Getting to Know Your MASL Opponents - Chicago Mustangs

Founded: 2012

League Championships: 2014 (PASL)

Arena: Sears Centre (Hoffman Estates, IL)

History:

      The Chicago Mustangs is a brand that has been present in Chicago soccer circles since the late 1960's, when the original Mustangs played in the pinnacle outdoor league that was the NASL. After dropping from the professional ranks, they became an amateur team and then later a farm team for the powerful Chicago Sting of the NASL.

      After years of off-and-on again existence as a name brand, the Chicago Mustangs emerged again as an expansion team in the Premier Arena Soccer League. Immediately becoming a model organization on the field in the PASL, the Mustangs fielded players from the wealth of talent in Chicago's Hispanic community to round out an international roster that finished their first season 11-5. Despite on field success, performance at the gait was slow in coming in at their small venue. As the team kept winning in their second season they found crowds outgrowing the 1,000 seat Grand Sports Arena. By the time the Mustangs reached the league final, they were playing in the much larger Sears Centre and averaged nearly 4,000 fans in the playoffs. In that 2014 final, the Mustangs put on a dominant performance against Hidalgo La Fiera en route to winning the title by a 15-4 score. The PASL and MISL merger into the MASL came the next season, and all eyes of the indoor soccer world were on how the Mustangs would step up.

Today:

      The Mustangs rose to the challenge last season, making the playoffs in the MASL and giving the Milwaukee Wave all they could handle before falling in overtime to end their season. Having doubled their output at the gate every year, the Mustangs should have more resources at their disposal (and having upset Milwaukee to start the season, it appears they've invested wisely). Doubling their attendance this year would put them over 3,000 a game, which is where they will need to be to remain elite. Leader Hewerton Moreira was lost to the Cedar Rapids Rampage in the off-season, in a move that was done likely to distribute revenue and keep other key players. It doesn't hurt in drawing fans that the rather new Sears Centre is a gem of an arena for indoor soccer.

Notable Players/Coaches:

Alexis Camarena- A clutch goal scorer, the Mustangs have made Camarena their top target guy now that Hewerton is in the Rampage blue and gold. His two clutch goals in the 4th quarter of their season opener against Milwaukee sealed a 4-3 win.

Jesus Flores- The Chicago goalkeeper has emerged as one of the best in the MASL. Flores acrobatic saves often keep Chicago in every match. Masterful in the 2014 PASL final, it will take team efforts to beat him when he is hot.

Rampage Home Opener - The Good, the Bad, the Ugly, and the Beautiful Game

Wanted to post some observations from the historic home opener of Cedar Rapids Rampage SC. Let's run down the best and worst...

The Good:

The attendance- Close to 4,000 in the crowd and often provided a tremendous atmosphere. No doubt it was the crowd that lifted CR to a three goal surge at the end of the first quarter. The energy in the building was palpable.

The accessibility of the field/players after the game- They should ALWAYS do this.

The Security- Having heard about incidents of overzealous security at Titans matches, it was a pleasant surprise that no such issues were reported at the Rampage.

The Merchandise- The jerseys, hoodies, and hats were all slick.

The Concessions- VERY good nachos and refreshing drinks.

MOST of the game- Showed Coach Kraft which positions needed to be upgraded (which he has) while remaining competitive into the 4th.

The Bad:

The music: Just that it was pretty much CONSTANT. Allowing the music to die once in a while allows the crowd to lend their voices. Don't underestimate the CR crowd. In the two moments the music did stop during play, organic chants DID emerge.

No giveaways for a souvenir- Even a small pocket schedule card would have been nice and given people something to think about for buying tickets next time.

The Ugly:

Those football lines- MLS learned this after a few years. Part of what soccer fans love is the aesthetics of a ball on a clean, solid surface. I HOPE the Rampage find either a new rug OR a way to cover/dim the football lines. The look of say the Comets turf is so much better: crisp and clean.