Player of the Week for Weeks Nine and Ten - MASL
- Silver Knights on the Airwaves - Syracuse Silver Knights
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