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Menace Suffer Second Draw of Season Against Old Rivals

By Danny Kotula, 07/01/22, 9:00PM CDT

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The 2-2 result pushed Menace’s division title celebrations back, with Thunder Bay still in the running ahead of the final two weeks.

SHORT STORY

Even the best of teams have their off nights, and that night was an ill-timed one for Des Moines Menace as they drew 2-2 against Thunder Bay Chill Friday evening at Valley Stadium.

Thunder Bay keep their division title hopes alive with the draw, making Menace to wait for their Deep North Division-clinching moment.

FIRST HALF

In the first passage of play, everything went swimmingly for Menace in West Des Moines. 

An early burst of attacking quality led to a penalty inside of five minutes. Brandon Bermingham stepped up to the spot and stayed cool, making Eduardo D’Avino dive the wrong way for Thunder Bay.

No one could follow up his goal despite continued attacking efforts from the home side. In the end, a lack of clinical edge on crosses from Neville Morgan and corner kicks from Ryley Kraft came back to bite Menace on the stroke of halftime.

A 39th-minute equalizer came against the run of play for Chill, as Camden Kowalski fired in a right-side cross to striker Andrea De Vincenzi, who headed it past Menace keeper Grant Makela.

SECOND HALF (Menace 1 - 1 Chill at halftime)

Menace again came out with urgency, starting the second half with intensity in the attacking third that mirrored the first 45 minutes.

It would be Morgan to give Des Moines the goal they deserved, making a mesmerizing run down the left flank that saw him beat four defenders on the dribble. His finish from a tight angle nestled into the bottom right corner to help Menace ahead 2-1.

Again, though, lack of finishing edge left the home side susceptible to Thunder Bay’s effective counter attack.

A lull in play as Menace argued a free kick decision caught the back line off guard, allowing Austrian attacker Alexander Pecachek to capitalize, slotting home a close-range in the 80th minute of play.

Menace battered the Thunder Bay box with crosses, but none beat the solid defenders in blue.

After minutes of trying, Menace ran out of time to find the late winner, settling for a draw instead.

WHO’S WHO

Starting XI (3-4-1-2): Grant Makela, goalkeeper; Connor Langan, Zeron Sewell, Alfeu Bertini, defenders; Gianluca Fiorini, Neville Morgan, Lance Rozeboom, Jonas Büchte, Ryley Kraft, midfielders; Brayan Padilla, Brandon Bermingham, forwards. 

Bermingham grabbed his fourth goal of the campaign, tying Kraft and Alessandro Salvadego in that category.

Büchte made his third appearance on the year for Menace, appearing in the starting XI for the first time.

Rozeboom returned to Des Moines’ midfield in a home match for the first time in 17 years. The 34-year old made his third appearance for Menace in the USL2 regular season. 

KICKS AND GIGGLES

Menace keep their unbeaten streak running, now dating back 17 matches.

Ten of Thunder Bay's eleven saves came in the second half.

Menace's 16 corners were the most in a single match this season.

Neither team was flagged for offsides for the first time in a Menace match this season.

The draw is the second time Menace have dropped points this season. It also marks the first time they’ve done so at home.

Both draws for Menace this year came against Canadian opposition.

ON DECK

Menace have two more home games in which to earn the last point they need to clinch the Deep North Division title. July 9 will be their first opportunity to do so against St. Croix SC Legends. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Valley Stadium and can be streamed live on CISN via YouTube.

STATS

MENACE CHILL
Shots 23 5
Assists 0 1
Corners 16 3
Saves 5 11
Fouls 8 5
Offside 0 0
Yellow cards 2 2
Red cards 0 0