Des Moines Menace face historic game

Des Moines Menace coach Casey Mann calls it the biggest match in the history of the franchise as they get set to host the Charleston Battery tonight, a professional team out of the USL’s First Division. It is the second round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup which allows amateur teams like the Menace to qualify and take on the pros. Mann uses baseball as an example of the opportunity the Menace have. He says in the first round they beat what would be considered a double-A team and now face what would be a triple-A team. Mann says with two more wins the Menace would likely play a Major League Soccer team. Mann says there’s only been one other time in franchise history when they played in the cup competition. Mann says the players look forward to the chance to prove themselves against a team from the pro ranks. Mann hopes the home field advantage offsets the advantage Charleston has in experience. The Battery are just one-six-and two on the road and are coming off a three game road trip last week which included two games in Canada.Tonight’s match will be played at Waukee High School Stadium.