Des Moines Menace News Release -- www.menacesoccer.com
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa – For the second straight year, the Des Moines Menace’s Open Cup journey begins with a May 15 match against a National Premier Soccer League team from Wisconsin.
Des Moines’ Premier Development League side advanced to the second round of the 2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, with a wild, 3-1 overtime win at Milwaukee. This time around, the Menace opens at home – four days ahead of the team’s regular-season home opener.
The winner between the Madison 56ers and the Menace – the only Open Cup action on Wednesday night, and the first-ever meeting between these clubs – earns a second-round match at pro side Minnesota United F.C. on May 21.
A year ago, the Minnesota Stars ousted Des Moines, 2-0, in the cup’s second round.
Eying the organization’s first Open Cup home win since 2006, Des Moines is 8-7 in seven previous appearances. This includes a 5-4 mark at home, including cup losses at Valley Stadium in each of the last three years.
ABOUT THE MENACE
- Opened the PDL season with a 1-1 draw on Springfield on Saturday (May 11)
- Finished 8-5-3 in 2012, missing the Heartland Division’s second and final playoff spot by a single point to Real Colorado (8-4-4).
- Is under the direction of a new general manager (Matt Homonoff) and head coach (Mike Jeffries). The last time Des Moines did this, in 2005, the team ended the season as PDL champion (GM Alan Oatsvall and coach Casey Mann).
- Welcomes back eight returners, including three Iowans who have spent multiple years with the team: Charlie Bales (hometown: Cedar Rapids; 2011-2013 with Menace), Brandon Fricke (Grimes; 2010-13) and Husref Jupic (Johnston; 2010-13).
LAMAR HUNT U.S. OPEN CUP
- Celebrates its 100th year, is the oldest and most storied running soccer tournament in American soccer.
- Is a single-loss elimination style tournament with 68 teams – the most in the event’s history.
- Welcomes the country’s 16 Major League Soccer teams in the third round (May 28).
- The winner receives $250,000 and a berth in the CONCACAF Champions League; runner-up gets $60,000; last amateur team left standing receives $15,000.
MENACE IN THE OPEN CUP
- Making its fourth straight appearance in the U.S. Open Cup and eighth overall.
- Is 8-7 all-time in the national tournament.
- The team has a coach, a front-office member and a player who have each been part of Open Cup championship teams:
- Head coach Mike Jefferies won the Open Cup as an assistant coach with the Chicago Fire in 1998 and 2000.
- Menace general manager Matt Homonoff was in the front office of 2008 Open Cup champ D.C. United.
- Goalkeeper Scott Angevine got a ring as part of Sporting KC, the 2012 champion.
COMING UP: PDL HOME OPENER ON SATURDAY
- On Saturday, May 18, the Menace welcomes WSA Winnipeg for a men’s-women’s doubleheader. The women kick off at 4:30 p.m., followed by the men at 7:30. The first 300 fans will receive magnet schedules.
- On Saturday, May 25, the men’s and women’s Menace teams will play in St. Louis.