Rockford Rampage
Encyclopedia
The Rockford Rampage were an American indoor soccer
team based in Rockford, Illinois
, USA. Founded in 2005, the team plays in the Major Indoor Soccer League.
The team played its home games at Rockford MetroCentre
. The team colors are black and green. Their last head coach was Jeff Kraft, assisted by his brother Rob Kraft.
, a former member of the former National Professional Soccer League's Illinois Thunder
and the 1980 Canadian Olympic qualifying team. The team currently makes its home in the Rockford MetroCentre
.
On October 7 and 8, 2006, try-outs were held for the, then, Rockford Thunder at the ISC. 24 players arrived from various soccer backgrounds. Some had played locally with the Rockford Raptors, but other players had played in various leagues including: Segunda división mexicana, Tercera división mexicana, Primera División Uruguaya
, 2 Liga Polska, USL First Division
, and Premier Development League (PDL)
.
On March 10, 2007, after defeating the Cincinnati Excite
5-4 with a late goal by Ante Cop, the Thunder secured a position in the AISL finals to face the Massachusetts Twisters
.
On March 31, 2007, the Thunder traveled to West Springfield, Massachusetts
for the AISL Championship. The Twisters claimed the championship winning 11-5.
On August 7, 2007 the AISL announced that the Thunder had changed their name to the Rampage. This is most likely due to the Texas Thunder of the NPF
moving to Rockford.
The Rampage finished the 2007/08 AISL regular season with a 12-1 record. They defeated the Massachusetts Twisters
18-5 in the AISL championship game at home on March 15, 2008.
On September 9, 2008, the Rampage announced they were joining the new Major Indoor Soccer League for its inaugural season in 2008/09. They finished with a 10-8 regular season record, qualified for the playoffs, defeated Monterrey in the playoff semifinals, but lost to Baltimore 13-10 in the NISL championship game.
On July 7, 2009, it was announced that the Rockford Rampage acquired the Chicago Magic youth soccer club and its nationally recognized Development Academy and structured them as a non-profit organization.
†Only includes two out of four years
Indoor soccer
Indoor soccer or arena soccer, or six-a-side football in the United Kingdom, is a game derived from association football adapted for play in an indoor arena such as a turf-covered hockey arena or skating rink. The most important difference in play is that the indoor field is surrounded by a wall...
team based in Rockford, Illinois
Rockford, Illinois
Rockford is a mid-sized city located on both banks of the Rock River in far northern Illinois. Often referred to as "The Forest City", Rockford is the county seat of Winnebago County, Illinois, USA. As reported in the 2010 U.S. census, the city was home to 152,871 people, the third most populated...
, USA. Founded in 2005, the team plays in the Major Indoor Soccer League.
The team played its home games at Rockford MetroCentre
Rockford MetroCentre
The BMO Harris Bank Center is a 10,000-seat multi-purpose arena in downtown Rockford, Illinois. It is currently home to the AHL's Rockford IceHogs hockey team...
. The team colors are black and green. Their last head coach was Jeff Kraft, assisted by his brother Rob Kraft.
History
The Rampage were originally owned by Pro Soccer International, a group managed by Michael O'Flaherty and Oscar AlbuquerqueOscar Albuquerque
Oscar Albuquerque is a former Canadian soccer midfielder. He spent most of his professional career playing indoor soccer with U.S. teams...
, a former member of the former National Professional Soccer League's Illinois Thunder
Illinois Thunder
The Illinois Thunder were an indoor soccer club that competed in the National Professional Soccer League.After the 1991/92 season, the team became the Denver Thunder.-Year-by-year:...
and the 1980 Canadian Olympic qualifying team. The team currently makes its home in the Rockford MetroCentre
Rockford MetroCentre
The BMO Harris Bank Center is a 10,000-seat multi-purpose arena in downtown Rockford, Illinois. It is currently home to the AHL's Rockford IceHogs hockey team...
.
On October 7 and 8, 2006, try-outs were held for the, then, Rockford Thunder at the ISC. 24 players arrived from various soccer backgrounds. Some had played locally with the Rockford Raptors, but other players had played in various leagues including: Segunda división mexicana, Tercera división mexicana, Primera División Uruguaya
Primera División Uruguaya
The Liga Profesional de Primera División , also known as the Primera División Uruguaya or Primera División de Uruguay , is a professional football league in Uruguay at the top of the country's football league system. It is organized by the Uruguayan Football Association and is contested by 16 teams...
, 2 Liga Polska, USL First Division
USL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
, and Premier Development League (PDL)
USL Premier Development League
The USL Premier Development League is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid...
.
On March 10, 2007, after defeating the Cincinnati Excite
Cincinnati Excite
The Cincinnati Excite were a semi-professional indoor soccer club which played in the American Indoor Soccer League.- History :The Excite are owned by David Galus, and took the American Indoor Soccer League season championship in the 2005/2006 season....
5-4 with a late goal by Ante Cop, the Thunder secured a position in the AISL finals to face the Massachusetts Twisters
Massachusetts Twisters
The Massachusetts Twisters were an American indoor soccer was based in West Springfield, Massachusetts, USA. Founded in 2003, the team played in every American Indoor Soccer League season and played one season in the National Indoor Soccer League....
.
On March 31, 2007, the Thunder traveled to West Springfield, Massachusetts
West Springfield, Massachusetts
The Town of West Springfield is a city in Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 28,391 at the 2010 census...
for the AISL Championship. The Twisters claimed the championship winning 11-5.
On August 7, 2007 the AISL announced that the Thunder had changed their name to the Rampage. This is most likely due to the Texas Thunder of the NPF
NPF
NPF may refer to:*National Park Foundation*The National Policy Forum of the British Labour Party*The National Press Foundation*National Pro Fastpitch* NPF , NetBSD's stateful packet filter*The Network Processing Forum...
moving to Rockford.
The Rampage finished the 2007/08 AISL regular season with a 12-1 record. They defeated the Massachusetts Twisters
Massachusetts Twisters
The Massachusetts Twisters were an American indoor soccer was based in West Springfield, Massachusetts, USA. Founded in 2003, the team played in every American Indoor Soccer League season and played one season in the National Indoor Soccer League....
18-5 in the AISL championship game at home on March 15, 2008.
On September 9, 2008, the Rampage announced they were joining the new Major Indoor Soccer League for its inaugural season in 2008/09. They finished with a 10-8 regular season record, qualified for the playoffs, defeated Monterrey in the playoff semifinals, but lost to Baltimore 13-10 in the NISL championship game.
On July 7, 2009, it was announced that the Rockford Rampage acquired the Chicago Magic youth soccer club and its nationally recognized Development Academy and structured them as a non-profit organization.
Current roster
Year-by-year
| Year | League | Logo | Reg. Season | Playoffs | Avg. attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005/06 | AISL |  |
4th AISL, 0-2 (0 Points) | Not Eligible | |
| 2006/07 | AISL | |
2nd AISL, 8-4 (23 Points) | Lost Championship, 0-1 | |
| 2007/08 | AISL |  |
1st AISL, 12-1 (31 Points) | Won Championship, 1-0 | 545 |
| 2008-09 | NISL | |
2nd NISL, 10-8 | Lost Championship, 2-2 | 1,242 |
| 2009-10 | MISL III | |
5th MISL, 7-13 | DNQ | 1,112 |
| Total | 37-28 Win % = .757 |
3-3 Win % = .500 |
894† | ||
†Only includes two out of four years