Rampage Set For Philly Doubleheader
January 8, 2010 - Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL)
Rockford Rampage News Release
ROCKFORD, Ill. -- The Rockford Rampage prepare for their first home-and-home weekend series of the 2009-2010 Major Indoor Soccer League season.
They travel to Philadelphia to take on the KiXX for a 6:05 p.m. (CST) match on Saturday at the Liacouras Center. Then at 5:05 p.m. Sunday, the Rampage host Philadelphia at the MetroCentre. Starting this Sunday, the Rampage are offering a FatWallet Family Section deal: 4 tickets, 4 hot dogs and 4 sodas for only $44 -- a $26 savings.
Rockford (3-2) hopes to get back on the winning track following its 10-8 loss to the defending champion Baltimore Blast on Dec. 27. The Rampage held an early 4-0 lead but could not hang on for the victory.
The KiXX are in the midst of a three-game losing streak, their latest a 23-13 defeat against La RaZa de Monterrey on Jan. 3. Philadelphia currently is last in the MISL standings with a 1-5 record, but that one win happened to come against the host Rampage on Dec. 4, a 20-6 rout at the MetroCentre.
"We know the last time we played them they got the best of us," Rampage head coach Jeff Kraft said. "Our team has a whole different mind-set, and we need to jump early."
Rockford enters the weekend in third place in the MISL, but only a half-game behind first-place Baltimore and Milwaukee. While the Rampage offense has yet to truly showcase a burst this season on the scoreboard (their 10 points in a Nov. 13 win against Baltimore is a season high), Kraft is confident this team will come around.
"It's not like we haven't had chances," Kraft said. "Every game, I say we've had more [chances] than the other team. So we'll get in sync one of these games. I'm not approaching this like we're in panic mode. Eventually we'll get back on the winning track."
Philadelphia leads the head-to-head series over Rockford with a 3-2 record. The Rampage posted a 16-2 win over the KiXX on March 8, 2009, and a 4-2 victory on Feb. 22, 2009.
Saturday's game marks the KiXX's home opener and their first match at the Liacouras Center, located on the campus of Temple University. They previously played their home games at the Wachovia Spectrum.
Notes:
- Familiar face: Philadelphia goalkeeper Sanaldo joined the KiXX this season to replace goalkeeper Peter Pappas, who retired before the 2009-2010 season. Sanaldo played for the Rampage last season as he helped Rockford en route to a runner-up finish during the 2008-2009 National Indoor Soccer League season.
- Making their points: The Rampage's Semir Mesanovic and Bato Radoncic are tied for the team lead with 10 points apiece. Mesanovic has scored a goal in three straight games entering this weekend. The KiXX's Anthony Maher and Adauto Neto are tied for the team lead in points with 15 apiece. Maher is coming off a hat trick and seven-point effort against La RaZa on Jan. 3.
- Injury report: The Rampage's Fred Degand is questionable with a hamstring injury. For the KiXX, Jeremy Ortiz is questionable with a foot injury and Angel Rivillo is probable with a leg injury.
Major Indoor Soccer League Stories from January 8, 2010
- Rampage Set For Philly Doubleheader - Rockford Rampage
- Wave Sweep Player Of The Month Honors - Milwaukee Wave
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