Former City High players Alejandro and Fernando Pacheco spending summer with Rampage United

CEDAR RAPIDS – For collegiate soccer players trying to step up their skills in the offseason, there are only so many conditioning drills and pickup games.

Former Iowa City High and current Western Illinois University players Alejandro Pacheco and Fernando Pacheco have found a more productive soccer summer home as midfielders with the Cedar Rapids Rampage United.

'It helps staying with the same fitness that we came off of in the season,' said Alejandro Pacheco, who will try to help the Rampage United win their second game in a row Saturday at 7:05 p.m. against the Madison 56ers at Coe's Clark Field. 'Work on the stuff we need to work on, so no offseason. Help us get better.'

The Premier League of America – formerly known as the Great Lakes League – allows for collegiate players to play in the professional developmental league, provided they are not paid.

The Pacheco brothers are two of four Rampage United players who still have college eligibility. Former Cedar Rapids Washington player Jacob Bjornsen also plays for Western Illinois, while Erik Boese attends Wisconsin-Superior.

'There's good players in this league and they're experienced players,' Fernando Pacheco said. 'I think that helps out, and practicing almost every day does, too.'

Rampage United defender Charlie Bales – a former Cedar Rapids Xavier prep and Western Illinois alum – helped connect the dots between Bjornsen, the Pachecos and the Rampage United. Their return to Eastern Iowa has already produced impressive results, as Alejandro Pacheco scored the go-ahead goal in a 3-1 victory May 28 over the Minnesota United Reserves.

'I think it is extremely important for the player to continue their soccer activity,' Rampage United Coach Hewerton Moreira said. 'A lot of college players play their season, and after that they spend a long period of time not playing soccer. They keep themselves in shape, and that's good, but they're not playing the game itself.'

Fernando Pacheco was a two-time Mississippi Valley Conference athlete of the year for the Little Hawks, while Alejandro earned the same honor in 2014. Together, they starred for the last City High club – before this year – to reach the Class 3A state championship game when they were runner-up to crosstown rival Iowa City West in 2013.

'We've improved so much,' Alejandro Pacheco said. 'It's good how much we've improved because it is the first year this club's been together.'

Saturday will be the second meeting between Cedar Rapids (1-1-1, 4 standings points) and winless Madison. The Rampage United controlled much of the action in the first game, but settled for a 1-1 draw.

'The thing we just need to improve on is putting away our chances,' Fernando Pacheco said. 'Just maintain the same working and attitude that we did that game because it will pay off.'

l Comments: douglas.miles@thegazette.com