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.

Re: 2011 Des Moines Menace

With changes to the US Open Cup format (an extra roud to accommodate all pro teams, therefore an earlier start) there will be no more qualifying games for PDL teams. Starting this season, it will be based on previous season's finish. Guess who are in as last season's Heartland Division runners-up?

http://thecup.us/ussf-announces-monumental-format-changes-to-2012-us-open-cup/

Yeah i saw that last week or whatever. Its great for not having to play games that double as qualifiers when not all players have arrived yet. However, the condensed Open Cup schedule makes the season schedule more difficult

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???

Friday, May 4 7:30 p.m. Real Colorado
Saturday, May 5 7:30 p.m. Real Colorado
Wednesday, May 9 7 p.m. at Springfield
Saturday, May 12 7:30 p.m. St. Louis
Saturday, May 19 7:30 p.m. Kansas City
Saturday, May 26 5 p.m. at St. Louis
Friday, June 1 7 p.m. at WSA Winnipeg
Saturday, June 2 7 p.m. at WSA Winnipeg
Saturday, June 9 7:30 p.m. Kansas City
Thursday, June 14 7 p.m. at Springfield
Saturday, June 16 7:30 p.m. Exhibition TBA
Friday, June 22 6:30 p.m. at Thunder Bay
Saturday, June 23 6:30 p.m. at Thunder Bay
Saturday, June 30 7:30 p.m. Springfield
Friday, July 6 7:30 p.m. Thunder Bay
Saturday, July 7 7:30 p.m. Thunder Bay
Saturday, July 14 7:30 p.m. Exhibition TBA
Sunday, July 15 5 p.m. at St. Louis

May 26 & July 25 @ St.Louis Lions
about a dozen of us came up to watch a game in your home city
You guys should come visit us this year!

So what should our plan be for this season? Anyone up for tailgating way earlier and making a whole day of it, to watch the women's games before the men?

women's team schedule is out


Saturday, May 19 4:30 p.m. FC Indiana
Saturday, June 2 4 p.m. at FC Indiana
Saturday, June 9 4 p.m. at Indiana Invaders
Saturday, June 30 4:30 p.m. Cincy Saints Lad ies
Saturday, July 7 4:30 p.m. Indiana Invaders
Saturday, July 14 4:30 p.m. Ft. Wayne SC
Saturday, July 21 4 p.m. at Cincy Saints Ladies
Sunday, July 22 4 p.m. at Ft. Wayne SC

they're going to be putting teams into both leagues. Apparently they have enough girls to roster a couple squads. We were asked to join both but wanted to start with the one league.

Red Army/ US Outlaws Supporters can get a $50 season ticket again this year. The ticket includes all regular season, Open Cup, and playoff games. The pass is going to be on a lanyard again this season and I hear they're shipping those out within the next week so you have them for opening night.You need to use the code "RED ARMY" or "REDARMY" on the online store to get the discount. Please pass it on to the rest of the group. See you in a week!

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

Thanks

one ticket for both games. hard to imagine it'd be worth the effort to clear the stadium after the first game.

We're in very preliminary talks (read: I brought the idea up to SnakeEyes and we're going to gauge interest throughout the season) to get a group together to go to that late July game.

COYR! (come on you reds!) UP THE MENACE!

Looking forward to a successful 2012 campaign.

Hey guys, a reminder that the Menace are offering $50 season tickets for Red Army/Outlaws members, use the promo code REDARMY when checking out on the Menace store.

http://menacesoccer.com/tickets/

Also, as many of you know ESPN/FOX are broadcasting all matches on the last day of the EPL season across their platforms on 5/13. Victor's can have at least 6 matches on TV.

I say can because this is only a tentative event until we know how many are coming. With all kickoffs at 9am, we need a head count and commitment ASAP that you'll show up to make it worth their while to open. If we don't show up they won't do it again for us. So please go to the AO group page, click the event and click the join and let us know right now or ASAP! AND SPREAD THE WORD TO OTHER FANS TO JOIN!

http://www.facebook.com/events/403951052959023/

If the match you want to see is streaming online we will bring computers to get it on TV.

Man City vs QPR
Sunderland vs Man U
Arsenal vs West Brom
Tottenham vs Fulham
Everton vs Newcastle
Chelsea vs Blackburn
Swansea City vs Liverpool
Norwich City vs Aston Villa
Stoke City vs Bolton
Wigan vs Wolves

Victor's
7500 Douglas Ave
Urbandale, IA 50322

From the Menace Twitter account it seems like we are very aggressive tonight but can't find the net in the first half.

Let's see if they can come back from 1-0 with the Bavarians down a man for 45 min

See y'all Tuesday night. Menace vs Minnesota of NASL!

Crap. No KC or Chicago this year. A win against Minnesota and the Menace will fly off to Real Salt Lake for round 3. I wonder if our stingy GM regrets ruling out a 3rd round bid now

Let's just hope we have such problems.

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.