23-year-old Czech Tomas Boltnar of the PDL's Des Moines Menace put up such spectacular numbers this year, I have to think he'll be moving up a level or two next year. Maybe an MLS team could use him for the stretch run. DCU can't buy a goal--maybe they should think about it. Then again, the Menace do pretty well financially. Maybe they can hold on to him.
Much depends on his green card status. My guess is he doesn't have one. If the Menace move to the A-League next year, as is widely speculated they will, I'm betting he'll still be with them.
Some new version of promotion I haven't heard of: lose in the octofinals of the playoffs, move up 2 divisions. But I have to think that they can probably hold their own up there, though.
Promotion The Storm tried much the same thing this year after losing in the PDL finals last year and are basically getting waxed. A good part of this can be attributed to playing the kids (3 on the U-20 Nat'l team and a 16 yr old off to a tryout with Sheff Wed and Spurs, avg age for the players in the last game was under 21), lacking size (read kids) and not bringing in experienced Talent (read money). Des Moines could probably do a better job, income is in US$ and I don't believe they have a youth system/soccer academy or a promise to try and keep the vast majority of the team local. Still, I think i'd wait until the stadium is built before jumping up so they can better guarantee their revenue stream.
He has a college degree and is working in a job he enjoys. Soccer is not his life, he honestly does it because he loves it. He is on every promotional item for the Menace....why go from that to what his former teammate (Andy G. current starting GK with the Crew) has in the form of a $17,000 developmental contract? Until the salaries in the MLS improve making it a viable CAREER, not all the top talent will migrate. That is my $.02.
You'll never see him in the MLS or at a higher level solely due to his desires. That time came and went a few years ago because he loved his situation in Des Moines and I doubt any amount of money could get him away. I know Tomas pretty well and that's just the reality of it for him; soccer isn't his life and his life is in Des Moines with a little summer soccer involved.
I couldn't have said it better, Maniac. I, frankly, find it interesting that anyone outside of our Menace "circle" even cares. If I may, why do you ask about Thomas?
Not that I care about his career and what he makes but... does the Menace pay him much of does still have amateur status? Either way, seems likes a cool gig if you've got what you want and it's feasible. If they open a stadium, he'll probably christen it.