DES MOINES, Iowa – Monday, July 15, 2019 – Drake Stadium will be the site of the USL League Two’s Central Conference championship weekend.

 

The Des Moines Menace prepares to host the playoff action on Friday, July 19 and Sunday, July 21.

League officials announced that Des Moines is one of four hosts for the first round of the postseason. This is the Menace’s sixth straight postseason berth, and the second straight year the Menace have been chosen to host.

The Menace (11-0-3) has celebrated the franchise’s 26th season by securing the regular-season titles for the Heartland Division, Central Conference and USL League Two regular-season championship. 

 

Friday, July 19 – Central Conference Semifinals at Drake Stadium 4:30 p.m.: Chicago FC United (Great Lakes Division champion) vs. Kaw Valley FC (Heartland Division runner-Up) 7:30 p.m.: Menace (Heartland Division champion) vs. Flint City Bucks (Great Lakes Division runner-up)

 

Saturday, July 21 – Central Conference Championship at Valley Stadium 7:30 p.m.: Friday’s winners face off

 

TEAM CAPSULES  

 

DES MOINES MENACE (Heartland Division champion) The undefeated Menace makes its sixth straight appearance in the USL League Two Playoffs. The 2019 season marks the second straight undefeated season in a row and earns the franchise back-to-back regular season titles. The Menace have not lost a regular season game since July 14, 2017. The four goals conceded is the lowest goals against tally in league history. The franchise’s 26-year history includes four trips to the PDL Final Four – most recently in 2005, when the Menace won the championship.    

Record: 11-0-3,36 points

Goals For-Goals Against: 30-4 (4 goals allowed is the least in USL League Two)

Coaches: First-year head coach Mark McKeever is assisted by Nick Jamarillo and Dean Grey.

Best finish: USL League Two Champion (2005)    

 

FLINT CITY BUCKS (Great Lakes Division runner-up) The Bucks and Menace have faced off seven times in the playoffs with Flint City winning five of the meetings. The last time the two sides met was back in 2017, when the Menace won 2-0 in Central Conference Semi-Final in Michigan.

Record: 8-3-3,27 points

Goals For-Goals Against: 29-18

Coach: First-year head coach Demir Muftari leads the Bucks.

Best finish: USL League Two Champion (2006, 2014 and 2016)      

 

CHICAGO FC UNITED (Great Lakes Division champion) Last year Des Moines swept the four-game regular season series, outscoring Chicago 14-2 but lost when it mattered most in the Central Conference Semi-Final.

Record: 9-4-1,28 points

Goals For-Goals Against: 31-13

Coach: First-year head coach Jamie Smith leads Chicago back to the playoffs.

Best finish: USL League Two Final Four (2019)    

 

KAW VALLEY FC (Heartland Division runner-up) In its second USL League Two season, Kaw Valley makes its first ever post season appearance. Des Moines tied with the Cranes in Lawrence, when the game was called in the 50th minute due to lightning and won 1-0 at home back in June.

Record: 7-3-4,25 points

Goals For-Goals Against: 25-18

Coach: Second-year head coach Istvan Urbanyi takes the Cranes to the playoffs for the first time.

Best finish: USL League Two Playoffs (2019)  

 

TICKETS (for ages 6 and older): $10 on game day, or save when you purchase your tickets online .

2019 season and individual tickets will be honored for postseason games hosted by the Menace.

This marks the Menace’s 17th playoff appearance and its seventh time hosting postseason action.

The winner of the July 21 Central Conference final will move on to a July 27 semifinal, and the USL League Two’s Championship’s set for August 3.

 To keep up with Menace playoff information stay tuned to menacesoccer.com or follow the team on Twitter and Facebook.