Official 2009-2010 Des Moines MENACE Post-Season Thread

Re: Official 2009 Des Moines MENACE Post-Season Thread

I am guessing that location has a lot to do with it. It's a bit out of the way as far as access goes...about 1.5 miles off of the main throughway, essentially only accessible through the E 14th/Hartford intersection, in a bit of a flood plain.

Of course, I am a big fan of it. It's a shorter drive than Valley Stadium is for me, it's in a nice quiet and scenic locale, and it has a nice grass field with an intimate atmosphere unlike Valley which feels wide open and has the nasty turf with football lines.

Probably the deal-killer with Cownie is the fact that it's located, uh, east of Valley Junction. I don't get the sense that the current ownership is at all interested in moving away from the west burbs.

 

Re: Official 2009 Des Moines MENACE Post-Season Thread

Yeah I agree. Location is everything but I'll give DSM soccer fans the benefit of the doubt and still believe they'd come out. The stadium is really nice and the pitch is amazing. They wouldn't need to buy it since its owned by the city, I think. If they put small bleachers on both sides of where the current stadium seating is, plus a set of bleachers behind the East goal and it'd be good to go. They even have seating (those foldable chairs) on half of one side of the field. Put up another temp bathroom, plus a beer garden and its set for a First Division club, or even still PDL. There is even plently of room for a kid's funzone area thing.
I do hate how open Valley feels, plus the fake turf, plus the football lines, plus the bad location, plus the no grilling in the parking lot, etc...
Not to mention people can tailgate at Cownie and actually make an event out of the game, like soccer is meant to be enjoyed.
Locker rooms would be an issue I guess because I don't think they have any. Theres room for it though, right behind the existing bathrooms.
It wouldn't be any further out than Waukee, if not closer.
All I know is, I will not be attending games this coming season if the club is still at Valley.

So who's up for the Drake game on Thursday?

 

Re: Official 2009 Des Moines MENACE Post-Season Thread

Just wanted to let you all know that the Menace will be hosting a press conference at 2:00 p.m. tomorrow, Wednesday, November 18 at Krause Gentle corporate headquarters. The media and public are invited to attend. The Des Moines Menace will make an announcement about the future of the organization.

If you can't make it out, check out MenaceSoccer.com tomorrow, after 2:00 p.m. for the details of the press conference.

 

Re: Official 2009 Des Moines MENACE Post-Season Thread

Uh bad timing since we will be at Victor's to watch the USA play tomorrow at 2pm. Let me know what happens.

 

Re: Official 2009 Des Moines MENACE Post-Season Thread

I think I may go to the press conference. I sort of want to be there when they announce we are going pro.

 

Re: Official 2009 Des Moines MENACE Post-Season Thread

I would like to be at the press conference when they announce we are going pro. Some day it may happen. Again, I'll be at Victor's. Country before club.

 

Re: Official 2009 Des Moines MENACE Post-Season Thread

Well, just for the sake of boredom at work, I’ll play. I imagine this could only mean a number of things, right? I mean, why would they hold a press conference to announce that they signed another two year contract with Valley Stadium as a PDL team, and everything is staying the same? Could it mean we are moving to a new stadium, which I would love? Could it mean we are moving to a higher division, which I would love? Could it mean we are changing leagues, which I would love? Or I guess it could be just announcing the new coach, which still sparks my interests, though would be moot if we stay at Valley as a PDL team.



This may also be moot but it got me thinking today about Cownie. Now in this photo, left to right, the field runs North to South (I was wrong on my directions before). The current seating accommodates for 2,000. I did some quick research and large 15 row bleachers run about $20,000. I would guess maybe three of those, plus what is already there at the stadium, would accommodate a Menace crowd just fine. Maybe, two on the sidelines and one behind the south goal. A conservative estimate would be probably between $60-$80,000 for the seating. The kids zone would also be behind the south goal but safe from any wild Thunder Bay-type of shot. Not like at Hoover where the inflatables were pretty much in the cross-hairs.

Now I guess they do have showers but I don’t think they’re very big. They would probably need to expand but at least the pluming and everything is there. Maybe Drake would go in on it so the teams have locker rooms.

With the bleachers being split face, it would be easier to segregate the families from the supporters and other adults who may use inappropriate language and drink alcoholic beverages. Also the Beer Tent would fit nicely in the Northwest corner of the park, especially if the family area is on the East side of the field.

Supporters and the club would finally be able to hold official tailgates, which isn’t just about drinking but grilling, socializing, it’s a form of promotion, and it’s a great atmosphere. That’s why college football is so much fun. Only about half the tailgaters actually go into the game (though I’m not an advocate of that).

Also, I think it’d be a good idea to run buses out to the park if the club generated enough buzz about it. Bring out the 20-something’s by partnering with a bar, offering to bring fans from that bar to the club for $15 or $20, but would include a match ticket. People love party buses. Just make a soccer game one of the stops.

I don’t know, just some thoughts. Of course I’m looking at this from a First Division perspective. If they were to remain in the PDL, they wouldn’t need too many bells and whistles. I have other thoughts but they’d only work with a pro team.

Bros before hos.

 

Re: Official 2009 Des Moines MENACE Post-Season Thread

I am assuming that this is a coach announcement?

 

Re: Official 2009 Des Moines MENACE Post-Season Thread

Although the timing before the AGM meeting is interesting.

 

Re: Official 2009 Des Moines MENACE Post-Season Thread

In other news, Victor's tomorrow for the US game.. for those that can make it

Game kicks off at 1:30.

Victor's Sports Club
7500 Douglas Ave
Urbandale 50322

 

Re: Official 2009 Des Moines MENACE Post-Season Thread

I don't know, the more I think about it the more I think it is just about a coach. Not that thats not news, but I could care less about it if we're still at the same stadium next year.

 

Re: Official 2009 Des Moines MENACE Post-Season Thread

I have to work at 3, so i doubt I'll be able to make it.

 

Re: Official 2009 Des Moines MENACE Post-Season Thread

The coaching announcement will be big but I'm still going to the US match.

 

Re: Official 2009 Des Moines MENACE Post-Season Thread

Now that it's after 200. Laurie is back!

 

Re: Official 2009 Des Moines MENACE Post-Season Thread

Its 2:35 and still nothing on the website. Maybe KK is still doing the Q&A session??

 

Re: Official 2009 Des Moines MENACE Post-Season Thread

Figured something would be out on Twitter by now as they have been fantastic with that in the past.

 

Re: Official 2009 Des Moines MENACE Post-Season Thread

Nice to see Calloway back. Has he been doing anything the last two years?

 

Re: Official 2009 Des Moines MENACE Post-Season Thread

Is that who they hired, Calloway??? One and Done job again??

 

Re: Official 2009 Des Moines MENACE Post-Season Thread

I was there and have a few thoughts, which of course I'm never afraid of sharing:
It has always annoyed me when supporters club constantly try to pick fights with the FO. And I also don't want to sound ungrateful for everything KK and Krause Gentle, has done for the soccer community. And Calloway is a hell of a coach and the Menace are lucky to have him. But with that being said, I am disappointed, in my dillusional world, that the press conference wasn't more than what it was.

I'm not going to beat a dead horse but Des Moines has something special, and the market hasn't even been really tapped. Again, it is not being taken advantage of. Calloway will be nothing but a positive for the club but the PDL team is still a PDL team, and as far as I know, still plays at Valley.

Listening to Laurie talk, he seemed grateful for the opportunity, but I couldn't help but feel like he thought he was settling. Maybe its just his personality. The man has played and coached at the highest level of football in our country and he is now going to coach an amateur side. I can only assume it cost a fair amount of dough. He also said he wanted to develop and focus on the academy. I hope that won't take away from the PDL team.

Again I am happy Laurie is back. Last time he was a manager in Des Moines, I was in high school. Hopefully something bigger is in the works (maybe something to do with the AGM meetings this weekend) but if thats it, I don't see myself attending games this summer. Valley is spelled with four letters as far as I am concerned.

I try and push how great Des Moines is on everybody but now with no hockey and still no soccer, I'm beginning to think I don't belong here (and I am willing to admit I have an unhealthy obsession with sports. Ask my wife).

 

Re: Official 2009 Des Moines MENACE Post-Season Thread

Can one of you explain in brief and simplistic terms the new USL-1 and Breakaway League or whatever they are calling it? Thanks

 

Re: Official 2009 Des Moines MENACE Post-Season Thread

I don't think anyone can, including the TOA.

 

Re: Official 2009 Des Moines MENACE Post-Season Thread

At this point no. It's all unknown.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nyy1eDR59jk"]YouTube- Des Moines Menace Press Conference[/ame]

 

Re: Official 2009 Des Moines MENACE Post-Season Thread

I'm with buz here, I'm greatly underwhelmed. They make this sound like it's some great announcement for our future, and it's just for our coach. It's why I skipped out on actually going, I wasn't going to drive out there just to hear the announcement of our new coach. Forgive my ignorance, but I didn't become a Menace supporter until 2005, so I'm not really familiar with him which makes it hard to get overly excited for.

I'm reeeeeally hoping we find somewhere that'll actually let us tailgate...I'd attend that press-conference.

Buz, I doubt we'll be without pro hockey for more than just this year. We're a ridiculously great minor league city, someone will want to try actually running a legitimate team here soon. As for the Menace, I don't know what to tell you about their situation.

 

Re: Official 2009 Des Moines MENACE Post-Season Thread

For those that don't know, our second most successful season came with Laurie's second and last year with us in 2002 when we were undefeated in the regular season, 15-0-3.

He's responsible for bringing in all the talent that helped make that year great, including recruiting Boltnar, and set the bar for us and for potential players. Even more players will want to come play for us with the credentials he has; former MLS coach that has been in an MLS Cup, USL-1 coach that made it to the playoffs all three years etc.

I didn't even realize that his two year PDL record was 26-7-5 until I saw the release. I've kind of forgotten about that first season with him, when we played 20 games.

He brings a very aggressive attacking mentality to the Menace that is very fun to watch. Basically the kind of soccer we complain about not seeing enough of in the US. In 02, we outscored opponents 68-19 and that wasn't only from playing Sioux Falls and Wisconsin.

Despite no indications today, from the times I talked with Mr Krause in the past, there is a desire to move on to bigger and better things but the timing has to be right and it has to make financial sense. So either right now there isn't anything or they don't want to say anything unless there is something concrete.

And I will say this... the success on the field with Laurie and off the field, which was directly tied to our success on the field, was what helped make the situation with Urbandale and Liberty Bank Stadium possible. Perhaps this is the start of a new build to the future If we have similar success with Laurie, it can't come at a better time than next year... when soccer gets the most publicity that it can in the US; during the World Cup.

 

Re: Official 2009 Des Moines MENACE Post-Season Thread

I actually heard a rumor from somebody deep within the local hockey community tonight during my adult league games at the madhouse on Hickman. Everybody knows that the Phoenix Coyotes are bankrupt and they will move. Everybody also knows that KC has a brand new arena and the NHL is salivating at the thought of being their marquee tenant (much like WFA, the Sprint Center was built primarily to host hockey). Supposedly the Coyotes are headed to KC...
What does this mean for us? Well, the same source said that with the Stars now in Austin, Texas has too much hockey to handle and the Coyotes' affiliate in San Antonio is ready to head out (although the NBA Spurs own them so...). According to my source, the Rampage would continue to serve as the Coyotes AHL affiliate in our conveniently located arena. Of course both teams would have a name change. The Chops name is locally owned even if the team was not.
Whether this is the truth or not, I cannot say. I have been saying it is a matter of when not if for KC getting an NHL team and when that day comes DM will be their affiliate. Both leagues continually hint at that.

As far as today's announcement, I have to admit to being disappointed. Calloway is great and all, but with the TOA/USL-1 battle I hoped for something more important.