Goals are the goal for Cedar Rapids Rampage United

CEDAR RAPIDS – After two road games, Cedar Rapids Rampage United Coach Hewerton Moreira sees a lot he likes from his soccer club.

Good pace, long periods of ball control and a strong defense have been on display through a loss and a tie in the first two games of the team's debut in the Premier League of America.

Now, it's time to start putting the ball in the back of the net.

'We're creating good chances,” said Moreira, who leads the Rampage United into their home debut Saturday at 7:05 p.m. against the Minnesota United Reserves at Coe College's Clark Field. 'We're creating good looks, but the problem is we're not finishing.”

The Rampage United opened the season May 14 with a 2-1 loss at the Milwaukee Bavarians, then battled the Madison 56ers to a 1-1 draw last week. The tie earned Cedar Rapids (0-1-1) a standings point in the East Division of the PLA, which used to be known as the Great Lakes League.

'We were able to dominate the game against Madison, especially the second half,” Moreira said. 'We had 17 shots on goal in the second half. So obviously there is a lot of room to improve on how we're finishing.”

While Cedar Rapids has two games under its belt, Saturday will be the first game for the Minnesota United Reserves, which is a developmental club for the Minnesota United FC of the North American Soccer League.

Forwards Gordy Gurson and Antonello Paradiso have provided the goals for the Rampage United, while Paradiso's twin brother, Patrizio Paradiso, is one of three goalkeepers to see action through two games. Alexis Apodaca and Rainer Pires complete the trio of net-minders, all of whom are part of an unspecified rotation and are on equal footing.

'I am trying to build all of my plays from the back and they are very good with their feet,” Moreira said.

Former Cedar Rapids preps Charlie Bales (Xavier) and Jacob Johnson (Washington) continue to see plenty of action for the hometown club. Bales has provided the same staunch defense he did with the Rampage indoor team, while Johnson – also a Rampage player – helps direct the action from the center midfield position.

'It's going to be a little bit of switch from the indoor because that is a high-scoring game,” said Johnson, who played collegiately at Coe. 'Very physical, but a thinking game. There's a lot of moving parts involved. … A full 90-minute match is a whole different battle and I think crowds should respond well to it.”

CEDAR RAPIDS RAMPAGE UNITED (0-1-1)

(Home games in CAPS; all home games at Coe College's Clark Field)

May 14 -

at Milwaukee Bavarians (L, 2-1)

May 20 -

at Madison 56ers (T, 1-1)

May 28 -

MINNESOTA UNITED RESERVES, 7:05 p.m.

June 4 -

MADISON 56ERS, 7:05 p.m.

June 10 -

MINNEAPOLIS CITY SC, 7:05 p.m.

June 19 –

DES MOINES MENACE (friendly), 3:05 p.m.

June 25 -

CROATIAN EAGLES, 7:05 p.m.

June 26 -

at Croatian Eagles, 4 p.m.

July 10 -

MILWAUKEE BAVARIANS, 3:05 p.m.

July 16 -

CKS WARTA (friendly), 7:05 p.m.

July 17 -

at Minneapolis City SC, TBA

July 24 -

at Minnesota United Reserves, TBA

Aug. 8 -

AAC EAGLES (friendly), 7:05 p.m.

l Comments: douglas.miles@thegazette.com