Des Moines Menace - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

Des Moines Menace is an American soccer team based in Des Moines, Iowa

Des Moines, Iowa

Des Moines is the capital and the most populous city in the US state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County. A small portion of the city extends into Warren County. It was incorporated on September 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moines which was shortened to "Des Moines" in 1857...

, United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

. Founded in 1994, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League

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...

(PDL), the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid

American Soccer Pyramid

The United States soccer pyramid is a term used in soccer to describe the structure of the league system in the United States. The country's governing body for the sport, the United States Soccer Federation , oversees the system but does not operate any of its component leagues—with one temporary...

, in the Heartland Division of the Central Conference.

The team plays its home games at Valley Stadium on the grounds of Valley High School

Valley High School (Des Moines, Iowa)

Valley High School is a three-year public high school in West Des Moines, Iowa, United States. The school hosts grades 10-12. It is run by the West Des Moines Community School District...

, where they have played since 2008. The team's colors are red, white and black.

The club also maintain an academy structure of youth teams.

History

Des Moines Menace began their competitive life as an expansion team in the old United States Interregional Soccer League (USISL), playing in the Midwest Division. They finished their first season with a 5-13 record, in seventh place behind divisional champions Minnesota Thunder

Minnesota Thunder

Minnesota Thunder was an American professional soccer team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Founded in 1990, the team played in the USL First Division , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2009. The team played its home games at the National Sports Center in nearby...

. They dropped down to the USISL Premier League in 1995, and finished third in the Central Division with a 10-8 record behind divisional champs and Iowa neighbors Sioux City Breeze

Sioux City Breeze

The Sioux City Breeze were a soccer club based in Sioux City, Iowa. The club began in the USISL and moved to the USISL Premier League in 1995.-Year-by-year:...

, qualifying for the post-season playoffs in the process. They dispatched the Austin Lone Stars

Austin Lone Stars

The Austin Lone Stars were a soccer club that competed in the SISL, USISL and United Soccer Leagues from 1987 to 2000. The club originally started in 1987/88 as the Austin Sockadillos in the original indoor SISL league. They became the Austin Lone Stars in 1994.-History:In 1987, Fernando Marcos...

3-2 in overtime in the divisional semi-final, and then overcame Sioux City 1-0 in the Divisional Final to progress to the national finals tournament. Menace lost the national semi final 3-1 to Florida outfit Cocoa Expos

Cocoa Expos

Cocoa Expos was an American soccer team, founded in 1993. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2007, when the team left the league and the franchise was terminated.The team played its home matches at...

, and they then lost the third place playoff to San Francisco United All-Blacks, but it set the wheels in motion for one of American amateur soccer's most storied franchises; Aaron Leventhal led the attack, scoring 10 goals on the season, while goalkeeper Casey Mann posted an impressive 1.73 GAA rating.

The 1996 campaign was disappointing for Des Moines, finishing with a 7-7 record in the Southern Division, in 5th place behind Austin Lone Stars

Austin Lone Stars

, and out of the playoffs in the first round following a 1-0 defeat to the Lone Stars. The USISL Premier League became the PDSL in 1997, and again Des Moines finished the Central Division campaign in 4th place behind Nebraskan champs Lincoln Brigade with a 6-1-9 record. The playoffs were slightly more successful, as they surprisingly dispatched Lincoln 4-0 in the divisional semi finals, and overcame the Omaha Flames 6-0 in the divisional finals, before falling to 3-0 to the Mid-Michigan Bucks in the national quarter finals.

1998 saw an improvement in regular season play from the Iowans, as they finished second in the Central Division behind the Colorado Comets

Colorado Comets

The Colorado Comets were an American soccer club based in Denver, Colorado founded in 1985 which later competed in the SISL and USISL.-History:...

with a 9-4-3 record, and qualified for the post-season for the fourth consecutive time. They beat Twin Cities Tornado 1-0 in overtime in the divisional semi-finals, and then dispatched Kansas City Brass

Kansas City Brass

Kansas City Brass is an American soccer team based in Kansas City, Missouri, United States. Founded in 1997, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Heartland Division of the Central Conference.The team plays its home games on...

on penalty kicks in the divisional final to reach the national tournament once more; Menace again faced Cocoa Expos

Cocoa Expos

in the regional round, but this time emerged from the encounter 3-1 winners, and were now just 90 minutes from the championship game. Des Moines' opponents were the on form San Gabriel Valley Highlanders

San Gabriel Valley Highlanders

San Gabriel Valley Highlanders were an American soccer team, founded in 1997 by a group of Armenian American businessmen and soccer fans as a competitive branch of the locally-based Ararat Soccer Club...

from Glendale, California

Glendale, California

Glendale is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. As of the 2010 Census, the city population is 191,719, down from 194,973 at the 2000 census. making it the third largest city in Los Angeles County and the 22nd largest city in the state of California...

, who won 3-1 and went on to take the title, while Menace were left to console themselves with a 4-1 win over Kalamazoo Kingdom

Kalamazoo Kingdom

Kalamazoo Kingdom were an American soccer team, founded in 1996. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2006, when the team left the league and the franchise was terminated.The Kingdom folded their...

in the 3rd/4th place playoff.

The PDSL became the PDL in 1999, but Des Moines were unable to capitalize on their playoff run from the previous year; they ended the season fourth in the Heartland Division behind Twin Cities Tornado, and with the change in the playoff qualification system missed the post-season for the first time in five seasons. Menace missed the playoffs again in 2000, finishing the season with a 10-0-8 record, just one frustrating point behind the Rockford Raptors

Rockford Raptors

The Rockford Raptors were an American soccer team based in Rockford, Illinois. The team began in the USISL and moved to the USISL Pro League in 1995. In 1999, the team was relegated to the Premier Development League....

. The PDL qualification rules were changed again prior to the 2001 season which meant that, despite Menace finishing second to Sioux Falls Spitfire

Sioux Falls Spitfire

Sioux Falls Spitfire was an American soccer team, founded in 2001. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2007, when the team left the league and the franchise was terminated.The team played its home...

in the Heartland Division, they made it all the way to the national semi-finals, before eventually falling 5-1 to eventual national champions Westchester Flames

Westchester Flames

Westchester Flames is an American soccer team based in New Rochelle, New York, United States. Founded in 1999, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Mid Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its home games...

.

2002 was a banner year for Des Moines, who enjoyed a tremendous regular season, remaining unbeaten the entire season, and topping the Heartland Division by a clear 20 points from their closest rivals, Boulder Rapids Reserve

Boulder Rapids Reserve

Colorado Rapids U23's was an American soccer team based in Boulder, Colorado, United States. Founded in 2000 as part of the development system for the Colorado Rapids Major League Soccer franchise, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer...

, and in the process winning the first silverware in franchise history. Their excellent form also took the Menace to the US Open Cup for first time in franchise history. They beat the D3 Pro League

USL Second Division

The United Soccer Leagues Second Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, part of the United Soccer Leagues league pyramid...

side New Jersey Stallions

New Jersey Stallions

The New Jersey Stallions were an American soccer team, founded in 1996, which competed in various divisions of the United Soccer Leagues until 2004, after which the team left the league and the franchise was terminated....

3-1 in the First Round, before losing 3-2 to A-League

USL First Division

The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....

stalwarts Rochester Raging Rhinos

Rochester Raging Rhinos

The Rochester Rhinos are an American professional soccer team based in Rochester, New York, United States. Founded in 1996, the team plays in the National Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, having self-relegated from the USSF D2 Pro League...

on a Lenin Steenkamp

Lenin Steenkamp

Lenin Steenkamp is a retired South African football player who spent his entire career in the United States.-College:...

golden goal

Golden goal

The golden goal is a method used in association football, field hockey, ice hockey and korfball to decide the winner of games in elimination matches which end in a draw after the end of regulation time. It is a type of sudden death. Golden goal rules allow the team that scores the first goal during...

. However, their overwhelming success in the regular season eventually meant nothing as they shockingly lost to the Mid-Michigan Bucks in the Central Conference Semifinals; despite the early exit, Menace's Czech striker Tomas Boltnar was awarded the PDL MVP award, the PDL Rookie of the Year awards, and was the league's top scorer with 24 goals, while head coach Laurie Calloway

Laurie Calloway

Laurence John "Laurie" Calloway is a retired English-U.S. soccer defender who spent thirteen years in the English leagues and six years in the North American Soccer League....

was named Coach of the Year.

Calloway left his manager's post in the 2002-03 offseason to become head coach of the Syracuse Salty Dogs

Syracuse Salty Dogs

The Syracuse Salty Dogs were a professional men's soccer team based in Syracuse, New York. The club were a member of the USL A-League, playing only two seasons from 2003-2004. The club was owned and operated by the Syracuse Pro Sports Group and played most home games at P&C Stadium...

in the A-League

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 he was replaced by Greg Petersen

Greg Petersen

-Player:Petersen attended CSU East Bay where he played as goalkeeper on the men’s soccer team. In 1984, he was named to the First Team All Conference team.-Coach:...

. Petersen's season in charge was a generally good one; Menace got off to a flying start, rattling off six wins on the trot at the beginning of the year, including a 7-0 demolition of Wisconsin Rebels

Wisconsin Rebels

Wisconsin Rebels were an American soccer team, founded in 1998, originally as the Fox River Rebels. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2004, when the team left the league and the franchise was...

and a 4-1 thrashing of St. Louis Strikers

St. Louis Strikers

St. Louis Strikers were an American soccer team, founded in 2003, and was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2004, when the team left the league and the franchise was terminated.The Strikers played their home...

. Once again, Menace's excellent early form took them to the US Open Cup for the second consecutive season, although their campaign was a short one as they fell 2-1 at home to Milwaukee-based USASA

USASA

The United States Adult Soccer Association is a national organization and sanctioning body for amateur soccer in the United States...

side Bavarian SC

Milwaukee Bavarians

Milwaukee Bavarians is an American soccer team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1929, the team plays in National Premier Soccer League , a national amateur league at the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Midwest Division.The team plays its home games in the...

. Menace stuttered a little in June, losing both their matchups against Boulder Rapids Reserve

Boulder Rapids Reserve

, but still putting 10 goals past Sioux Falls Spitfire

Sioux Falls Spitfire

in their two meetings, with Tomas Boltnar scoring four. The goalscoring highlight of the year was the astonishing 8-2 win over Kansas City Brass

Kansas City Brass

at home in early July in which Joseph Kabwe

Joseph Kabwe

Joseph Kabwe is a Zimbabwean footballer who last played for Carolina RailHawks in the USSF Division 2 Professional League.-College and Amateur:...

scored five goals, and Boltnar scored a hat trick. Des Moines coasted down the home stretch, winning two of their last four games, eventually finishing in second place in the Heartland Division behind Chicago Fire Premier

Chicago Fire Premier

Chicago Fire Premier is an American soccer team based in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Founded in 2001, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Great Lakes Division of the Central Conference.The team plays its home games at...

. Des Moines' trip to the post-season was a short one, as they fell to Great Lakes champions Mid-Michigan Bucks in the Conference Semifinals. Tomas Boltnar was named PDL MVP for the second consecutive year, and again was Menace's top scorer with 14 goals, while Boltnar and Joseph Kabwe

Joseph Kabwe

Joseph Kabwe is a Zimbabwean footballer who last played for Carolina RailHawks in the USSF Division 2 Professional League.-College and Amateur:...

registered 10 assists apiece.

Despite the team's success, head coach Petersen was replaced by Marc Grune prior to the 2004 season; under his tenure the team suffered slightly, as league expansion in the Midwest took its toll. Menace were inconsistent in the first part of the year, winning three and losing three of their opening six games. They put five past the Wisconsin Rebels

Wisconsin Rebels

and Sioux Falls Spitfire

Sioux Falls Spitfire

, but uncharacteristically conceded three at home to the St. Louis Strikers

St. Louis Strikers

. The month of June was magnificent for Menace, as they enjoyed a seven-game winning streak that featured a two six-goal hammerings of Wisconsin Rebels

Wisconsin Rebels

and Indiana Blast

Indiana Blast

Indiana Blast were an American soccer team, founded in 1997. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues, and played in the D-3 Pro League, the A-League and the USL Premier Development League, until folding at the end of the 2004 season....

. Everything looked to be on course for another trip to the post season, but Menace inexplicably fell apart during the run-in, losing three of their final five games, including a devastating 5-4 loss to Thunder Bay Chill

Thunder Bay Chill

Thunder Bay Chill is a Canadian soccer team based in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. Founded in 2000, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American and Canadian soccer pyramids, in the Heartland Division of the Central Conference.The team plays its home games...

in which the Canadians scored a last-minute winner having been 4-3 down with 20 minutes to go. The end of season stutter cost Des Moines dearly, as they eventually finished the year third in the Heartland Division behind Chicago Fire Premier

Chicago Fire Premier

and out of the playoffs. Tomas Boltnar was Menace’s top scorer, with 9 goals, while Edwin Disang

Edwin Disang

Edwin Disang is a Botswanan footballer who plays as a striker. He played for the Botswana national football team between 1999 and 2001. He was a teacher, dean, and head soccer coach at Subiaco Academy.-External links:...

contributed 7 assists.

Grune paid for his failure with his job, as Menace hired former standout goalkeeper Casey Mann as their new head coach. Mann's impact on the Menace was felt almost immediately; they started the season six wins in seven games, including a 5-1 hammering of Kansas City Brass

Kansas City Brass

, a 3-0 win on the road over Colorado Springs Blizzard

Colorado Springs Blizzard

Colorado Springs Blizzard were an American soccer team, founded in 2004. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2006, when the team left the league and the franchise was terminated.The Blizzard played...

, and a 3-0 victory at home over their increasingly bitter rivals Thunder Bay Chill

Thunder Bay Chill

. Once again, Des Moines' excellent early form took them to the US Open Cup, and on their first cup run: they beat USL Second Division

USL Second Division

The United Soccer Leagues Second Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, part of the United Soccer Leagues league pyramid...

side Pittsburgh Riverhounds

Pittsburgh Riverhounds

Pittsburgh Riverhounds is an American professional soccer team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1999, the team plays in the National Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....

on penalties in the first round, 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....

side Charleston Battery

Charleston Battery

Charleston Battery is an American professional soccer team based in Charleston, South Carolina, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....

3-2 in the second round, and absolutely destroyed 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....

's Atlanta Silverbacks

Atlanta Silverbacks

Atlanta Silverbacks is an American professional soccer team based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1995, the team plays in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, having previously sat out the 2009 and 2010 seasons while the ownership...

5-1 in a game which saw Michael Kraus

Michael Kraus

Michael Kraus is an American soccer player.-College and Amateur:Kraus played college soccer at Creighton University, where he was named the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year in 2006, the same year he served as Creighton's team captain. He was named First-Team All-MVC in 2006 and...

hit a brace. Menace played their first ever competitive match against a Major League Soccer

Major League Soccer

Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...

team in the fourth round, away at the Kansas City Wizards

Kansas City Wizards

Sporting Kansas City is an American professional soccer club based in Kansas City, Kansas that competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada...

, and although the fairytale was ended by a comprehensive 6-1 defeat, it was testament to Des Moines' increasingly high standard of play that they got as far as they did. Back in PDL league play, and despite a couple of mid-season losses, both to Thunder Bay, Des Moines continued to provide value for money and goalscoring prowess as the season reached its conclusion: they hit Sioux Falls Spitfire

Sioux Falls Spitfire

for ten in their two games in early July, with Tomas Boltnar and Edwin Disang

Edwin Disang

again doing the damage, and coasted in to the playoffs off the back of a 5-0 final day demolition of nine-man Colorado Springs Blizzard

Colorado Springs Blizzard

, with another two goals from Disang. The Menace faced Great Lakes Division winners Chicago Fire Premier

Chicago Fire Premier

in the Central Conference Semifinals, and walked away with a resounding 4-0 victory; they then took the Conference title with ease, outplaying the Michigan Bucks

Michigan Bucks

Michigan Bucks is an American soccer team based in Pontiac, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1995, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Great Lakes Division of the Central Conference.The team plays its home games at the...

to the tune of a comprehensive 4-1 scoreline. Menace moved on to the national stage for the first time since 2001, and beat Western Conference champions Orange County Blue Star

Orange County Blue Star

Orange County Blue Star is an American soccer team based in Irvine, California, United States. Founded in 1997, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference.The team plays its home games at...

2-1 to reach the 2005 PDL Championship game. Their opponents were Southern Conference champions El Paso Patriots

El Paso Patriots

Chivas El Paso Patriots is an American soccer team based in El Paso, Texas, United States. Founded in 1989, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Mid South Division of the Southern Conference.The team plays its home games at...

and, after a tight 0-0 in regulation time, Des Moines triumphed 6-5 on penalty kicks to take their first PDL title, with Andy Gruenebaum

Andy Gruenebaum

Andy Gruenebaum is an American soccer player who currently plays for Columbus Crew in Major League Soccer.-College and Amateur:...

making two vital saves, and Luke Frieberg converting the winning spot kick. Tomas Boltnar was Menace's top player on all parts of the pitch for the third straight year, with 10 goals and 10 assists.

Des Moines began 2006 looking to defend their PDL title, and began the season in the best possible way, rattling off six wins in their first seven games, including a trio of impressive home wins, 3-0 over Colorado Springs Blizzard

Colorado Springs Blizzard

, 5-1 over Sioux Falls Spitfire

Sioux Falls Spitfire

and 4-1 over Thunder Bay Chill

Thunder Bay Chill

, the latter of which featured a brace from Armin Mujdzic. Menace enjoyed their fourth US Open Cup campaign off the back of their early form, and for the second year in a row they proved to be formidable opponents for higher league opposition. They beat the Milwaukee-based USASA

USASA

The United States Adult Soccer Association is a national organization and sanctioning body for amateur soccer in the United States...

team Croatian Eagles

Croatian Eagles

Croatian Eagles Soccer Club from Milwaukee is a Croatian American soccer team. The club was established in 1922, making it the oldest soccer club in the Croatian diaspora....

4-1 in the qualifying round, and a second amateur team - Dallas Mustang Legends - in the first round proper, before causing a huge upset by knocking out 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....

powerhouse Minnesota Thunder

Minnesota Thunder

in the second round 1-0, with the winning goal being scored by Tomas Boltnar. Menace faced off against Major League Soccer

Major League Soccer

's Kansas City Wizards

Kansas City Wizards

in the third round for the second year in succession, and gave a much better account of themselves, eventually losing 2-1, although the Wizards left it late, with Scott Sealy

Scott Sealy

Scott Ryan Sealy is a Trinidadian footballer who currently plays for San Jose Earthquakes in Major League Soccer.-College:Sealy played college soccer at Wake Forest from 2001 to 2004, where he played in 83 games, starting 73...

scoring a heartbreaking winner in injury time. The mid-season saw a slight stutter from Des Moines as they lost three of their next four games, including a pair of demoralizing losses to Boulder Rapids Reserve

Boulder Rapids Reserve

which would eventually decide the divisional title. Menace did bounce back down the home stretch, remaining unbeaten in their final five regular season games, but the results included two ties against the St. Louis Lions

St. Louis Lions

St. Louis Lions is an American soccer team based in St. Louis, Missouri, United States. Founded in 2006, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Heartland Division of the Central Conference.The team plays its home games at the...

, which left the Rapids ten points clear of Menace at the top of the Heartland Division standings. Menace faced Great Lakes division champions Chicago Fire Premier

Chicago Fire Premier

in the Central Conference Semi-Final; the game was an epic one, with Menace hanging on for a 1-1 tie at the end of regular time despite being a man short following Danilo Oliveira's red card. Extra time saw the Menace fight back from 3-1 down to force a 3-3 tie, with Cody Kother scoring the equalizing goal in the 113th minute; Menace lost the resulting penalty shootout 5-3 when Alexander Munns' spot kick was saved by Evan Bush

Evan Bush

Evan Bush is an American soccer player currently playing for Montreal Impact in Major League Soccer.-College and Amateur:...

, and Menace's grip on the PDL trophy had gone. Once more, Tomas Boltnar and Edwin Disang

Edwin Disang

led the scoring tables, with 7 goals each for the season.

Things did not go Menace's way in 2007, as the Iowans missed the playoffs for just the second time in seven seasons. Everything started brightly for Des Moines with a 5-0 opening day victory of Sioux Falls Spitfire

Sioux Falls Spitfire

, but fell apart quickly, as Menace slumped to an unprecedented three consecutive losses in their next three games. Unusually, it was Des Moines' road form which proved to be their downfall: they suffered unexpected defeats to St. Louis Lions

St. Louis Lions

and Thunder Bay Chill

Thunder Bay Chill

, including a 4-0 battering at the hands of the latter in the penultimate game of the season. Menace's home form continued to be impressive, and they enjoyed several high-scoring victories in front of their fans, including a 5-1 thrashing of Kansas City Brass

Kansas City Brass

, and an easy 8-0 flattening of the torrid Springfield Demize

Springfield Demize

Springfield Demize is an American soccer team based in Springfield, Missouri, United States. Founded in 2006, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Heartland Division of the Central Conference.The team plays its home games at...

in which Tucker Sindlinger and Nicki Paterson

Nicki Paterson

Nicholas Stephen "Nicki" Paterson is a Scottish footballer currently playing for Charleston Battery in the USL Professional Division.-Early career in Scotland:...

scored two goals each. However, the lack of consistency in Des Moines' play left them a distant fourth in the table, eight points behind divisional champions Thunder Bay. For the sixth straight year Tomas Boltnar was the team's joint top scorer, sharing the honors with Nicki Paterson

Nicki Paterson

Nicholas Stephen "Nicki" Paterson is a Scottish footballer currently playing for Charleston Battery in the USL Professional Division.-Early career in Scotland:...

with 9 goals each.

Des Moines began 2008 sluggishly; they won just two of their opening six games (although one of those was a 7-0 hammering of Springfield Demize

Springfield Demize

) and were left playing catch-up behind Colorado Rapids U23's and Thunder Bay Chill

Thunder Bay Chill

for the remainder of the season. The Menace won three games in June, including a hugely satisfying 3-1 on the road in Thunder Bay, but suffered two unexpected home losses to their closest rivals before enjoying their second win over Thunder Bay, a comprehensive 5-1 home victory in front of 3,217 delirious fans. In a very tight run-in, Des Moines beat Springfield Demize

Springfield Demize

2-0 on the road, but then were made to endure two ties in their final two regular season games, which meant their playoff fate was out of their hands. Their third place finish meant that the Great Lakes Division game between Michigan Bucks

Michigan Bucks

and Toronto Lynx

Toronto Lynx

Toronto Lynx is a Canadian soccer team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Founded in 1997, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Great Lakes Division of the Central Conference....

would determine the final standings; Michigan won the game, and in doing so finished with the best record in the Central Conference, which meant Toronto got in as the lucky third placed team, and Des Moines missed out in the closest of circumstances. For the first time in seven years Tomas Boltnar was not Menace's top scorer - that honor went to Nicki Paterson

Nicki Paterson

Nicholas Stephen "Nicki" Paterson is a Scottish footballer currently playing for Charleston Battery in the USL Professional Division.-Early career in Scotland:...

with 6 goals, although the 29-year-old Czech player did tally 5 assists.

2009 would see the retirement of the legendary Boltnar, the announcement of the end of the Mann era, and the first divisional title for the Menace since 2002. The Menace would open with three consecutive wins before drawing three consecutive matches where they would concede late goals for the draw. A draw and win at defending PDL champion Thunder Bay put Des Moines well in control of the Heartland Division, and the Menace would run their unbeaten streak to 15 matches dating over a year before finally falling at home to Thunder Bay. The Menace would finish the regular season 11-1-4. A 2-1 victory over Real Colorado

Real Colorado Foxes

Real Colorado Foxes is an American soccer team based in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, United States. Founded in 2008, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Heartland Division of the Central Conference.In 2011, the team qualified...

would send Des Moines to the Elite Eight, where they would fall at home in a crushing 1-0 loss to Cary

Cary Clarets

Cary Clarets was an American soccer team based in Cary, North Carolina, United States. Founded in 2002, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2009, after which the franchise folded and the team left the league.During their...

. The 2009 squad featured a balanced attack where eighteen different players scored over the course of sixteen league matches, with no player tallying more than Armin Mujdzic's five.

The 2010 season started off seemingly like a potential title repeat with the Menace racing to a 4-1-0 start and qualifying for the Open Cup

2010 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup

The 2010 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup was the 97th edition of the oldest competition in American soccer, running from June through early October.The tournament proper featured teams from the top five levels of the American Soccer Pyramid...

for the first time in four years. However, four straight league ties broke up the team's momentum. The Menace then stepped away from PDL play to host 2nd-division AC St. Louis

AC St. Louis

Athletic Club of St. Louis, commonly referred to as AC St. Louis, was an American professional soccer team based in St. Louis, Missouri, United States. Founded in December 2009, the team played its first and only season the next year in the NASL Conference of the temporary USSF D2 Pro League, the...

in first round play of the Open Cup, where they suffered a heartbreaking 1-0 loss. A 7-2 shellacking at arch-rival Thunder Bay was followed by an incredible two more draws. Despite a pair of dominating shutouts (6-0 against Springfield and 3-0 against the Brass), a 3-1 loss to the Chill all but knocked the Menace from playoff contention. The season ended on a fitting note: after rallying to take a 2-1 lead on the Lions, the Menace conceded late for an incredible 7th draw. Despite losing just three matches all season, seven draws in sixteen matches would leave them a distant 4th, eight full points from the playoffs. Captain Clark Bradford and defender Logan McDaniel shared the scoring lead with five goals each.

Current roster

As of June 10, 2011.

Notable former players

This list of notable former players comprises players who went on to play professional soccer after playing for the team in the Premier Development League, or those who previously played professionally before joining the team.

Besmir Bega

Besmir Bega

Besmir Bega is an Albanian football striker who currently plays for Partizani Tirana in Albania. He has previously played in the United States for the Des Moines Menace and the Michigan Bucks.-College and amateur:...

Matt Bobo Tomas Boltnar Chad Crandell

Chad Crandell

Chad Crandell, born July 8, 1975 in Des Moines, Iowa, United States was a U.S. soccer midfielder who spent most of his career with the USL Second Division Wilmington Hammerheads.Crandell attended Creighton University before transferring to Miami University...

Danny Cruz Edwin Disang

Edwin Disang

Tighe Dombrowski

Tighe Dombrowski is an American soccer player, currently without a club.Dombrowski played four years of college soccer for the UW–Milwaukee Panthers of the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee from 2000–2003, during which he was named first team All-Horizon League three times. He was named an...

Zeke Dombrowski

Zeke Dombrowski is an American soccer player, currently without a club.-College and Amateur:Dombrowski played college soccer at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, playing in a total of 84 matches, ranking fifth overall in school history...

Edson Edward

Edson "Giovanni" Edward is a Canadian soccer player.-Youth and college:Edward enjoyed an accolade-filled amateur and collegiate soccer career that has taken him to various spots in North America. After graduating the Ottawa Fury's Youth program, Edward began his collegiate duties at the NAIA's...

Joe Germanese

Joe Germanese is an American football player.Germanese made his full professional debut and scored his first career goal for Revolution on 1 July 2008, in a US Open Cup third round game against Richmond Kickers.During 2008 Germanese also spent a short spell on loan at USL Second Division side...

Neathan Gibson

Neathan Gibson is a Zimbabwen soccer player currently Coaching for Des Moines Menace in the USL Premier Development League.-College:...

Andy Gruenebaum

Andy Gruenebaum is an American soccer player who currently plays for Columbus Crew in Major League Soccer.-College and Amateur:...

Ezra Hendrickson

Ezra Hendrickson is a retired Vincentian footballer. He played professionally in the United States' Major League Soccer with New York MetroStars, Los Angeles Galaxy, Dallas Burn, and Chivas USA, and was also a member of the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines national team...

Joseph Kabwe

Joseph Kabwe is a Zimbabwean footballer who last played for Carolina RailHawks in the USSF Division 2 Professional League.-College and Amateur:...

Michael Kraus

Leonard Krupnik

Leonard Krupnik is a Soviet-born American soccer player who currently plays for Maccabi Netanya in the Israeli Premier League.-Youth and College:...

Barry Lavety

Barry Lavety is a former Scottish association football player.Lavety started his career with local heroes St. Mirren in season 1991–92. In the following season he really began to catch the eye, as he scored 20 goals as St. Mirren narrowly missed out on a return to the Scottish Premier Division...

Mickey Lewis

Michael "Mickey" Lewis, , is a former English professional footballer who played for West Bromwich Albion, Derby County and Oxford United. He later became caretaker manager and is currently the assistant manager at Oxford United....

Eddie Mukahanana

Eddie Mukahanana born March 9, 1977 in Bulawayo Zimbabwe is a former Zimbabwean footballer. He was the head coach of Pacific Coast Soccer League Champions Victoria United Football Club and is also the Technical Director for Bays United F.C and Director of Player Development for -Playing career:He...

Lamar Neagle

Lamar Justin Neagle is an American soccer player who currently plays for Seattle Sounders FC in Major League Soccer.-Youth and college:...

Matt Nickell

Matt Nickell is an American soccer player, who last played forward for D.C. United in Major League Soccer....

Dan O'Brien

Dan O'Brien (soccer)

Daniel "Dan" O'Brien is an American soccer player who currently is looking for a new club and will be trialing with a few clubs in the U.S.A.-Youth and College:...

Nicki Paterson

Nicholas Stephen "Nicki" Paterson is a Scottish footballer currently playing for Charleston Battery in the USL Professional Division.-Early career in Scotland:...

Cody Reinberg

Stephen "Cody" Reinberg is an American soccer player who currently plays for Harrisburg City Islanders in the USL Second Division.-College:Reinberg attended St...

Stu Riddle

Stu Riddle is a New Zealand football player.- Playing career :Less than a year after leaving high school at Wellington's Scots College, Riddle shot to prominence after a high-scoring debut season with Wellington United in the New Zealand Superclub competition.At the age of 19 Riddle was the...

Joe Salem

Joe Salem (soccer)

Joe Salem is an American soccer player who currently plays for the Puerto Rico Islanders of the North American Soccer League.-Youth and College:Salem attended St. Vincent – St...

Kevin Souter

Kevin Souter is a Scottish former professional footballer, currently player-coach at Ryerson University. He recently signed for Serbian White Eagles FC.-Early career in Scotland:...

Josh Wicks

Josh Wicks is an American soccer player who currently plays for IFK Mariehamn.-Early Life and Amateur:Wicks was born on a US Army base, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, in Landstuhl, Germany, but grew up in San Bernardino, California...

Chase Wileman

Chase Wileman is an American soccer player who most recently played for Des Moines Menace in the USL Premier Development League.-College:...

Tomas Boltnar, a two-time (2002, 2003) PDL MVP from the Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....

, is the club's all-time leading goalscorer, with 73 goals. He retired from competitive play prior to the 2009 season. Boltnar never played fully professional soccer at any level, and now works a cost analyst for Kum & Go
Kum & Go
Kum & Go is a convenience store chain primarily located in the Midwestern United States. The company, based in West Des Moines, Iowa, operates over 400 stores in 11 states—primarily in its home state of Iowa. Kum & Go was ranked as the 23rd-largest convenience store chain in the United States by...

, as well as coaching Menace Academy boys teams.

Year-by-year

Year	Division	League	Regular Season	Playoffs	Open Cup
1994	3	USISL	7th, Midwest	Did not qualify	Did not enter
1995	4	USISL Premier League	3rd, Central	National Semifinals (4th Place)	Did not qualify
1996	4	USISL Premier League	5th, Southern	Conference Semifinals	Did not qualify
1997	4	USISL PDSL	3rd, Central	Conference Quarterfinals	Did not qualify
1998	4	USISL PDSL	2nd, Central	National Semifinals (3rd Place)	Did not qualify
1999	4	USL PDL	4th, Heartland	Did not qualify	Did not qualify
2000	4	USL PDL	3rd, Heartland	Did not qualify	Did not qualify
2001	4	USL PDL	2nd, Heartland	National Semifinals (3rd Place)	Did not qualify
2002	4	USL PDL	1st, Heartland	Conference Semifinals	2nd Round 2002 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup -Schedule:Note: Scorelines use the standard U.S. convention of placing the home team on the right-hand side of box scores.-First round:Seven D3 Pro League, five PDL, and four USASA teams start.-----Second round:Eight A-League teams enter....
2003	4	USL PDL	2nd, Heartland	Conference Semifinals	1st Round 2003 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup -Schedule:Note: Scorelines use the standard U.S. convention of placing the home team on the right-hand side of box scores.-First round:Four PDL and four USASA teams start.------Second round:Six PSL and two PDL teams enter.-----...
2004	4	USL PDL	3rd, Heartland	Did not qualify	Did not qualify
2005	4	USL PDL	2nd, Heartland	National Champions	4th Round 2005 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup -Schedule:Note: Scorelines use the standard U.S. convention of placing the home team on the right-hand side of box scores.-Qualifying round:Teams from USASA and PDL start.-----First round:Teams from USASA, PDL, and USL-2.----...
2006	4	USL PDL	2nd, Heartland	Conference Semifinals	3rd Round 2006 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup -Schedule:Note: Scorelines use the standard U.S. convention of placing the home team on the right-hand side of box scores.-Qualifying round:Teams from USASA and PDL start.-----First round:Teams from USASA, PDL, and USL-2.----...
2007	4	USL PDL	4th, Heartland	Did not qualify	Did not qualify
2008	4	USL PDL	3rd, Heartland	Did not qualify	Did not qualify
2009	4	USL PDL	1st, Heartland	Conference Finals	Did not qualify
2010	4	USL PDL	4th, Heartland	Did not qualify	1st Round 2010 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup The 2010 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup was the 97th edition of the oldest competition in American soccer, running from June through early October.The tournament proper featured teams from the top five levels of the American Soccer Pyramid...
2011	4	USL PDL	2nd, Heartland	Conference Semifinals	1st Round 2011 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup The 2011 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup was the 98th edition of the oldest competition in American soccer, running from June through early October. Seattle Sounders FC, who entered the competition as the two-time defending champions, successfully defended their title again. They became the third team in... (*)

(*) competing as Iowa Menace

Honors

USL PDL Organization of the Year 2009
USL PDL Heartland Division Champions 2009
USL PDL Champions 2005
USL PDL Central Conference Champions 2005
USL PDL Regular Season Champions 2002
USL PDL Heartland Division Champions 2002

Head coaches

Al Driscoll (1998–2000) Laurie Calloway

Laurie Calloway

Laurence John "Laurie" Calloway is a retired English-U.S. soccer defender who spent thirteen years in the English leagues and six years in the North American Soccer League....

(2001–2002, 2010–present) Greg Petersen

Greg Petersen

-Player:Petersen attended CSU East Bay where he played as goalkeeper on the men’s soccer team. In 1984, he was named to the First Team All Conference team.-Coach:...

(2003) Marc Grune (2004) Casey Mann (2005–2009)

Stadia

Stadium at Dowling Catholic High School
Dowling Catholic High School
Dowling Catholic High School is a Catholic secondary school in West Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Des Moines.-Background:...

; West Des Moines, Iowa
West Des Moines, Iowa
West Des Moines is a city in Polk, Dallas, and Warren counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 46,403; a special census taken in the spring of 2005 counted 51,744 residents and the United States Census Bureau estimated that 53,889 residents lived there in...

(1994)
Cara McGrane Memorial Stadium; Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines is the capital and the most populous city in the US state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County. A small portion of the city extends into Warren County. It was incorporated on September 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moines which was shortened to "Des Moines" in 1857...

(1995–2004)
Waukee Stadium
Waukee Stadium
Waukee Stadium is a field located in Waukee, Iowa. It is the home field for Waukee High School's football games, soccer games, and track meets. Along with the high school's sports teams, the stadium is also a locale for a number of the high school's physical education programs. It previously...

; Waukee, Iowa
Waukee, Iowa
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,126 people, 1,927 households, and 1,445 families residing in the city. The population density was 610.9 people per square mile . There were 2,087 housing units at an average density of 248.7 per square mile...

(2005–2007)
Valley Stadium; West Des Moines, Iowa
West Des Moines, Iowa
West Des Moines is a city in Polk, Dallas, and Warren counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 46,403; a special census taken in the spring of 2005 counted 51,744 residents and the United States Census Bureau estimated that 53,889 residents lived there in...

(2008–present)

In their early days, the Menace played their home matches on the soccer fields of Dowling Catholic High School

Dowling Catholic High School

Dowling Catholic High School is a Catholic secondary school in West Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Des Moines.-Background:...

in West Des Moines, without any seating structures or lights. To meet league stadium requirements, the Menace moved to Cara McGrane Memorial Stadium, located on the campus of Herbert Hoover High School

Herbert Hoover High School (Des Moines)

Herbert Hoover High School, usually referred to simply as Hoover High School or Hoover, is a secondary school located on the Northwest side of Des Moines, Iowa. It is one of five secondary schools under the district of the Des Moines Public Schools, and was named after the 31st United States...

on the west side of Des Moines. With bleachers and lights at their new home, the Menace were able to push games to evenings instead of summer afternoons.

Attendance skyrocketed at McGrane Stadium. After averaging a mere 67 fans in their inaugural season and between 234 and 341 from 1995 to 1997, attendance passed 2,000 in 2001 and hit a record 4,415 fans/match in the final season at McGrane, 2004.

Buoyed by the increasing attendance averages (far and away the league leaders), the Menace began making plans to build a soccer-specific stadium

Soccer-specific stadium

Soccer-specific stadium is a term used mainly in the United States, Canada, Australia and South Korea coined by Lamar Hunt, to refer to a sports stadium either purpose built or fundamentally redesigned for soccer and whose primary function is to host soccer matches, as opposed to a multipurpose...

. The proposed Liberty Bank Stadium would have been a 6,000 seater capable of hosting team, youth, and international matches. However, a land negotiations with western suburb Urbandale

Urbandale, Iowa

Urbandale is a city in Polk and Dallas counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 29,072; a special census taken by the city in 2005 counted 35,904 residents and the United States Census Bureau estimated that 38,369 residents lived there in 2008...

broke down and the Menace were unable to find another interested party.

With plans for a new stadium collapsing, the Menace moved to Waukee Stadium

Waukee Stadium

Waukee Stadium is a field located in Waukee, Iowa. It is the home field for Waukee High School's football games, soccer games, and track meets. Along with the high school's sports teams, the stadium is also a locale for a number of the high school's physical education programs. It previously...

in nearby Waukee

Waukee, Iowa

As of the census of 2000, there were 5,126 people, 1,927 households, and 1,445 families residing in the city. The population density was 610.9 people per square mile . There were 2,087 housing units at an average density of 248.7 per square mile...

for the 2005 season, where they remained through 2007. Attendance was in the high 3000s to low 4000s at Waukee Stadium. http://menacesoccer.com/team/history/ The Menace also played home matches at Coach Cownie Stadium on the south side of Des Moines when Waukee Stadium has had conflicts.

For the 2008 season, Menace relocated to Valley Stadium in nearby West Des Moines.http://menacesoccer.com/news/?id=14069

Average attendance

Attendance stats are calculated by averaging each team's self-reported home attendances from the historical match archive at http://www.uslsoccer.com/history/index_E.html.

The Menace have a long history of strong supporters. Historically, the club has been one of the best-supported teams in the PDL, and leads the league in attendance figures, regularly drawing in excess of 3,500 spectators. In addition to the record-setting attendance marks, Des Moines has the backing of the Red Army Supporters' Club, distinguishable at home matches by their singing, drum-beating, and flags.

1994: 67
1995: 234
1996: 341
1997: 294
1998: 895
1999: 1,963 (1st in PDL)
2000: 2,256 (1st in PDL)
2001: 3,919 (1st in PDL)
2002: 4,402 (1st in PDL)
2003: 3,971 (1st in PDL)
2004: 4,475 (1st in PDL)
2005: 4,112 (1st in PDL)
2006: 3,927 (1st in PDL)
2007: 3,589 (1st in PDL)
2008: 3,364 (2nd in PDL)
2009: 3,837 (1st in PDL)
2010: 3,552 (1st in PDL)

External links

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