Wins have Rampage United feeling right at home

CEDAR RAPIDS — The Cedar Rapids Rampage United bring back-to-back wins and a lot of positive juice into Friday's game against Minneapolis City SC.

With second place in the West Division of the Premier League of America up for grabs, the Rampage United (2-1-1, 7 standings points) are ready to build on wins over Minnesota United Reserves and Madison.

'They are very dedicated offensively and defensively,' Rampage United Coach Hewerton Moreira said. 'They've really bought into the system. From the beginning of the season, we said, 'We're going to step on the field to keep the ball, to maintain the ball possession and to press the other team hard.' … They've really bought into that and I think that's the key for the success of this team right now.'

Minneapolis City (2-0-1, 7 standings points) has surrendered just one goal in three games entering Friday's match, which begins at 7:05 p.m. and is the third game in a row for Cedar Rapids at Clark Field.

'It's nice to have a nice little home break where we're getting to play in front of our fans,' Rampage United forward Gordy Gurson said. 'Having them have our backs, rain or shine, it's unbelievable and I think we're just going to keep rolling and we're excited for Friday.'

Gurson and Cedar Rapids defender Charlie Bales both received recent accolades. After a two-score performance in Saturday's victory over Madison, Bales became the first Rampage United player to be named to the PLA Team of the Week.

Gurson was selected to play in the Major Arena Soccer League 2016 International Challenge , which pits Team USA's indoor team against the Mexican indoor national team June 27 in Ontario, Calif. Rampage personnel will be on hand for the indoor player combine in attempt to glean a couple of prospects for the winter indoor team.

'This is one more event to try to bring attention to the MASL and I think that's really smart,' Moreira said. 'For a few years they didn't do combines and they didn't do preseason tournaments and I think that was something that the league needed again.'

l Comments: douglas.miles@thegazette.com