WEST DES MOINES, Iowa – Saturday, July 7, 2018 – No doubt about it: the Des Moines Menace is this year’s one and only champion of the Premier Development League Heartland Division.

Tonight’s 2-0 victory solidifies the Menace’s sweep of the four-game season series with second-place and playoff-bound Chicago FC United. This comes one night after a 5-1 victory here at Valley Stadium in the doubleheader’s opener.

Scoring tonight for the still-undefeated Menace (12-0-1) were Christo Michaelson and Kino Ryosuke.

Michaelson’s long-range blast in the 42nd minute gave the Menace the halftime lead; Ryosuke’s PDL-leading 15th goal – a header set up by Omar Mohamed in the 69th minute– provided plenty of insurance for a team that’s outscored opponents 34-5.

“It’s awesome,” Michaelson said while signing post-game autographs for a long line of fans. “I’m just happy to be here, and happy to help keep it going. It’s a very organized group and everybody’s buying into it. It’s a team effort.”

This year’s team looks to join the 2002 Menace (15-0-3) in securing the second undefeated season in the franchise’s 25-year history.

With a home win next Friday, Des Moines can clinch at least a share of the PDL’s regular-season championship. Reading United AC (11-0-2) and South Georgia Tormenta FC (10-0-1) are the league’s only other undefeated teams.

“We’re not letting up,” Michaelson said. “It’s all about momentum at this point. We keep our heads down and keep moving forward.”