Rampage Attempt to Tame Mustangs
February 18, 2017 - Major Arena Soccer League (MASL)
Cedar Rapids Rampage News Release
Hoffman Estates, IL - The Cedar Rapids Rampage will be officially out of the playoff hunt if the Milwaukee Wave beat the Kansas City Comets tonight, but a win Sunday against the Chicago Mustangs would be no less enjoyable for the Rampage. The Rampage are 0-6 against the Mustangs all-time including three heartbreaking losses this year.
A lot has happened since then, but there was a time this year when the Rampage were 8-3, and all three losses had come at the feet of the Mustangs. The Mustangs are the least of the Rampage's problems of late as the team has dropped five of their last eight games. Chicago, meanwhile, has also struggled since a 4-0 start. Their Central Division rivals have been nearly unstoppable. Kansas City has won nine in a row and Milwaukee has won eight of their last nine.
Chicago has released long-time star Miguel Vaca, and three other key Mustangs are having the worst seasons of their career. Efrain "Wilo" Martinez has just 17 points (down from 46 in 2015/16) in 16 games, Luis "Pee Wee" Ortega has just nine points (down from 26) in 12 games, and Alexis Camarena has just six points (down from 24) in 13 games. In their last meeting on January 6, it was Vaca's four goals that keyed Chicago's 7-5 win in Cedar Rapids.
The Mustangs offense begins and ends with Taylor Bond, who has taken his game to a new level after last year's breakout season. Bond has 31 goals and 42 points, meaning he has scored or assisted 43% of Chicago's 98 goals this season. Bond has six goals and four assists in the three games against Cedar Rapids this year and seven hat tricks this season.
Gordy Gurson is ready to turn the page and get back after it after being held scoreless in three of the last four games. Gurson lost his team lead in points to Hewerton Moreira. Both players have 22 goals and Hewerton has a 12-10 advantage in assists. "I'm still crushed from Thursday night's loss in front of our home crowd but it's time to get back up and finish this season with some results," Gurson said.
The Rampage have just two regular season games left and the chance to get their first win against Chicago, and their 12th win of the season will be powerful motivation for Cedar Rapids regardless of the playoff implications.
What's at stake?
Chicago's perfect 6-0 record against Cedar Rapids
Both teams want to finish the season on a high note
Former Mustangs Joshio Sandoval, Tony Aguilar, and Hewerton Moreira return to the Sears Centre
What's at stake?
Chicago's perfect 6-0 record against Cedar Rapids
Both teams want to finish the season on a high note
Former Mustangs Joshio Sandoval, Tony Aguilar, and Hewerton Moreira return to the Sears Centre
What: Cedar Rapids Rampage (11-7) at Chicago Mustangs (9-7)
When: Sunday, February 19 3:05pm CSTWhere: Sears Centre, Hoffman Estates, IL
All-time series: Chicago leads, 6-0
Players to watch:Cedar Rapids:Hewerton Moreira (22 goals, 12 assists, 34 points in 18 games)
Gordy Gurson (22-10-32 in 18 games)
Chicago:
Taylor Bond (31-11-42 in 16 games)
Major Arena Soccer League Stories from February 18, 2017
- Rampage Attempt to Tame Mustangs - Cedar Rapids Rampage
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
