Des Moines Menace News Release -- www.menacesoccer.com
Thursday, July 17, 2014
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa – The 2014 PDL Playoffs roll into Des Moines next week, and the Des Moines Menace have the chance to secure the league’s best record heading into the postseason.
The recently crowned Heartland Division and Central Conference champs can seal the PDL regular-season championship this weekend with two wins against WSA Winnipeg (2-8-2) at Valley Stadium. Friday’s and Saturday’s games kick off at 7:30 p.m.
The Menace (10-1-1) secured the division last Saturday with a 1-1 draw against St. Louis, and the conference on Tuesday with a 1-0 win against the Springfield Demize. Des Moines eyes its second PDL regular-season title, hoping to join the undefeated 2002 Menace in elite company.
The PDL also announced on Wednesday that Des Moines will host the Central Conference Championship next weekend at Valley Stadium. On Friday, July 25, the action begins at 4:30, with a matchup between the St. Louis Lions (Heartland Division runner-up) and the Michigan Bucks (Great Lakes Division champion). At 7:30, the Menace hosts K-W United FC, the Great Lakes Division’s second-place team. The conference semifinal winners face off on Saturday, July 26 at 7:30 p.m.
ABOUT THE MENACE
- Are 10-1-1 in its 21st PDL season, and second under Mike Jeffries.
- Riding an eight-game unbeaten streak
- Have conceded only seven goals in PDL play – second best in the league.
- Hold a 7-0-0 record when leading at half.
- Chris Hellmann ranks in the PDL’s top 10 in points (21, fifth), goals (eight, seventh), shots (33, 10th) and assists (five, seventh). He ranks fifth with 1.91 points per game.
- Have outscored PDL teams 14-2 in the first half. Holds an 11-5 edge in the second half.
- Have the most shutouts in franchise history (eight).
ABOUT WSA WINNIPEG
- 2-8-2 in its fourth season.
- Returner Moses Danto leads the team with five goals in nine games.
- Comes off a midweek 3-1 defeat against the St. Louis Lions.
- Has lost five straight games.
- Best season in franchise history was 2012 (3-8-5, 14 points).
- Eduardo Badescu leads the team as head coach for the fourth year.
ALL-TIME SERIES
- Des Moines leads the overall series, 9-0-1.
- The Menace won in Winnipeg on July 5 (2-0) and July 6 (3-0).
- The Menace lead the aggregate scoring in the series: 29-8.
- Des Moines has scored two or more goals in all but one of the meetings (a 1-0 home win on May 18, 2013).
MENACE AIMS FOR ANOTHER TITLE
- Heading into the final weekend of the PDL regular season, the Menace (10-1-1) have the league’s best record.
- Contending with the Menace for the PDL’s regular-season crown are the Jersey Express (10-1-2), the Seacoast United Phantoms (9-1-2), the defending champion Austin Aztex (10-1-2) and FC Tucson (11-2-1).
- In 20 previous seasons, the Menace have one regular-season title (2002) and one post-season championship (2005).