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Des Moines, IA Ranked fourth in the nation in soccer participation per capita, Des Moines may not be the biggest soccer town, but it is working hard to be one of the best. Over the last twenty years clubs have sprung up across Iowa's urban areas and even now are spreading into the smaller rural towns. You would be hard pressed to visit a public place on a Saturday in the spring or fall and not run into several youth sporting jerseys and shin guards. While a trip to Des Moines for the Menace alone isn't a bad idea, there is plenty more to see and do in one of the most underestimated towns in the Midwest. If sports are your thing, be sure to look up the Iowa Cubs schedule and take in a game at beautiful Sec Taylor Stadium. While you're downtown, check out the Botanical Center, the Historical Building or the nightlife on Court Avenue. If you're heading out rather than in at the crack of dawn, be sure to visit the Saturday morning farmer's market that runs between May and October. Are you bringing the family? Blank Park Zoo, the Science Center, and Living History Farms are all perfect choices for a half-day adventure. There are also a half-dozen or more public golf courses, several public pools, and parks that run the gamut from playgrounds alone to beaches, bike trails, and lakes. Des Moines Menace Over the last several years, the club has brought in international opponents including the Guadalajara Chivas Reserves and the Bermuda National Team. In addition, plans are on the table for a unique partnership with a European club that would bring even more international flavor to the Des Moines soccer scene. Krause has also led the drive to create a European-style cradle-to-grave soccer club in Central Iowa. Launched in 2001, the Menace Academy (MA) offers both recreational and competitive soccer to youth players of all ages. The MA also claims Super Y-League teams in several divisions. With over 200 youths currently on the competitive rosters, Academy growth has supported Krause's belief that Iowa is ready for soccer on a grander scale. Fan, community, and corporate support are so great here that the Menace have successfully launched plans for a soccer-specific stadium -- one of only a few nationwide! Fundraising is well underway for the new facility, which is scheduled to open in May 2004. Liberty Bank Stadium will feature state-of-the-art turf, club seating, a traditional pub, and as many as 30 corporate suites, almost all of which are already spoken for. Cara McGrane Stadium Capacity: 4,000+ Colors: Red, White and Black Honors: In 2002, the Menace broke their own Premier Development League single-game and season attendance records with a one-game high of 6,312 and nearly 40,000 tickets sold over the course of a 9-game home season (average per game: 4,401). The team went undefeated in the regular season, secured the Heartland Division Championship, sported the League's Coach of the Year, Laurie Calloway, and fielded the PDL points leader, Tomas Boltnar (24 goals, 11 assists and 59 points). For the first time ever, the Menace also qualified for the U.S. Open Cup, and advanced to the second round after defeating the D3-Pro New Jersey Stallions. The club was knocked out of the tournament after losing an overtime heartbreaker in New York to A-League power, the Rochester Rhinos. Previous seasons were also impressive. In 2001, the club hosted the PDL Championships and secured national television coverage for the final match on Fox Sports World. During the 2000 season, the Menace received the PDL's Marketing Excellence Award and was runner-up for franchise of the year. Directions: From the South or West: As you are traveling North on I-35 or East on I-80, take the 35/80 Des Moines bypass. Take the Merle Hay Road Exit (#131) and turn right at the bottom of the ramp (south). Travel south on Merle Hay Road for one mile to the Aurora Avenue intersection. Turn left (east) on Aurora and travel one half mile. Cara McGrane Stadium is on the right at the corner of 50th and Aurora. From the North or East: As you are traveling south on I-35 or west on I-80, take the 35/80 Des Moines bypass. Take the Merle Hay Road Exit (#131) and turn left at the bottom of the ramp (south). Travel south on Merle Hay Road for one mile to the Aurora Avenue intersection. Turn left (east) on Aurora and travel one half mile. Cara McGrane Stadium is on the right at the corner of 50th and Aurora. From the Airport: As you exit the parking lot, turn right (south) on Fleur Drive. Take Fleur one and a half miles south, and then turn right (west) onto Highway 5. Stay on Highway 5 for approximately 8 miles, until you reach the junction with Interstate 35. Take I-35 northbound and follow the I-35/80 Des Moines bypass. Take the Merle Hay Road Exit (#131) and turn right at the bottom of the ramp (south). Travel south on Merle Hay Road for one mile to the Aurora Avenue intersection. Turn left (east) on Aurora and travel a half-mile. Cara McGrane Stadium is on the right at the corner of 50th and Aurora. Tickets: Tickets are generally still available at the gate on game day, however it will cut down on time in line to have them in-hand or waiting for you at will-call. Other than the VIP tables, which are located just off the touchline, all tickets are general admission. All ticket prices are current through the end of the 2003 season, and are available online (www.menacesoccer.com), by phone (515-226-9890) or at the gate. Season tickets include all 9 regular season home games along with three extra matches (exhibitions, Open Cup, playoffs, etc.). Half-season tickets include 5 regular season home games and one extra match. Youth tickets are available to children age 12 and under. Ticket prices are as follows: General Admission Youth Season Tickets, $40; General Admission Adult Season Tickets, $75; VIP Table Season Tickets for four, $600; General Admission Youth Half-Season Tickets, $25; General Admission Adult Half-Season Tickets, $40; General Admission Youth Single-Game Tickets, $5; General Admission Adult Single-Game Tickets, $8. Refreshers: All the standards are available, of course, from popcorn and nachos to candy bars and pop. Fans who need a "real meal" can head to the outdoor grill for a freshly cooked hotdog or brat, or grab a piece of pizza. For the perfect finish on a hot Iowa night, snow cones are available in virtually any flavor imaginable. Club Merchandise: The club sells a wide range of merchandise -- everything from jerseys, t-shirts, and sweatshirts to water bottles and logo soccer balls. Once or twice a year, the team auctions off the players' jerseys and donates the proceeds to one of the Foundations associated with the club. The Menace also sells personalized engraved bricks that will be used in the construction of the team’s new soccer-specific stadium. Merchandise is available for purchase online at www.menacesoccer.com. Fan Culture: Print and Web Coverage: The new Menace Web Site, launched at the end of November 2002, features team and game highlights, an online store, registration for camps and clinics, and a fan zone with special pages just for the kids. Visit the Menace online at www.menacesoccer.com. For information on the team’s new soccer-specific stadium, visit the Stadium Foundation Web Site at www.buildthestadium.org. The Des Moines Register has consistent pre and post-game coverage along with several features over the course of the season. Check out its online section devoted to the Menace at http://DesMoinesRegister.com/sports/menace/index.html. Around Town Restaurants North End Diner Felix and Oscar’s There are also plenty of fast food options on the Merle Hay strip and chain restaurants including Applebee’s, Baker’s Square, Bennigan’s and Perkin’s. Further away, but still close: Palmer’s Deli Buca Di Beppo Mondos Accommodations Four Points Sheraton North Stoney Creek Inn West Des Moines Marriott Downtown: Hotel Fort Des Moines Renaissance Savery Hotel Embassy Suites |