WEST DES MOINES, Iowa – Friday, June 3, 2011 – An exhibition match tomorrow is the Des Moines Menace’s final step the before a weeklong Canadian roadtrip.

The Menace (4-1-0) takes on Des Moines International Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. at Valley Stadium. The team hits the road on Monday for a northern trip that includes four Premier Development League matches in five days. Des Moines is preparing to face Heartland Division foes WSA Winnipeg (June 7-8) and the Thunder Bay Chill (June 10-11).

“The hope (in Canada) is to go 4-0 and stay on top of the league. It would build great momentum for the Open Cup game on Tuesday (June 14). With a 16-game schedule you can’t lose a game and make the playoffs,” said head coach Laurie Calloway.

His squad has momentum on its side coming off a 5-2 win Wednesday night over the Kansas City Brass. Des Moines raced to a 4-0 lead after only 32 minutes.

“The team played incredibly well in the first 30 minutes of the game,” said Calloway. “We kept the ball out of our half for the most part the second half. We got back on track with the results; it was good for their spirits.”

Tomorrow’s exhibition gives Calloway the chance to play some of his underutilized players who are vying for time in the lineup. Fans can still expect to see the team’s top players in the starting 11.

“Now we’re gearing up for to Canada trip and trying to figure out our line-up. We need to keep our momentum. I’m looking at players that we haven’t been featuring to see if they can stake a claim on the bus for Canada,” noted Calloway.

Canada is not the only thing in the back of the Menace’s minds. Upon returning to the United States, the team will have only one day to prepare for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday, June 14. The Menace hosts the Chicago Fire PDL team at 7:30 p.m. at Valley Stadium.

RECAPPING WEDNESDAY: Des Moines came off firing against the Kansas City Brass on Wednesday at Overland Park Soccer Complex.

Four goals within a twenty minute span found the net in the early part of the first half.  Deshorn Brown’s first goal landed in the 15th minute and he scored another in the 32nd. Diego Marroquin scored in the 18th minute off a ricocheted ball in the box. Bryan Perez tallied his first goal of the season during minute 25 with an assist from Lebogang Moloto.

Des Moines entered halftime with a 4-2 lead. The only second-half goal came from Uriah Polley in the 67th. The Brass kept the Menace from qualifying two teams in the Open Cup after handing Des Moines their only loss (2-1) of the season on May 25.

SCOUTING DES MOINES INTERNATIONAL: Saturday’s opponent goes by the name Ecuador Des Moines. The team is coached by Roberto Triana and features local players from Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Sudan and Zambia.

MENACE PLAYERS AMONG LEAGUE LEADERS: John Sosa is second in the league with six assists; Deshorn Brown is tied for second in goals (six), tied for third in points (13) and listed fifth in shots (19).

SATURDAY’S PROMOTIONS: Saturday is Youth Soccer Night, presented by Porwerade and Vitamin Water. All youth-soccer players and coaches receive free admission at the gate, when they wear their team’s jersey or present a coach’s pass.

The Menace welcomes special guest Alberto Garcia Aspe, a former captain for the Mexican National Team who played in three FIFA World Cups (1994, 1998 and 2002). Garcia Aspe will sign autographs at Valley Stadium from 7 o’clock until 7:45. His appearance is sponsored by Coca-Cola and Kum & Go.

UPCOMING HOME ACTION: Des Moines is back at Valley Stadium on Tuesday, June 14, hosting the Chicago Fire PDL team in the first round of the U.S. Open Cup. Fans can save $2 by purchasing advance tickets at tomorrow’s game, or by clicking here to buy online.