Cedar Rapids Rampage United hoist PLA West Division trophy after shutout of Elgin

CEDAR RAPIDS — Barring an historic feat, the Premier League of America West Division belongs to the Cedar Rapids Rampage United.

'They deserve it,' Rampage United Coach Hewerton Moreira said after his outdoor soccer club closed its second PLA regular season with a 3-0 victory over the Elgin Pumas before 322 fans Saturday night at Kingston Stadium. 'The guys worked extremely hard and to accomplish that, it gives you a lot of confidence going into the playoffs.'

With a record of 9-1, the Rampage United now own a 13-score lead in goal differential over the second-place Milwaukee Bavarians (8-1). Milwaukee would need to defeat the Croatian Eagles by at least 13 goals in its season finale Sunday in order to claim the crown.

Assuming that does not occur, Cedar Rapids will face either first-year PLA club Muskegon (5-2-3) or Carpathia (5-4) in a league championship tournament semifinal this Saturday in Glendale, Wis. The defending league champion Bavarians would play RWB Adria (7-2-1). The winners would meet a day later for the title.

'We're not done yet,' midfielder Alex Bradley said. 'We've got next weekend ahead of us. We're going to be having two games because we want to win that first one and get to the championship game and hopefully bring back another trophy.'

The Rampage United opened the match with three reserves in the starting lineup, but could not break through on the scoreboard against the winless, but game Pumas (0-7-2) until after halftime.

In the 50th minute, Bradley — who played for Madison of the PLA last season — fielded an assist from team captain Gordy Gurson for his second goal of the year. Gurson collected his second assist when defender Sam Guernsey extended the Cedar Rapids lead to 2-0 just under 17 minutes later.

Bradley then teamed with forward Kenan Malicevic — who missed the last four games with an injured hamstring — for a score with just over 10 minutes to play. Malicevic is second on the team with six goals this season.

'We knew if we stuck to our game, kind of remained patient, the gaps would start to appear,' Bradley said. 'They sure did.'

AT KINGSTON STADIUM

Cedar Rapids Rampage United 3, Elgin Pumas 0

Goals — Alex Bradley, Sam Guernsey, Kenan Malicevic. Assists —

Gordy Gurson 2, Alex Bradley.

l Comments: douglas.miles@thegazette.com