Des Moines Menace Press Release - www.menacesoccer.com

Wednesday, May 14

WEST DES MOINES, IA - The Des Moines Menace will take on the Springfield Demize at 6:30 p.m. this Saturday at West Des Moines Valley Stadium. The Menace is coming off of a busy weekend consisting of a close loss against St. Louis on Saturday at home and a Mother’s Day road win against Kansas City.

“We knew Saturday would be a tough battle with most of our players coming together for the first time,” said Menace head coach Casey Mann. “It was apparent on Sunday that we had sorted things out and were much more comfortable. Overall, the guys displayed good energy and a good effort last weekend,” Mann said.

The make-up of teams in the Premier Development League (PDL) consists mostly of college players and with the school year and exams just wrapping up, it creates a staggered arrival for many of the players. The majority of the Menace players reported a few days before the opening match last Saturday and new arrivals will continue to come this week and next.

“I can’t wait to have everyone in town so that we can begin building the team chemistry and foundation. Life in the PDL means that the first few games, although very important for Open Cup standings, are the first time many of the guys play together. So, there are a lot of adjustments, changes and questions to be worked out,” Mann said.

Saturday is ‘80s Night at Valley Stadium and all fans wearing ‘80s apparel will receive admission for only $5. Sport Shake is the title sponsor of Saturday’s game. The Menace will hit the road after Saturday’s game before returning to Valley Stadium for their next home game on June 14.

MAY 10 RECAP
The St. Louis Lions came from behind to top the Des Moines Menace in a hard-fought regular-season opener on May 10. Menace forward Danny Cruz – also a member of the United States U-18 national team – put the home team on the board first. His goal, assisted by UNLV teammate Nikki Paterson, came in the 26th minute and was the game’s only score until late in the first half. The Lions tied the game in the final seconds of the first half when Tommy Heimann scored an unassisted goal. Calum Angus notched the visitors’ game-winning goal in the 81st minute, thanks to a well-placed cross pass from Jona Andrade. St. Louis out-shot Des Moines 11-7.

MAY 11 RECAP
The Menace picked up a 1-0 victory over the Kansas City Brass last Sunday night in Liberty, Missouri. Danny Cruz tallied again for the Menace, his second of the year, in what would prove to be the game winner. The Menace controlled much of the game and ball possession which created some quality shots and forced Adam Sokolowski, the Brass goalkeeper, to execute some acrobatic saves to keep the game close.

VALLEY STADIUM
The Menace will call Valley Stadium in West Des Moines home this season. The stadium will provide players with a regulation-sized field and a turf playing surface, which will help speed up the game. "It is a great stadium and should be a great atmosphere and allow us to play some exciting soccer,” said Menace veteran Joe Klosterman.

CONCESSIONS
Another new feature at Menace games will be a revamped concession menu including new grilled items. Mike Linn, the concessionaire from Valley, has put together a menu with quality products which will feature premium sandwiches from the grill like chicken fillet, boneless BBQ rib and Italian sausage. Other new elements to the concession offerings will be Menace Corn and ice cream items.

Group and season tickets are still available. For more information, and to order tickets, visit www.menacesoccer.com or call (515) 226-9890.