Rockford Rampage

Rockford Rampage
Full nameRampage Futbol LLC
Founded2005
Dissolved2013
GroundVictory Sports Complex
Capacity1,500
LeagueProfessional Arena Soccer League

The Rockford Rampage was an American indoor soccer team based in Rockford, Illinois, United States. Founded in 2005 as the Rockford Thunder, the team originally played in the American Indoor Soccer League until 2008 then moved to the Major Indoor Soccer League from 2008 to 2010. They were revived to play in the Professional Arena Soccer League for the 2012–13 season but folded after the season ended.

The team played its home games at Victory Sports Complex. The team colors were black and green. Their head coach was Jeff Kraft, assisted by Armando Sanchez.

History

The Rampage were originally owned by Pro Soccer International, a group managed by Michael O'Flaherty and Oscar Albuquerque, a former member of the former National Professional Soccer League's Illinois Thunder and the 1980 Canadian Olympic qualifying 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 de México, 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 National Pro Fastpitch 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.[1][2]

On September 9, 2008, the Rampage announced they were joining the new National 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.[3]

On August 21, 2012, the Rampage joined the Professional Arena Soccer League for the 2012-2013 season.[1][4] The team folded after the season.

Year-by-year

Year League Logo Reg. Season Playoffs Avg. attendance†
2005–06 AISL 4th AISL, 0-2 (0 Points) Did not qualify Not Recorded
2006–07 AISL 2nd AISL, 8-4 (23 Points) Lost Championship, 0-1 Not Recorded
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 Did not qualify 1,112
2012–13 PASL 4th PASL Central, 7-9 Did not qualify 244
Total 44-37
Win % = .543 		3-3
Win % = .500 		894†

† Two seasons not recorded.

Head coaches

Name Years
Jeff Kraft 2005–2012

Arenas

References

  1. ^ a b Leber, Scott (November 20, 2012). "Rampage Return". WTVO-TV. Archived from the original on January 29, 2013. Retrieved November 21, 2012.
  2. ^ DeDoncker, Mike (March 16, 2008). "Rockford runs away with title". Rockford Register Star. Rockford, IL. Archived from the original on February 16, 2013. Retrieved January 18, 2013.
  3. ^ http://www.nislnet.com/news/index.html?article_id=114
  4. ^ "Rockford Rampage Added to PASL Lineup". Professional Arena Soccer League. August 21, 2012. Archived from the original on March 22, 2014. Retrieved August 21, 2012.