WEST DES MOINES, Iowa – Friday, July 29, 2011 – Des Moines Menace midfielder Bryan Perez has earned a spot on the Premier Development League’s Team of the Week, announced yesterday by the United Soccer Leagues.

Perez teamed up with Husref Jupic for three goals in the Menace’s 5-1 win over Kansas City on Saturday. Perez assisted Jupic’s game-winner in first-half stoppage time; Jupic set up Perez for back-to-back goals in the 73rd and 74th minutes.

Saturday’s home victory kept the Menace’s playoff hopes alive, and the team clinched a postseason berth on Sunday. Lebogang Moloto scored the lone goal in a 1-0 win at St. Louis on the final day of the regular season. His heroics landed him a spot on this week’s honorable-mention squad.

A native of Miami who was born in Costa Rica, Perez is the third Menace player named to the league’s team of the week in 2011. Teammates John Sosa (May 26) and Jubril Lawal (July 14) also earned this recognition.

Perez, a UMKC graduate, and Moloto, a South African who attends Linsdsey Wilson (Ky.), are tied for third on the team with 13 points. Sosa assisted Moloto’s header on Sunday for his 22nd point, edging Deshorn Brown (21) for the team lead.

The current Team of the Week and honorable-mention winners also feature members of the three teams joining the Menace at this weekend’s Central Conference semifinals.

UP NEXT: The Menace takes on the Michigan Bucks tonight at 8 p.m. CDT in a PDL Central Conference semifinal. The winner advances to tomorrow’s conference final, facing the winner of Chicago Fire Premier and the Thunder Bay Chill. Ultimate Soccer Arenas is the site for all three matches, which will be broadcasted at www.USLlive.com.

Fans’ Guide to the PDL Playoffs