Fans get first look at C.R. Rampage

CEDAR RAPIDS – This just might catch on.

The curtain lifted on the Major Arena Soccer League home debut of the expansion Cedar Rapids Rampage, and what was revealed was an exciting, intensely-competitive brand of soccer.

A crowd of 3,678 fans descended upon the U.S. Cellular Center Friday night to see the city's first professional soccer game, an 11-6 MASL preseason loss to the St. Louis Ambush.

'I had the same goosebumps that I had when we brought the Titans to town,' Rampage Co-Owner and General Manager Chris Kokalis said. 'The community came out and supported. It's finally great to play a game at home.'

Inactive players like Kevin Jackson greeted fans on the lively second-floor concourse before the Rampage gave the home crowd plenty to cheer for on the field in the opening quarter.

After a quick St. Louis goal just 42 seconds into the game, Cedar Rapids followed with three in a row. Midfielder Alex Megson punched one in to tie the game, then former Cedar Rapids Washington and Coe player Jacob Johnson gave the Rampage their first lead at 2-1 with 2:53 left in the opening quarter.

'That's just not backing down,' said Johnson, who also teaches Earth sciences and ecologic problems and is an assistant soccer coach at Washington. 'Own the ball defensively in that half and good things result from it.'

There was a noticeable contingent of youth soccer players in attendance from both the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City areas, all clad in their respective league jerseys. Well over 100 of them swarmed the field for a halftime 'kick-around,' where they delightedly showed off their own considerable skills.

It did not take the fans in the stands long to pick up on some of the nuances of the indoor game. The condensed dimensions of the playing surface made for tough, often physical action. With physical play comes some penalties and back-and-forth jawing, and the crowd relished every opportunity to stand behind their team.

'The crowd is always the seventh man,' Rampage Coach Jeff Kraft said. 'Perfect crowd, perfect atmosphere. Like I told the guys, this is your house. You've got to defend it.'

The Rampage were held scoreless over the second and third quarters, which allowed St. Louis to re-take a lead that eventually ballooned to 7-3 in the fourth quarter. Megson's second goal and a pair from Hewerton Moreira pulled the Rampage within 8-6, but St. Louis tacked on three more when Cedar Rapids pulled the goalkeeper in favor of an extra attacker.

Megson and Moreira both delighted the crowd with their acrobatics — Megson on a pair of attempted scissorkicks, Moreira with a post-goal celebratory cartwheel and somersault.

Cedar Rapids opens the regular season Nov. 7 at the Missouri Comets.

l Comments: douglas.miles@thegazette.com