First test for C.R. Rampage after week of camp

CEDAR RAPIDS – With a week of training camp under their belts, it is time for the Cedar Rapids Rampage to take an early look at exactly what they have.

The Major Arena Soccer League expansion franchise takes the field for the first time Saturday in a preseason game at fellow Central Division foe St. Louis Ambush.

'What we're looking to see from a lot of these guys is just how they maintain themselves with the crowd, how they maintain themselves against veteran players,” Rampage Coach Jeff Kraft said. 'It's that combination you've just got to get a feel for.”

Kraft directed a spirited, competitive first week of training on the football field at Coe College. Of the 16 players signed before camp, all but MASL veterans Carlos Farias and Alex Megson (prior commitments) practiced all week. The former league MVP Farias, 39, will also serve alongside Kraft as an assistant coach.

A few unsigned players were also invited to camp, including Brazilian twins Gustavo and Guilherme Rodrigues. Both were impressive throughout the week and signed to contracts on Friday. Goalkeeper Alexis Apodaca, who was an MASL rookie last season with the Ontario Fury, was also signed.

The Rampage training camp has featured a solid mix of MASL veterans and league rookies. Kraft singled out a pair of local names – former Cedar Rapids Xavier player Charlie Bales and Chris Fitch, who played at Coe – as two rookies who have had an especially strong week. The confluence of young, hungry newcomers and wily league veterans all vying for a spot on an expansion roster has only heightened the level of competition.

'It's a fresh start for everybody,” said midfielder Armando Tello, who split time between Tacoma and Detroit in the MASL last season. 'The face of the franchise is up for grabs and a lot of players want it.”

Kraft and the players have already been out in the community generating interest in the club, including a stop at the Tuma Soccer Complex last weekend during a youth soccer tournament.

Saturday is the first of three games before the regular season begins Nov. 6. The Rampage will visit the Milwaukee Wave in two weeks, then debut at the U.S. Cellular Center Oct. 30 against St. Louis.

'I think it will be a huge test for us,” said goalkeeper Steven Hamersky, who played for Kraft at now-defunct Wichita last season. 'It will be a good wakeup for all of us to know this is the pace that we're at and this is where we need to be.”

CEDAR RAPIDS RAMPAGE TRAINING CAMP PARTICIPANTS

MASL veterans -

Alexis Apodaca, Carlos Farias, Samuel Guernsey, Steven Hamersky, Kevin Jackson, Alex Megson, Kyle Nsien, Alfee Robbins, Armando Tello, Alex Tozer.

Rookies -

Charlie Bales (C.R. Xavier), Mohamadou Bouare (I.C. West), Chris Fitch (Coe), Jacob Johnson (C.R. Washington, Coe), Jean Paul Mbayo, Spencer Nash, Antonello Paradiso, Patrizio Paradiso, Guilherme Rodrigues, Gustavo Rodrigues, Leo Velazquez.

CEDAR RAPIDS RAMPAGE 2015-16 SCHEDULE

(Home games in ALL CAPS)

10/03/15 at St. Louis Ambush, 7:15 p.m.

10/15/15 at Milwaukee Wave, 10 a.m.

10/30/15 ST. LOUIS AMBUSH, 7:05 p.m.

REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE

11/06/15 at Missouri Comets, TBA

11/15/15 DETROIT WAZA, 3:05 p.m.

11/21/15 at Milwaukee Wave, TBA

11/28/15 MISSOURI COMETS, 7:05 p.m.

12/04/15 CHICAGO MUSTANGS, 7:05 p.m.

12/12/15 MILWAUKEE WAVE, 7:05 p.m.

12/18/15 CHICAGO MUSTANGS, 7:05 p.m.

12/19/15 ST. LOUIS AMBUSH, 7:05 p.m.

12/26/15 at Detroit Waza, TBA

12/31/15 MISSOURI COMETS, 7:05 p.m.

01/02/16 at Chicago Mustangs, TBA

01/15/16 HARRISBURG HEAT, 7:05 p.m.

01/16/16 HARTFORD CITY FC, 7:05 p.m.

01/22/16 at Tacoma Stars, TBA

01/30/16 at Milwaukee Wave, TBA

02/13/16 ST. LOUIS AMBUSH, 7:05 p.m.

02/20/16 at St. Louis Ambush, TBA

02/21/16 at Detroit Waza, TBA

02/27/16 at Harrisburg Heat, TBA

02/28/16 at Syracuse Silver Knights, TBA

l Comments: douglas.miles@thegazette.com