2012 Des Moines Menace

They do, however, they have had some older players from outside the club play (from Iowa). They really havent had any out of staters play for a season ala MN Lightning. That would require berthing at another players home and recruiting and working camps. IM not sure how much $ they have in the budget for that?? Lightning was the real deal. Come to think about it, Menace has on staff the X-HC of the MI WLeague team that played against Lightning. Im sure Coach Gibson knows what it takes for the Menace to get up and running. Adding to this, Menace knows what its doing with the Mens team, hopefully same will be put forth for the women. We will be ticket holders Im sure.

PS, There has been some current out of staters from ISU & UI playing for Rush in the past.

 

Hey Abbie, question regarding the women. I see that FC Indiana is now going to WPSL Elite Division with some of the X-WPS teams, wasnt FCI the leader in the new league that Menace was going to join into with?? And if this is a fact, will that hurt the new league???

 

Will Menace season tickets also include getting into all the Womens games??
Thanks!!

 

Thanks

 

Info Only....

MLS4MN, A New Coalition for Professional Soccer in Minnesota

2012 June 5
tags: Minnesota Stars FC, MLS, MLS to the Twin Cities
by Brian Quarstad
A new coalition for professional soccer in Minnesota has recently formed under the name MLS4MN or Major League Soccer for Minnesota. While the group hopes and plans for MLS to someday be in the Twin Cities, they are also keenly aware and supportive of the professional team we currently have here, the Minnesota Stars FC.
MLS4MN recently put out a press release to the major media in the Twin Cities announcing their goal of bringing the highest quality soccer to Minnesota. The press release states that MLS4MN supports Minnesota’s local pro teams, while maintaining the goal of ultimately attracting an MLS team to the Twin Cities.
IMS recently did a Q and A with one of the coalitions spokespersons, Dave Laidig, to find out more about the group and how they hope to get the support of the entire soccer community in Minnesota and garner the support of the business community as well.
IMS: Dave, I know there was a website called MLS4MN.com that Minnesota soccer supporter Joe Leyba started over a year ago when he first heard the Wilfs talk seriously about bringing an MLS team to the Twin Cities as part of the construction of a new stadium. A lot has happened since. The Vikings finally got their stadium bill passed with an option to bring an MLS team to play in the new venue which will be located in downtown Minneapolis. What was it that motivated this MLS4MN Coalition group to form and what are your primary goals?
Dave Laidig: Our primary goal has not changed since Joe created our website: to serve as a focal point for those interested in advancing professional soccer in Minnesota. MLS4MN seeks to protect our local soccer team, attract the top division of professional soccer (Major League Soccer) as well as international matches and friendlies with European clubs.
Recently, we have become more proactive in communicating the interests of our soccer community as the possibility of MLS soccer in Minnesota gains more visibility with the public. For example, with MLS discussed during the Viking Stadium debate, it is more difficult for our current professional soccer team – the MN Stars FC – to find a potential buyer. And the inability to find a buyer means Minnesota risks losing its professional soccer team, and we have had professional soccer for over 20 years, longer than MLS has played games.
With the preservation of pro soccer in Minnesota at risk, and a new stadium supposedly capable of hosting high-level soccer events, and the possibility of a bid for a MLS team, we have a lot of work ahead of us.
IMS: So far who is involved in MLS4MN and who do you hope to get involved in the future?
Dave Laidig: MLS4MN was founded by active supporters of professional soccer in Minnesota, and remains driven by the volunteers that are passionate about the game. As an issue that affects the broader community, we have plans to reach out and local business and political leaders, both to communicate our concerns as well as to offer our support for advancing issues of mutual interest. Further, we remain willing to speak to any and all ownership groups that may hold an interest in running our NASL team or bring an MLS team to Minnesota.
IMS: How do people, businesses and organization, like perhaps local soccer clubs, become involved with MLS4MN or at least keep updated with what the coalition is doing?
Dave Laidig: If you care about soccer, whether it is MLS, our beloved Stars, the US National Team, or the opportunity to see your favorite European teams live: We need you.
1) “Like” MLS4MN on Facebook to stand up and be counted (it’s the least you can do)
2) Join MLS4MN (individuals, community organizations, businesses, local clubs)
–Keep informed on issues of relevance
–Allow for a better description of Minnesota supporters
–Be ready to voice your support when MLS4MN issues an action alert
3) Enjoy Minnesota Soccer!
–Because attendance matters and we just happen to love soccer
IMS: You recently put out a press release. What was the purpose of that and do you expect to be doing more of that sort of thing in the future?
Dave Laidig: Our aim with the press release was twofold: (1) introduce our coalition to wider public, and (2) raise the profile of the issues that affect Minnesota’s soccer fans. Communication of soccer interests is a core function of our coalition and will continue. As part of this role, we welcome the input from fellow soccer fans, from suggestions for issues that matter and, especially, your support.
You can email Dave Laidig or Wesley Burdine.
Press release from MLS4MN
MLS4MN Advocates for Professional Soccer in Minnesota
Minneapolis (MN) – A grass-roots coalition of supporters and businesses has formed seeking the advancement of professional soccer in Minnesota. For over 30 years, Minnesota has supported a professional team, but professional soccer in Minnesota is at a critical stage.
The Vikings made soccer features key components of the recent stadium legislation signed by the Governor, with the organization publically considering a Major League Soccer (MLS) team. However, Minnesota currently fields a team of over-achieving professional soccer players; the Minnesota Stars FC, the defending champions of the North American Soccer League (NASL).
With the dynamic environment for soccer in Minnesota, the prospect of a top-tier MLS team is tempered by the possibility that the exclusive rights for bringing an MLS team to the state has created a lame duck situation for the Minnesota Stars. With the Stars currently searching for a new owner, the stadium bill will have driven away all other potential owners. As a result, the Vikings stadium bill may end up killing professional soccer in Minnesota for at least the next decade.
In response to these threats, in the interests of local businesses that thrive off the economic stimulus, and in support of professional soccer, the coalition behind MLS4MN serves as an organizing foundation for professional soccer in Minnesota. And with its mission to bring the highest quality soccer to Minnesota, MLS4MN supports Minnesota’s local pro teams, while maintaining the goal of ultimately attracting an MLS team to the Twin Cities.
As stated by Ben Pfutzenreuter, “Because if there’s one thing Minnesotans do well, it’s working together for our future. Major League Soccer represents additional jobs, revenue, entertainment, and cultural appeal for citizens, current and prospective.” Major League Soccer has currently the 3rd highest average attendance of all leagues in the US. Further, soccer supporters realize MLS markets are the primary targets for international soccer events like US Mens National Team games and European friendlies.
MLS4MN recently addressed the controversial trade of the Stars right to host a home game in the US Open Cup in exchange for undisclosed financial considerations from the MLS-leading Real Salt Lake. Citing a difficult business decision, the Stars gave up the home game it earned with its second round victory in Des Moines last week.
While acknowledging how hard it is to lose an opportunity to compete against an MLS team in Minnesota, the coalition looks forward to demonstrating to MLS our local soccer culture through our support for the MN Stars. Ben Pfutzenreuter puts it succinctly, “We hope Don Garber and RSL recognize that we are taking one for the team, especially in future considerations.”
Local supporters, led by the Dark Clouds, will cheer on Minnesota’s professional soccer team as it faces one of many future MLS opponents. The Minnesota Stars FC have arranged for a viewing party, starting at 7 pm, at the Sweetwater Bar & Grill, 161 St. Anthony Ave. near downtown St. Paul for those unable to make the trip to Utah.