Prestige Cup - Round of 16 - Leg 1

Des Moines Menace at Richmond Kickers

The power of Rainbow Feint is apparent again. At the end of a scoreless first half, we intercept in the midfield and get the ball to Galloway in front of the keeper. He would have no hope scoring against this keeper with a normal shot, but Rainbow Feint gives him even chances and he succeeds again to put us up 1-0! Richod pile on the pressure and manage 6 shots on goal. They finally break through late in the match when our defense falls asleep and fails to stop a low percentage shot. We hold on for the draw.

Final: Des Moines 1, Richmond 1
Goal: Galloway
Top Three: Hensley, Beverly, Galloway

Prestige Cup - Round of 16 - Leg 2

Des Moines Menace at Richmond Kickers

We only get 1 shot on goal in this one and it's another Rainbow Feint attempt by Galloway, but this one fails. No worries, because a scoreless draw is all we need, so I take fewer chances than usual. Richmond puts the pressure on and it gets really dicey late as they get a few good shots off. They earn a corner on the last turn of the game and get the ball to their striker all alone in front of the keeper, but Pressley makes a heroic stop to preserve the draw and we advance (based on away goals tiebreaker)!

Final: Des Moines 0, Richmond 0
Goal: None
Top Three: Pressley, Beverly, Edmonds

Beverly - lvl 29

Nice! Tons of delicious XP in Cup Games so your guys level up faster. Good luck in the Quarterfinals.

Winter break activities...

*My youth pull is a lvl 22 player. That's my best one yet. Unfortunately, it's a Keeper, the last thing I need. Also, despite being a higher level at the time of his pull, he's not as good as Pressley because his attributes are terribly distributed (An unnecessary 17 in accuracy). He'll be a backup in case PRessley gets hurt and I may throw him into the defensive line a few times to build up some XP.

*I buy a couple backup midfielders, but there's no one else I like on the transfer list.

*I pay $40,000 to look at the foreign transfer list. It takes 7 days to receive this list, so I hold off on future transactions until after my next match.

Here's the contract screen. That value is how much I would get if I sold them. Here are a few important notes...

*You can't renew or sell anyone who is 34 yrs or older.

*You can't renew anyone until they have less than a year left on their contract.

*So if I decide to keep Edmonds until he's 36, I wouldn't want to renew him for several years now, because then I won't be able to renew him again when he hits 33.

*You can see my dilemma with defenders as 4 of my starters are getting up there in age. Ideally, I would like to space out selling them and putting a younger guy in their place. If I do it all at once, it will destroy my formidable defensive line.

League table at the midway point...

Des Moines Menace (3-7-1, 6th) at Nashville SC (8-2-1, 2nd)

Midway through the first half, Nashville connects on a long range power shot (due to a series of bad rolls by my defenders and keeper). We desperately try to equalize and hit a couple good crosses, but McCullough and Galloway can't head them home. In the 2nd half, Galloway has great position to equalize late, but Hensley can't get the pass to him.

Final: Nashville 1, Des Moines 0
Goal: None
Top Three: Huffman, Hensley, McCullough

Huffman - lvl 32
Guy - lvl 26

Prestige Cup - Quarterfinals - Leg 1

Des Moines Menace at Wilmington

Only a few days in between matches during this cup run, so I have to sit Hensley. We get a series of awful rolls (a 2 and a 1 on two cross passes, a 3 of 81 on a pass that would've given us a one on one situation). Late in the game, they get a great counterattack going and find a guy all alone in the penalty. He beats Pressley and they go on to win.

Final: Wilmington 1, Des Moines 0
Goal: None
Top Three: Seals, Epperson, Edmonds

Edmonds - lvl 32

Since Edmonds just popped, it's time to make the following moves..

*I sell Edmonds for $182,000. It will be sad to see him go. He's played 89 matches for us and has 66 career tackles. I only bought him for $3,400 and renewed him for $5,769.

*I buy Universal Defender named Christy off the global list. He costs $288,129 and 12 glory. He's only 23 and already level 34, so solves some of my age issues and doesn't cost me much in performance. Plus he will be worth a fortune after a season with us, especially when he learns a skill.

*I extend Seals for 3 yrs, $4,731.

*I extend Epperson for 1 yr, $14,700.

*I sell a few backups for a few thousand each. This leaves me with $96,745. A somewhat precarious financial position, but I have lots of players with value that I can sell next offseason. I just hope I can get luckier with transfer lists/youth pulls.

Chattanooga FC (5-1-6, 7th) at Des Moines Menace (3-7-2, 6th)

Another frustrating match similar to the last few we've had. They go up early on a shot that should've been stopped. Then McCullough can't convert despite having 5 shots on goal. One of them was a really good strike that the keeper made a great save on. Shrug.

Final: Chattanooga 1, Des Moines 0
Goal: None
Top Three: Arias, Seals, Christy

Epperson - lvl 31
Seals - lvl 22

Des Moines Menace (3-7-3, 7th) at Wilmington (4-1-8, 9th)

Early in the match, they're able to get around my defense and fire a cannon shot. So once again, we're doing everything we can to equalize. McCullough misses the only 2 shots he gets and Hensley gets injured. Our prospects of avoiding relegation are looking pretty dire at the moment.

Final: Wilmington 1, Des Moines 0
Goal: None
Top Three: Pressley, Arias, Huffman

Epperson - lvl 31
Seals - lvl 22

K-W United FC (7-4-3, 3rd) at Des Moines Menace (3-7-4, 7th)

It's another back and forth boring affair, but late in the first half we're able to launch a counterattack and get the ball to McCullough in great position. He's denied, but we win the corner. Epperson sends a great cross in that Galloway is able to head home. We hold the lead until late in the first half when K-W equalizes on a power shot from just outside the box. On the ensuing kickoff, we get the ball to Epperson, who sends in a cross that is deflected, but we win another corner. This time, McCullough finds the pass and heads it home for the winner! This was a much needed victory.

Final: Des Moines 2, K-W United 1
Goal: Galloway, McCullough
Top Three: Seals, Galloway, McCullough

Still - lvl 26
Arias - lvl 23


With 7 matches to go, here's the relegation race

Des Moines - 19
Wilmington - 17
Reno 1868 - 16
---------------
San Antonio FC - 16
Clarkston SC - 10
FC Tucson - 5

Prestige Cup - Quarterfinals - Leg 2

Wilmington at Des Moines

The first half is a boring defensive slugfest. We badly need to score a goal to keep our hopes alive. Things look up when we intercept a pass at midfield and get the ball to Galloway right in front of the keeper. He scores on a Rainbow Feint to put us ahead! We get another chance when Epperson has crossing position, but their defender gets in the way of the cross. Time expires and we head to penalties!

They score. 0-1
We score. 1-1
They score. 1-2
We miss. 1-2
They miss. 1-2
We score. 2-2
They miss! 2-2
We miss. 2-2
They score. 2-3
We score. 3-3
They miss! 3-3
With a chance to win, we miss! 3-3
They score. 3-4
We score. 4-4
They score. 4-5
We miss! Nooooooo!


Final: Wilmington 1 (5), Des Moines 1 (4)
Goal: Galloway
Top Three: Hensley, Galloway, Pressley

Guy - lvl 27
Galloway - lvl 25

Ugh penalties... great run you had to get that far however. Now you can focus on staying up.

Des Moines Menace (4-7-4, 7th) at Reno 1868 FC (4-4-7, 9th)

A tactical blunder on my part lets Reno get the ball to a Forward right in front of our keeper. He uses Rainbow Feint to score the goal. Luckily, we're able to get the ball to Epperson on the flank. He sends in a cross pass and a motivated McCullough scores with a bicycle kick! We stop the next Reno attack and get it to McCullough on the counterattack. He scores a very difficult shot to put us ahead. We shut them down the rest of the way to secure the victory.

Final: Des Moines 2, Reno 1
Goal: McCullough 2
Top Three: Hensley, Galloway, Pressley

Beverly - lvl 30
Pressley - lvl 24

Relegation fight...

Des Moines - 22
Wilmington - 20
San Antonio FC - 19
-------------------
Reno 1868 FC - 16
Clarkston SC - 10
FC Tucson - 5

San Antonio FC (5-4-7, 9th) at Des Moines Menace (5-7-4, 7th)

They have an attacking Winger who really disrupts our defensive line. This allows him to get the ball in close range a nail a power shot to put San Antonio ahead. We struggle to get much going for the first half. The 2nd half is a different story. I utilize my team's aerial skills and we score early in the 2nd half on a cross pass from Epperson which Galloway heads in. With time running out, McCullough gets an amazing pass from Hensley and has the ball in front of the keeper. He's denied, but once again wins a corner. He gets great position on the corner and scores with another bicycle kick to win the game!

Final: Des Moines 2, San Antonio 1
Goal: Galloway, McCullough
Top Three: Hensley, McCullough, Galloway

Hensley - lvl 29

We have moved up to 5th in the standings and have an 8 pt lead on the final relegation spot with 5 matches to go. We're actually closer to promotion (4 pts) than relegation!

Yeah, that's always a tough way to lose. I do wish they'd revamp the penalty system a little bit instead of the complete randomness of it now.

Tulsa Roughnecks (6-6-5, 7th) at Des Moines Menace (5-7-4, 5th)

Our aerial game is on point again. On our first possession, McCullough once again gets in great position to head a cross home. A dirty play (from our former player Lance!) injures Epperson and he will be out for a month. We also have to substitute McCullough at halftime because he's winded. Despite this, our defense holds on for the victory.

Final: Des Moines 1, Tulsa 0
Goal: McCullough
Top Three: McCullough, Huffman, Still

Huffman - lvl 33
Guy - lvl 28

We are now only 1 pt away from promotion!

Des Moines Menace (6-7-4, 4th) at FC Tucson (1-3-14, 12th)

What in the world? FC Tucson is by far the worst team in the league. Yet somehow they find a way to beat our keeper twice, once in the first half and another time midway through the 2nd half. Meanwhile, their keeper is absurdly bad (7 defense!) and yet only one of our three shots gets to him. It beats him, but far too late for us to mount a comeback.

Final: FC Tucson 2, Des Moines 1
Goal: Galloway
Top Three: Galloway, Huffman, Arias

FC Montreal (13-4-2, 2nd) at Des Moines Menace (6-7-5, 5th)

What a snoozer. Both teams manage 3 shots combined throughout the match. Both of them actually get to Pressley and he has to make the save. Without Hensley or Epperson in the lineup, we fail to connect on passes that put our Forwards in good position. Still, I'll take a draw against this team.

Final: FC Montreal 0, Des Moines 0
Goal: None
Top Three: Beverly, Pressley, Seals

Still - lvl 27

*We have a 5 pt lead on 10th place. A win in either of our matches or if we draw both means we will stay up.

Des Moines Menace (7-8-5, 5th) at Clarkstown SC Eagles (4-1-15, 11th)

Another team with a terrible Keeper and this time we can take advantage. Instead of working the ball into the box, I let McCullough fire away from range. He scores midway through the 1st half and early in the 2nd half. Clarkstown takes one back as we get a little lazy late in the match, but they don't threaten again.

Final: Des Moines 2, Clarkstown 1
Goal: McCullough 2
Top Three: Beverly, McCullough, Hensley

McCullough - lvl 34

We did what we needed to do to avoid relegation and actually have an outside chance to promote.

K-W United 35 (+3 GD)
------------
Chattanooga FC 34 (+5 GD)
Des Moines Menace 32 (+2 GD)

So we need K-W United and Chattanooga to lose and for us to win. If Chattanooga ties, then we're done because they'll kill us on the total goals tiebreaker.

Phoenix Rising FC (10-1-10, 6th) at Des Moines Menace (8-8-5, 5th)

McCullough opens the game with another header that goes in for an early lead. We hold this lead until early int he 2nd half, when a penalty in the box lets them equalize. On the next possession, we win a corner and McCullough gets displaced, but Galloway comes through the score. I almost make a huge blunder late in the game as I attempt a tackle in my final 3 turns. This gave them a free kick and allowed a pretty decent shot on goal to tie it, but Pressley comes away with the save.

Final: Des Moines 2, Phoenix 1
Goal: McCullough, Galloway
Top Three: Hensley, Galloway, McCullough

Christy - lvl 35
Beverly - lvl 31
Guy - lvl 29
Arias - lvl 24

Final Third League Standings...



Notes:

*Definitely a stark contrast between the two half seasons. We were 3-7-1 with 5 GF and 4 GA at midseason. Since then, we went 6-1-4 with 12 GF and 10 GA. Perfecting the aerial game was key to getting us on the board more.

*Pressley led the league with 22 saves. (2nd was 16).

*McCullough tied for 4th with 12 goals.

*Epperson tied for 4th with 7 assists.

*Hensley tied for 10th with 4 assists.

Offseason moves...

*I select Entropy as the sponsor. They will pay $333 for each goal and $700 for each win.

*I improve the Defender coach. Defenders will now get 180% bonus XP.

*I get my best youth pull yet! Reese is a 19 yr old, lvl 24 Central Defender with 45 defense.

*It's time to say goodbye to Hensley. He's 30 yrs old and worth $254,000. I originally bought him for $48,500. He's played 95 matches with us and has 75 tackles and 14 assists.

*I have to sell either Beverly or Huffman. I go with Beverly because Huffman is learning a lvl 2 skill, which will make his price explode. I bought Beverly for $6,806, paid $11,300 to renew him, and now sell him for $141,000.

*I renew Guy for 3 yrs, $47,577. He's only 20, so this was a no brainer.

*I renew Christy for 3 yrs, $105,360. He's only 23 and already lvl 35.

*I buy Pennington for $190,000. He's a lvl 37 Universal Forward, with 62 Accuracy and 34 Control. The guy I've been trying to find forever.

*I extend Galloway for 1 yr, 5,740. I'll still need a backup striker and Whittington isn't good enough.

*I renew backup midfielders Norton (who is about to learn Olympic Kick) and Adams for a few thousand each.

*This leaves me with $143, 495 and 4 contract renewals coming up during the next window. (Pressley, Epperson, Still, Pennington).

Here's our squad heading into the new season...

Des Moines Menace (0-0-0) at Sonoma County Sol (0-0-0)

There was some promise in this game as we had good chances throughout. But it's still frustrating to have so much difficulty finding the net, and against a team we shouldn't have much trouble against. Pennington misses each of his shots on his debut and we almost give away the match until Pressley makes a huge save.

Final: Des Moines 0, Sonoma 0
Goal: None
Top Three: Huffman, Still, Seals

Real Monarchs (1-0-0, 3rd) at Des Moines Menace (0-1-0, 7th)


We go down early on a shot from outside the box that should've been stopped. Pennington is still struggling to show he was worth that contract. We finally break through in the 2nd half when Still is able to use his counterattack ability to get the ball to Arias, who got it to McCullough in the middle of the box, who then put away the equalizer.

Final: Des Moines 1, Real Monarchs 1
Goal: McCullough
Top Three: Huffman, McCullough, Epperson

Huffman - lvl 34
Pressley - lvl 25

Des Moines Menace (0-2-0, 8th) at Reno 1868 FC (1-0-1, 4th)

Starting off similar as the beginning of last season. People can't score goals off of us and we can't score off of them. Pennington actually gets into the top three with his defensive play, stealing the ball in the opponent's side of the field, but he still can't find a goal.

Final: Des Moines 0, Reno 0
Goals: None
Top Three: Huffman, Pennington, Norton

Reese - lvl 25

Albion SC Pros (1-0-2, 9th) at Des Moines Menace (0-3-0, 8th)

Well, this is the explosion I've been waiting for. Albion is not a very good team and I take advantage of some of their defensive lapses. Pennington finally gets on the board on the first possession of the game. Midway through the first half, McCullough adds to the lead. I rest a tired Pennington and bring in my youngster Whittington, who hasn't played much recently. His Nutmeg skill is put to perfect use against Albion's defense and he adds two 2nd half goals.

Final: Des Moines 4, Albion 0
Goals: Whittington 2, McCullough, Pennington
Top Three: Whittington, Reese, Epperson

Still - lvl 28

Bethlehem Steel (2-1-1, 4th) at Des Moines Menace (1-3-0, 5th)

And then we revert back to typical form. McCullough and Pennington can't find the net. It's looking like a scoreless draw until late int he 2nd half when they use a long pass ability to get the ball behind our defense. Then they use Rainbow Feint to get by Pressley. We have time to equalize, but Epperson has his pass intercepted by a poor defender and we run out of time.

Final: Bethlehem 1, Des Moines 0
Goal: None
Top Three: Epperson, Guy, McCullough

Guy - lvl 30

Des Moines Menace (1-3-1, 7th) at Saint Louis FC (2-1-2, 5th)

Saint Louis is just too godo for us to have a chance against. They score their first goal early on when their wingeris able to dribble past our defense and score a power shot against Pressley. They score their next two goals because they have a Forward with a level 3 Rainbow Feint skill, which we have no hope of stopping. The 1 shot we get on goal the entire match is a low percentage attempt by Pennington that doesn't even sniff the keeper.

Final: St. Louis 3, Des Moines 0
Goal: None
Top Three: Epperson, Pennington, Guy

Wilmington (2-2-2, 6th) at Des Moines Menace (1-3-2, 8th)

Pretty much the same story as recent matches. Pennington misses all three of his shots on goal and they manage to penetrate us with a Rainbow Feint. We have a chance late in the game to get the ball right in front of the keeper, but Arias hits a terrible pass (rolled a 2).

Final: Wilmington 1, Des Moines 0
Goal: None
Top Three: Epperson, Huffman, Pennington

Des Moines Menace (1-3-3, 8th) at Pittsburgh Riverhounds (6-0-1, 1st)

I bench Pennington and put Galloway back in to focus on our aerial game. This pays off early in the 2nd half when we win a corner and McCullough heads it home. Later in the 2nd half, we take advantage of a disruption in their defensive line and Galloway gets the ball one on one with the keeper and beats him. A much needed victory against a team that had been dominating the league.

Final: Des Moines 2, Pittsburgh 0
Goal: McCullough, Galloway
Top Three: McCullough, Galloway, Huffman

Epperson - lvl 32
Galloway - lvl 26
Reese - lvl 26

Chattannooga FC (1-3-4, 9th) at Des Moines Menace (2-3-3, 7th)

I put Pennington back in, but once again it's McCullough's heading ability that leads us to victory. We win an early corner and he scores on a bicycle kick. We struggle to get a good offensive shot the rest of the match, but our defense shuts down Chattanooga.

Final: Des Moines 1, Chattanooga 0
Goal: McCullough
Top Three: Christy, McCullough, Reese

Christy - lvl 36
Still - lvl 29

I have this game and have only played a little because every game ended at 0-0 for me. For the life of me I can't figure out the gameplay of the actual games and I'm left frustrated.

Does anyone have recommendations for youtube videos showing how to actually play the matches? I looked and the first video I saw basically had the same reaction I did - the 3 turns kills me - the defenders never move from the goal, so if I try a shot I'm too far out, with too many defenders and rinse, lather, repeat.

I had the same issue finding a good video, because most were people playing for the first time. I had to learn most of what I could from the tutorial and just figuring it out as I go.

What I can say is that you might want to consider not always trying to score in 3 turns. Sometimes you can get it to a midfielder with high control and hold the ball up. If you start the next turn at midfield, you'll have a chance to get your Forwards in good position.

Also, sometimes moving your forwards against the defense can be a good idea even if they get stripped. Because when they do, the defense loses its structure and when you win the ball back, you have a better position.

The Steam community can be helpful, too. This guide was very helpful to me in learning how to succeed with crosses.

Des Moines Menace (3-3-3, 8th) at San Antonio FC (7-1-1, 2nd)

We have a rough first half in which every tackle attempt creates a yellow card or a penalty, meaning many of the turns are used up on free kicks. One of the tackles leads to a late 1st half penalty, which they convert for the lead. However, I'm immediately able to equalize when Pennington is able to dribble to the left side of the defense and convert the shot. In the 2nd half, I continue the same strategy of getting the ball to my forwards and forcing their defense to come out of position for the tackle. Because of this, an Arias interception and pass leave McCullough all alone in front of the goal. He converts for the lead. San Antonio wins a late corner, but we defend it.

Final: Des Moines 2, San Antonio 1
Goals: Pennington, McCullough
Top Three: Arias, Epperson, Pennington

Huffman - lvl 35
Guy - lvl 31
Arias - lvl 25

Phoenix Rising FC (4-3-3, 5th) at Des Moines Menace (4-3-3, 6th)

I utilize Pennington's mobility to get him on the flanks, where he has a one on one shot against the keeper from distance. These are low percentage shots but with no defenders in the line, increases the chances for a corner. And on corners, we are deadly. Pennington successfully executes this twice in the 1st half and we score on both corners, one header by McCullough and on a bicycle kick by Pennington. We're unable to get anything going in the 2nd half, but neither is Phoenix.

Final: Des Moines 2, Phoenix 0
Goals: Pennington, McCullough
Top Three: Epperson, Reese, McCullough

Reese - lvl 27
Pressley - lvl 26
Seals - lvl 24

Prestige Cup - Round of 32 - Leg 1

Des Moines Menace at Pittsburgh Riverhounds

On a rainy field, it's hard to get our aerial game going. Pennington is denied a couple times from the flanks, but can't win a corner. Pittsburgh scores midway through the 2nd half on a power shot that should've been stopped. We have a great chance late in the game when Mccullough gets the ball in excellent position, but the keeper makes a great stop to deny him.

Final: Pittsburgh 1, Des Moines 0
Goals: None
Top Three: Epperson, Reese, Pressley

Prestige Cup - Round of 32 - Leg 1

Pittsburgh Riverhounds at Des Moines Menace

Another rainy day. We only manage two shots on goal the entire match. One of them came at the very end when Pennington gets a great shot after a free kick, but he is denied on the last turn of the game. After a great cup run last season, we are out early this year.

Final: Pittsburgh 0 (1), Des Moines 0 (0)
Goals: None
Top Three: Guy, Epperson, Arias

McCullough - lvl 35
Guy - lvl 32 (only 20 yrs old!)
Still - lvl 30

Winter break activities...

*We get a great youth pull in lvl 22 Defensive Midfielder Arroyo. From what I hear, Defensive Midfielders are essential to the late game. They can intercept passes coming within 2 tiles of them.

*We buy CD Grubbs for only $21,600. He has 51 defense and can replace our aging CD Huffman.

*I sell Huffman for $183,000. He was a valuable player for us, but at 32 it was time to go.

*I renew Pressley for 3 yrs, $18,557. A bargain if you ask me.

*I renew Reese for 3 yrs, $28,229. Only 19 yrs old, so a no brainer.

*Still is also 32, but there's no one to replace him with yet. SO I renew him for 1 year, $14,659. He'll either be sold then, or I'll renew him for 3 yrs so he can retire with us at 36.

*I sell Galloway for $88,000. He was useful for headers, but not much else. His Rainbow Feint skill was of limited use because of his low Control. He would often get stripped right after using it.

*Epperson is too valuable to let go yet, so I renew him for 3 yrs, $75,669.

*I renew Pennington for 3 yrs, $150,969. May seem like too much, but once he learns cannon shot, he'll be hard to stop. Also, there are no strikers on the horizon.

*I sell Seals for $113,000. I hate to get rid of a guy so young, but didn't envision him getting much playing time as I already have 2 young midfielders in Arias and Arroyo to go along with Epperson, plus some quality backups.

*This leaves me withh $215,547.

Midseason standings...

Sonoma County Sol (3-2-6, 9th) at Des Moines Menace (5-3-3, 5th)

Sonoma has been struggling so far this season, but they're the ones who bought our CD Huffman, who should make them better. Unfortunately for them, we're able to flank the other defenders and render him unable to help. Pennington converts a good chance early int he 1st half. He gets denied a dew more times in the match, but we tack on a late goal when McCullough grabs great position and nails a power shot. They had no hope against our defense. I can already tell that DM Arroyo is going to be a massive presence for us.

Final: Des Moines 2, Sonoma 0
Goals: McCullough, Pennington
Top Three: Epperson, Pennington, Arroyo

Pennington - lvl 38

Des Moines Menace (6-3-3, 5th) at Real Monarchs (9-2-1, 1st)

Pennington is injured from our last match, so we stick in Whittington. Our midfield and defense are strong enough to hold Real to 2 shots on goal for the game. Unfortunately, we only manage 1 shot for ourselves, a low percentage try that McCullough missed. Still, I'll take another draw against a team that has been destroying the Third League.

Final: Des Moines 0, Real Moncarchs 0
Goals:
Top Three: Epperson, Reese, Guy

Christy - lvl 37

Reno 1868 FC (2-3-8, 11th) at Des Moines Menace (6-4-3, 5th)

We beat up on Reno last time and do so again. They have a terrible keeper, so we just fire shots from a distance. Pennington connects on two and McCullough connects on another. Reno managed 4 shots on goal, but they were laughably bad. The bigger mystery is how they've managed to avoid a loss 5 times this season.

Final: Des Moines 3, Reno 0
Goals: Pennington 2, McCullough
Top Three: Reese, Pennington, Norton

Reese - lvl 28
Arroyo - lvl 23

Des Moines Menace (7-4-3, 4th) at Albion SC Pros (1-3-10, 12th)

We continue our run against the bottom of the ladder with an easy victory. McCullough scores on a long range precision shot midway through the first half. I sub him out at halftime, because I'm so unconcerned with Albion's pathetic attack. Whittington gets a chance to use his Nutmeg skill and scores midway through the 2nd half. We coast to victory.

Final: Des Moines 2, Albion 0
Goals: McCullough, Whittington
Top Three: Whittington, Arroyo, Epperson

Guy - lvl 33
Grubbs - lvl 26
Arias - lvl 26

We are in 3rd place (promotion) with 7 matches left!

Bethlehem Steel (7-3-5, 7th) at Des Moines Menace (8-4-3, 3rd)

We give up our first goal in weeks when a Forward with Rainbow Feint gets too close to the box. He uses it to beat Pressley late in the 1st half.. Luckily, the good control of our Forwards pays off when a foul just outside the penalty box leads to a free kick. McCullough nails it past the keeper for the equalizer just before the half. Whittington has a chance late in the 2nd half for the winner. I'm hoping he can at least win a corner, but the keeper knocks it back into the field of play and time runs out.

Final: Des Moines 1, Bethlehem 1
Goals: McCullough
Top Three: Epperson, McCullough, Pennington

Epperson - lvl 33
Still - lvl 31

Promotion race...

Real Monarchs - 33 (+9 GD)
St. Louis FC - 32 (+13)
Des Moines - 29 (+12)
---------------------------------
San Antonio FC - 29 (+7)
Pittsburgh Riverhounds - 29 (+4)
Bethlehem Steel - 25 (+5)
Phoenix Rising - 24 (+5)
Wilmington - 23 (+0)

St. Louis FC (10-2-4, 2nd) at Des Moines Menace (8-5-3, 3rd)

St. Louis has a Forward with a level 3 Rainbow Feint. What this means is he gets three rolls and only needs to be successful on one of them to fake his way past a defender and/or the keeper. Twice he gets past two defenders, but Pressley is able to beat him on all three rolls. Pennington scores on a power shot from the right side early on to give us a lead. This was the only shot on goal we'd get the entire match, but it was enough due to Pressley's heroic actions.

Final: Des Moines 1, St. Louis 0
Goals: Pennington
Top Three: Christy, Pennington, Pressley

Reese - lvl 29
Pressley - lvl 27

*We have moved up to 2nd as there is a 4 way tie with 32 pts but we have the best Goal Differential.

*I also earned enough glory to upgrade my defensive coach again. Defenders now get 230% extra XP.

Des Moines Menace (9-5-3, 2nd) at Wilmington (8-2-7, 7th)

We go down early due to yet another Rainbow Feint. But once again, we keep fighting and Norton gets the ball to McCullough in a one on one situation. McCullough's power shot beats the keeper for the equalizer just before the half. To open the 2nd half, Epperson gets the ball on the wing and sends in the cross, which McCullough is able to head home for the goal. Wilmington does not get another shot on goal and we come away with another comeback victory. The bad news is Pennington is out and will miss the next two (maybe three) matches.

Final: Des Moines 2, Wilmington 1
Goals: McCullough 2
Top Three: McCullough, Norton, Reese

Christy - lvl 38
Norton - lvl 18

4 matches to go and we are still in 2nd!

2. Des Moines 35 (+14)
3. Pittsburgh 35 (+10)
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4. St. Louis 33 (+12)
5. San Antonio 32 (+7)

Chattannooga FC (6-4-9, 9th) at Des Moines Menace (10-6-3, 2nd)

A frustrating game where we can't manage a single shot on goal. Without Pennington, I attempt an aerial strategy, but McCullough and Whittington can't connect with either of Whittington's crosses. Chattanooga has 4 shots on goal, which we easily stop until they win a corner on the final turn. Still comes up with the interception to preserve the draw.

Final: Des Moines 0, Chattanooga 0
Goal: None
Top Three: Guy, Norton, Pressley

*This draw caused us to drop to 4th, one spot out of promotion