Rampage announce player tryouts

CEDAR RAPIDS - The Cedar Rapids Rampage, an expansion arena soccer team set to begin play this fall in the Major Arena Soccer League, is seeking candidates to make their roster.

The club will host a pair of tryouts over the weekend of August 15-16 at the U.S. Cellular Center, their home arena.

The club expects to hire a coach in the coming weeks, one likely with player personnel responsibilities.

The Rampage will host their first Major Arena Soccer League game on Oct. 30. The 20-game regular season runs through February, with the playoffs in March.

Here is the press release from the club:

Cedar Rapids, IA: The Cedar Rapids Rampage announced Friday that the first open tryout for the 2015-16 squad will take place on Saturday, August 15th and Sunday, August 16th. The tryout will take place at the US Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids, IA. Registration and warm-up will begin at 9:00 am with the tryout starting at 10:00 am on Saturday. Tryouts will continue on Sunday beginning at 10:00 am and ending at 1:00 pm. All players trying out should be available both dates.

The registration fee to tryout is $65 and includes a t-shirt (cash or credit card only). Housing is available for players traveling in from out of town. The cost for housing is $25 per night per player. The Rampage expects players from throughout the country to attend the tryouts. This tryout will also give the team their first look at local talent.

'This is our first opportunity to take a look at local talent and for players in the area to come out and see if they have what it takes to play professional soccer,” said Chris Kokalis, Rampage co-owner and general manager.

The Cedar Rapids Rampage are members of the Major Arena Soccer League (MASL). The MASL was formed in 2014 by teams from the Professional Arena Soccer League and Major Indoor Soccer League. The league represents the highest level of professional indoor soccer in the world, and features 24 teams across North America, with teams playing coast-to-coast in the United States and Mexico.

'Since announcing the franchise we have received calls and emails from players around the world wanting to play here In Cedar Rapids.” said ??? 'We are looking for the right players who want to help our franchise win a championship.”

The Rampage have been interviewing head coaching candidates from throughout the country over the past few weeks and hope to announce a head coach within the next few weeks.

Those wanting to try out can pre-register by visiting the Rampage website www.cedarrapidsrampage.com or by calling the Rampage office at 319-730-6301. Players planning to pay by credit card should register no later then August 14th.

l Comments: douglas.miles@thegazette.com