With their impressive performance, the Des Moines Menace showcased their offensive prowess and solidified their position in the league standings after their win against River Light FC.

The Menace started strong with an early opportunity in the 3rd minute when a cross from Marco Manduzio found Ze Cunha in the River Light 6-yard box, but he mistimed his swing, missing the chance to score.

The following 30 minutes saw little action for either side as both teams struggled to maintain solid possession in the final third. The game was characterized by tight defenses and midfield battles, neither team able to break through.

Finally, in the 33rd minute, the Menace were given a golden opportunity. A precise cross from Manduzio to the River Light 18-yard box found Cunha, who struck it first time, curling it beautifully into the top left corner. The River Light keeper had no chance. The Menace took a deserved 1-0 lead.

The start of the second half continued in a similar chaotic fashion, with both teams struggling to create any real chances at goal. The midfield remained congested, and clear opportunities were hard to come by.

The first real chance of the second half came for the Menace in the 53rd minute. A well-placed free kick from the corner of the River Light 18 was taken by Felipe D’Agostini, who found Kyle Owen at the back post. Owen made no mistake, heading the ball powerfully into the back of the net to double the Menace's lead, 2-0.

The next significant opportunity for the Menace came in the 62nd minute during a swift counterattack. D’Agostini found an opening on the River Light 18 and unleashed a shot towards the near post, forcing the keeper to make an uncomfortable save and put the ball out for a corner.

D’Agostini was involved again in the 70th minute, as his close-range strike forced River Light to concede yet another corner. The Menace were relentless in their attacks.

In an unexpected turn of events, a bouncing ball played back to an under-pressure Carlos saw him clear the ball with power, aiming to give the Menace some breathing room. His clearance, carried by the wind, astonishingly found its way over the River Light keeper and into the back of the net from over 50 yards out. An unbelievable goal that extended the Menace lead to 3-0.

River Light's first good chance came in the 76th minute when they were awarded a penalty. They calmly slotted it away, giving River Light their first goal of the game. The score was now 3-1 in favor of the Menace.

Only minutes later, a beautifully chipped through ball from Robbie Mora found Ezekiel Padilla behind the River Light defenders. Padilla struck it first time, his shot perfectly chipping the River Light goalkeeper and bouncing into the net to seal the victory. The Menace win 4-1.

The Menace secured the 3 points and found redemption against River Light, who they previously lost 1-0 to at the beginning of the season. 

The Menace will be on the road for their next two matches, against St. Charles FC on July 2nd and Peoria City FC on July 6th. Both pivotal matches in the race for playoff spots and to capture the Heartland Division title.