PDL Heartland Division Preview
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
After a season that saw the playoff race come down to the final game, the PDL’s Heartland Division is expecting more of the same this year as a number of teams hope to challenge last year’s playoff sides the Thunder Bay Chill and the Des Moines Menace for a spot in the postseason. After missing out on a tiebreaker last season, the Real Colorado Foxes will be back to challenge again, and the St. Louis Lions are also hoping to join the playoff contenders after a big offseason.
DES MOINES MENACE – The Menace took victory in their final regular season contest to book their return to the playoffs for the second time in three seasons. This year they’ll have to overcome some departures, with John Sosa now playing in the MISL and Deshorn Brown now playing for Reading United. Lebogang Moloto returns, however, after scoring six goals in 2011, and he’s joined by Creighton’s Brent Kallman and North Carolina’s Carlos McCrary, who had three goals and an assist for the NCAA Division I Champions last fall.
KANSAS CITY BRASS – The Brass finished fourth in the division a season ago, but well off the pace of the top three with a record of 4-8-4. The biggest fix for Coach Lincoln Roblee, who will enter his second season this year, will be to find a stronger defensive presence after the Brass allowed more than two goals-per-game last season.
REAL COLORADO FOXES – After the first appearance in the U.S. Open Cup a year ago, the Foxes will be aiming for their first playoff place this season after missing out on games won as they finished tied with the Menace on 36 points. Coach Leigh Davies will have the chance to accomplish that, with leading scorer Lorne Donaldson returning after recording 18 points a season ago. He’s joined by Sterling Copeland, who had four goals and five assists, while goalkeeper Miguel Rosales posted a 0.947 goals against-average a season ago.
SPRINGFIELD DEMIZE – The Demize are hoping to turn their fortunes around after a season that saw them win just once in the league. To try and accomplish that, East Texas Baptist’s Jose Esparza returns after leading the side with three goals last summer, while defender Michael Gow brings experience after making 13 appearances a season ago.
ST. LOUIS LIONS – The Lions are aiming to be a side that makes a jump forward this season to try and match the club’s playoff appearance in 2007. Alen Bradaric returns to the side for his seventh season, while Dean Lovegrove will aim to improve on his three goals and three assists from a season ago. The key for Tony Glavin’s team, though, will be whether they can turn draws into victories and find the next level.
THUNDER BAY CHILL – After winning the division, and reaching the national semifinals, a season ago, Tony Colistro’s side will try to reach the playoffs for the sixth consecutive season this summer. A big key to the Chill’s success has been their home record; they have gone 12-1-3 at home in the past two seasons, and will hope to continue that this year.
WSA WINNIPEG – WSA’s first season in the PDL saw its fair share of remarkable moments, including handing Thunder Bay one of only two defeats in the regular season. This season Eduardo Badescu will be looking for greater consistency from his side, which sees the return of captain Irving Garcia after playing in every game last season. Also back for a second season is Liberian Amos Ganyea, who had seven points last summer, and midfielder Greg Kulczycki, who had the second-most minutes on the team a year ago.