Gurson lights up home debut crowd in first win for Cedar Rapids Rampage United

CEDAR RAPIDS – Many were curious how vocal the crowd would be in the home debut for the Cedar Rapids Rampage United professional outdoor soccer team.

Gordy Gurson got them up out of their seats.

Gurson christened Clark Field with a breakaway goal in the 15th minute, and former Iowa City High player Alejandro Pacheco scored the final go-ahead goal as the Rampage United won their first Premier League of America game, 3-1, over the Minnesota United Reserves before an estimated crowd of 678 fans Saturday night.

'It was nice to get the first goal at home and rile up the crowd early in the game,” Gurson said. 'The fans were great. They were unbelievable. To have our first game and to get a goal early … To have that at home, with them on our backs, it was huge for us and I think it dictated the rest of the match.”

Gurson opened the scoring after he fielded a long pass from defender John Pachar, sprinted past his defender, and approached the opposing goalkeeper one on one.

No contest.

Gurson's goal delivered the first lead of the season for the Rampage United, and was his second in three games.

Rampage United goalkeeper Alexis Apodaca collected four first-half saves, including two back-to-back during a frenetic exchange in the 44th minute.

'We started the game strong,” Rampage United Coach Hewerton Moreira said. 'We started really well. … They're a good team, a great team to play, but the guys were very committed defensively.”

Miles Stockman-Willis tied the game for Minnesota United Reserves when he punched a goal past second-half Cedar Rapids keeper Rainer Hauss in the 51st minute.

Pacheco – who just completed his sophomore year at Western Illlinois – collected a rebound in front of the opposing goal and slipped the ball into the net and gave Cedar Rapids (1-1-1) the lead for good in the 68th minute.

'I just saw a loose ball and I said I'm going to sprint down and hopefully it lands close to the goal,” Pacheco said. 'And then I just slotted it past the keeper.”

Sam Guernsey provided the final goal in stoppage time off an assist from Kenan Malicevic.

AT CLARK FIELD

Cedar Rapids Rampage United 3, Minnesota United Reserves 1

Goals –

Cedar Rapids: Gordy Gurson (2), Alejandro Pacheco (1), Sam Guernsey (1); Minnesota: Miles Stockman-Willis (1).

Assists –

John Pachar, Kenan Malicevic.

l Comments: douglas.miles@thegazette.com