This new group of forwards and midfielders isn’t lacking for firepower.

 

The Des Moines Menace’s 2011 roster includes four players who led their college teams in scoring last fall.

 

“We’ll have goals coming in from college,” said Menace head coach Laurie Calloway. “Will that translate into goals here?”

 

It’s a big question for this year’s team, as Des Moines opens the Premier Development League season on Saturday night at Valley Stadium.

 

Calloway has lofty aspirations for this group, which tries to start things on the right foot, hosting the rival St. Louis Lions at 7:30.

 

“I’d like to think we can score between 40 and 50 goals and concede less than 16 goals – less than a goal per game – in league play,” Calloway said.

 

A year ago, the Menace outscored PDL foes 30-20 – and only 18-15 after securing the Heartland Division’s U.S. Open Cup berth in May.

 

By contrast, the 2002 Menace lit up the scoreboard with 68 goals (allowing 19) and finished undefeated in Calloway’s second season here. After returning in Nov. 2009 and guiding the team to a 6-3-7 mark in his third season in Des Moines, Calloway likes what he sees in this group.

 

“We’ll have more creativity in the midfield and more firepower up front,” Calloway said. “There’s certainly a lot more depth (than a year ago).”

 

Player Capsules

 

FORWARDS

 

Deshorn Brown

Hometown: Jamaica

College: University of Mobile

Named to NAIA all-America first team and all-tournament team in 2010, when he piled up 47 points (21 goals and five assists) during the Rams’ final-four campaign…College teammate of returning Menace player Jubril Lawal.

 

Jarrett Hamilton

Hometown: Toronto, Ontario

College: Oral Roberts

Led the Golden Eagles in points (16), goals (6) and assists (4) in 2010…A first team all-Summit League selection.

 

Shane Lyons

Hometown: Plainwell (Mich.)

College: Western Michigan

A first team All-MAC selection…Led the Broncos in goals (7), points (20), game-winning goals (3), and shots (57), while ranking second on the squad with six assists…Has spent three seasons in the PDL with the Chicago Fire (2010) and Kalamazoo Outrage (2008-09).

 

Jonny Macadam

Hometown: Glasgow, Scotland

College: Grand View

An NAIA all-America honorable mention selection after leading the Vikings’ Elite Eight team in goals (16) and points (39)…Menace returner Luis Piffer, a second-team all-American, was second on the team, with 13 goals and 29 points…eligibility pending clearance by United Soccer Leagues.

 

Danny McBride

Hometown: Dublin, Ireland

College: Drury University

Tallied an assist in five matches for the Panthers as a freshman.

 

Adekunle Oluyedun

Hometown: Westfield (Ind.)

College: Butler

Was selected for the All-Horizon League second team and all-newcomer squad…Netted five goals for the Bulldogs as a freshman in 2010…pending international clearance from the United States Soccer Federation.

 

 

 

 

MIDFIELDERS

 

Charlie Bales

Hometown: Cedar Rapids

College: Western Illinois

Named to the 2010 Summit League’s all-newcomer team.

 

Brady Blankenship

Hometown: Glenwood

College: Graceland

Registered four goals and one assist for the Yellowjackets last fall.

 

Alexis Dominguez

Hometown: Miami

College: Western Illinois

Earned all-conference, all-region and all-national tournament honors while playing for Garden City Community College (2008-09)…Scored two goals and tallied one assist for the Leathernecks in 2010.

 

Aaron Douthitt

Hometown: Wylie, Tex.

College: Oral Roberts

Played in 15 matches for the Golden Eagles in 2010, tallying one assist.

 

Adam Glanzer

Hometown: Harrisburg, S.D.

College: Butler

Played in 18 games for the Bulldogs last season…Recorded seven points on two goals and three assists to help Butler to an NCAA Tournament appearance.

 

Finn Jor

Hometown: Oslo, Norway

College: Northern Illinois

Scored three goals and registered one assist for the Huskies in 2010…Played for the Rochester Thunder in 2010.

 

Tad Kreamalmeyer

Hometown: Troy, Ill.

College: Evansville

Earned honorable mention all-Missouri Valley Conference after scoring three goals for the Purple Aces in 2010 …Was a regular starter for the St. Louis Lions last summer.

 

Luis Lemus

Hometown: Oklahoma City (Okla.)

College: Western Michigan

Played in 17 games for the Broncos in 2010…Named to the Dayton Courtyard by Marriott Classic All-Tournament Team…Suited up for the Kalamazoo Outrage in 2010.

 

Carlos Montes

Hometown: San Jose, Calif.

College: Santa Clara

Started all 21 games for the Broncos on their way to a 2010 West Coast Conference championship and an NCAA Tournament appearance.

 

Bryan Perez

Hometown: Miami (Fla.)

College: Missouri - Kansas City (UMKC)

Closed out his career as the UMKC school record holder in goals (29), points (70), shots (160) and games played (78)…Started all 78 games of his ‘Roo career…Also became the first three-time first-team all-league honoree, the first four-time all-league selection and the first three-time all-region honoree in school history…Played professionally for the Missouri Comets of the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) in 2010-11 – playing status pending amateur reinstatement from the United States Soccer Federation.

 

John Sosa

Hometown: St. Cloud, Fla.

College: Missouri - Kansas City (UMKC)

Notched six goals and two assists for the Kangaroos in 2010 to earn Summit League Offensive Player of the Year…Recipient of UMKC’s Jack Gant Award, which is presented to the best overall student-athlete…Played in the PDL for the Central Florida Kraze in 2010.

 

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Returning players

Defenders and goalkeepers