Turn-based Soccer? A Football: Tactics and Glory Dynasty

[larrymcg421]

Prestige Cup: Round of 32: Leg 2 - FC Montreal at Des Moines Menace

I try the 5-4-1, but it doesn't work. Adams never gets a chance to use his skill. We do get two great chances when Pennington gets good position. On the first one, he shanked the shot. On the second one, the defender won the battle for the ball. Another early cup exit.

Final: Montreal 0 (1) , Des Moines 0 (0)
Goals:
Top Three: Arroyo, Pennington, Epperson

Crow - lvl 34
Shepard - lvl 23

[MizzouRah]

My squad has been doing well with the 4-1-3-2

[larrymcg421]

Winter Break activities...

*My youth pull is a lvl 25 defender named Stout. The problem is that he's a Sweeper, not much use to my defensive formation. I can re-train him, and so will wait to see if he's needed to fill in when I have to sell someone.*

*I renew 18 yr old Shepard for 3 yrs, $6,806.

*I sell CD Crow for $92,500.

*I buy DF Mayberry for $16,800.

*I'll have a huge decision to make during the next offseason. DF Guy is worth $633,000 and will be up for renewal. His price will be ridiculous.

*I pay $40,000 to look at the global list again. Hoping for a Forward.

[larrymcg421]

Midseason standings...

[larrymcg421]

Originally Posted by MizzouRah

My squad has been doing well with the 4-1-3-2

Yeah, mine is actually a 5-1-2-2. I kinda backed myself into a 5 defensive line formation because I started training up my defensive coaches and if I'm doing that, I should maximize the number of defenders I use.

[larrymcg421]

Reno 1868 FC (1-3-7, 12th) at Des Moines Menace (5-4-2, 4th)

Pennington scored late in the 1st half to give us all the cushion we need. Reno is terrible and it's a sign of how bad our offense is that we couldn't get a second goal. I try to get Ellison involved twice, but he misses and gets stripped. Reno's attacks are laughable against our D-line.

Final: Des Moines 1, Reno 0
Goal: Pennington
Top Three: Reese, Grubbs, Mayberry

[larrymcg421]

Des Moines Menace (6-4-2, 3rd) at FC Montreal (3-5-4, 8th)

It's actually Ellison who gets on the board this time. After a series of good shots where both he and Pennington were denied, but the rebounds kept coming back to them, Ellison finds himself all alone in front of the keeper and beats him with a power shot. We continue dominating the game and only allow one shot on goal.

Final: Des Moines 1, Montreal 0
Goal: Ellison
Top Three: Ellison, Still, Arroyo

Still - lvl 40

[larrymcg421]

Phoenix Rising FC (7-3-3, 4th) at Des Moines Menace (7-4-2, 3rd)

I do a poor tactical job of defending a direct free kick and Phoenix takes the early lead. Thankfully, PEnnington redeems me a bit by nailing a power shot right before halftime. We control 56% of possession, but can't connect on any more shots.

Final: Des Moines 1, Phoenix 1
Goal: Pennington
Top Three: Epperson, Grubbs, Pennington

Pressley - lvl 35

[larrymcg421]

Nashville SC (7-4-3, 4th) at Des Moines Menace (7-5-2, 3rd)

Pennington gets an early goal by penetrating their weird defensive line and firing a terrific shot. Nashville gets behind our D-line once, but Pressley is able to make a terrific stop. Most of the 2nd half is played on their half of the pitch. They get one last desperation shot, but Guy easily knocks it away.

Final: Des Moines 1, Nashville 0
Goal: Pennington
Top Three: Pennington, Grubbs, Guy

Guy - lvl 47
Grubbs - lvl 39
Mayberry - lvl 26

[larrymcg421]

Des Moines Menace (8-5-2, 3rd) at Real Monarchs (10-3-2, 1st)

I go for a slower offensive buildup in this one. Since none of their guys has the Slide Tackle skill, I utilize Epperson's great control to hold the ball up and move Pennington into great position. If Epperson survives all three turns, then he just has to make the pass to Pennington for an easy goal. We successfully execute this about 18 minutes in and then do it again right after the half. Real doesn't get a single shot on goal because we control 75% of possession.

Final: Des Moines 2, Real Monarchs 0
Goals: Pennington 2
Top Three: Pennington, Arroyo, Epperson

Arroyo - lvl 29

[larrymcg421]

Tulsa Roughnecks (4-3-9, 9th) Des Moines Menace (9-5-2, 3rd)

A winded Epperson has to sit out for this one, but we're still able to move Pennington into great position and he converts a goal 40 minutes in. Tulsa controls possession in this one, but can still only manage 2 shots on goal. We get a few chances to add to our lead, which we can't convert, but they never seriously threaten.

Final: Des Moines 1, Tulsa 0
Goals: Pennington 2
Top Three: Arroyo, Pennington, Shepard

Still - lvl 41
Reese - lvl 40
Adams - lvl 21

[larrymcg421]

Sonoma County Sol (8-4-5, 6th) at Des Moines Menace (10-5-2, 2nd)

It's Ellison who gets us on the board this time, when he finds position right by the keeper and receives a pass from Arroyo. He converts the easy shot. Because Pennington is a little winded and I'm confident in my defense, he takes a breather for the 2nd half and we send Whittington in. We shut down their two 2nd half shots and coast to victory.

Final: Des Moines 1, Sonoma 0
Goals: Ellison
Top Three: Epperson, Still, Ellison

Mayberry - lvl 27
Ellison - lvl 25

[larrymcg421]

San Antonio FC (11-3-4, 2nd) at Des Moines Menace (11-5-2, 1st)

Well, our run had to end at some time. They utilize a combination of skills to get behind our defense and beat Pressley with Cannon Shot. This happens twice and we're unable to take one back as Pennington has difficulty finding position and we have trouble getting him the ball when he does.

Final: San Antonio 2, Des Moines 0
Goals:
Top Three: Shepard, Pennington, Arroyo

[larrymcg421]

Des Moines Menace (11-5-3, 2nd) at Chattanooga FC (4-7-8, 9th)

We bounce back on the road with a solid performance. Ellison gets position right by the keeper and Epperson sends him a great pass. He converts for the lead 20 minutes in. Right after halftime, Pennington dribbles by a defender and nails the easy goal. Our d-line prevents any shots from getting to Pressley.

Final: Des Moines 2, Chattanooga 0
Goals: Ellison, Pennington
Top Three: Pennington, Arroyo, Epperson

Epperson - lvl 41
Grubbs - lvl 40
Shepard - lvl 24

*We need just 1 win in our last 2 matches to clinch promotion

[larrymcg421]

Des Moines Menace (12-5-3, 2nd) at AFC Cleveland (3-3-14, 11th)

I get a little too aggressive trying for an early counterattack and leave a big gap in my defense when the pass gets intercepted. This allows AFC Cleveland to get behind my line and use Rainbow Feint to take the lead. They carry this lead to halftime, but Pennington nails a difficult shot three minutes into the 2nd half for the equalizer. Pennington is very tired, but I leave him in to try and find that winner. And we do that at the 70 minute mark when Adams gets the ball off a throw in and uses his Long pass skill to get it to Pennington right by the keeper. Pennington converts the shot and sends us back to the Second League!

Final: Des Moines 2, Cleveland 1
Goal: Pennington 2
Top Three: Adams, Pennington, Arroyo

Pennington - lvl 46 (Group bonus and now has 86 Accuracy)
Arroyo - lvl 34 (Group bonus and now has 64 defense)
Mayberry - lvl 28

[larrymcg421]

Pittsburgh Riverhounds (6-0-15, 10th) at Des Moines Menace (13-5-3, 2nd)

With the league title at stake, I keep a winded Pennington in to try and give us the lead. This pays off 14 minutes in when he dribbles by a defender and nails a precision shot. I replace him and try to get some goals for Ellison and Whittington. Ellison converts one at the 68 minute mark after his Slide Tackle skill gives him an extra shot at the goal and he converts the opportunity. Pittsburgh actually takes one back when they win a penalty and make the shot, but we hold on for the victory.

Final: Des Moines 2, Pittsburgh 1
Goal: Pennington, Ellison
Top Three: Epperson, Ellison, Shepard

Reese - lvl 41

*San Antonio won to deny us the league title.

[larrymcg421]

Final standings...



*Pennington finished 2nd with 19 goals.

*Epperson finished 4th with 8 assists.

*Arroyo finished 3rd with 42 tackles.

*Pressley finished 7th with 12 saves.

Total Goals

Pennington - 19
Ellison - 5

Player of Match stats (based on how the AI awards the top three for each match: *** for top, ** for 2nd, * for 3rd)

Pennington - 32
Arroyo - 24
Epperson - 22
Grubbs - 16
Shepard - 16
Adams - 8
Guy - 7
Ellison - 7
Still - 4
Crow - 3
Reese - 3
Pressley - 1
Mayberry - 1

[larrymcg421]

The 2025-26 squad that earned us promotion back to the Second League

[larrymcg421]

Offseason activities...

*I select Vinchi as the new sponsor. They will pay $5,040 for each match and $7,540 for each victory.

*I spend glory to upgrade my defensive coach. They will now get 340% bonus XP. There's one more upgrade to fully develop him.

*My youth pull is a lvl 20 Amateur Forward named Cannon. Lvl 20 is the very worst I could get from the academy, but he does come with Rainbow Feint, which could prove useful.

*I extend Whittington for 1 yr, $947. Just to have a body.

*I sell Ellison for $136,000.

*I sell backup Goalie Muhammad for $6,795.

*I buy Carrier for $6,750. He's a lvl 16 Amateur Defender.

*I sell Mayberry for $43,400.

*I sell Adams for $17,640. He's been pretty useful in his backup spot for us, but he's 32 and I need the cash because...

*I renew Guy for 3 yrs, $377,715. He's the best player on my team and only 23 yrs old.

*I'm left with $3,919.

[larrymcg421]

My squad as we enter the 2026-27 campaign...



*Carrier is a downgrade from Mayberry, but we can survive a bit of a downgrade on the defense, and it was worth it to retain Guy.

*Cannon actually isn't much of a downgrade from Ellison. Despite his low Accuracy, his Rainbow Feint skill is very useful.

*Shepard will have Long Pass in 2 months, which will be extremely useful.

[larrymcg421]

OKC Energy FC (0-0-0) at Des Moines Menace (0-0-0)


Pennington gets us on the board early by penetrating their weird defensive formation and tucking away a precision shot. I try to get Cannon involved but their Wingbacks make it hard for him to use Rainbow Feint. I go back to Pennington and he adds to the lead early in the 2nd half. OKC Energy only attempts 1 shot on goal and Guy gets in the way of it.

Final: Des Moines 2, OKC Energy 0
Goals: Pennington 2
Top Three: Pennington, Epperson, Arroyo

Guy - lvl 48
Still - lvl 42
Carrier - lvl 17

[larrymcg421]

Des Moines Menace (1-0-0, 2nd) at Orange County Blues (0-1-0, 8th)

Against a really good squad that just came down from the First League, we have trouble scoring goals. We also have to survive some dicey situations because they have Wing Forwards who are able to flank our defensive line. Pressley makes several great stops, including denying a penalty shot late in the 2nd half. Despite their 64% possession, we came away with a solid draw.

Final: Des Moines 0, Orange County 0
Goal: None
Top Three: Pressley, Grubbs, Arroyo

Grubbs - lvl 41
Carrier - lvl 18

[larrymcg421]

Des Moines Menace (1-1-0, 4th) at Charleston Battery (2-0-0, 3rd)

Another squad whose defense is just too strong for us to overcome. Also, we're dealing with some depth issues and will probably have to sit some people out in the next match. It's a boring match overall as each squad only manages 1 shot on goal and neither one was close to going in.

Final: Des Moines 0, Charleston 0
Goal: None
Top Three: Arroyo, Grubbs, Epperson

[larrymcg421]

San Antonio FC (0-0-3, 13th) at Des Moines Menace (1-2-0, 4th)

San Antonio owned us twice last year on their way to the league title. This time, we dominate the match and don't allow them a single shot on goal. Unfortunately, we can't break through with a goal despite Pennington having two opportunities standing right in front of their keeper.

Final: Des Moines 0, San Antonio 0
Goal: None
Top Three: Arroyo, Epperson, Pennington

Carrier - lvl 19

[larrymcg421]

Des Moines Menace (1-3-0, 6th) at Atlanta United (2-1-1, 4th)

Atlanta United have fallen on tough times to be in the Second League. And this contest turned into a wild one. Pennington penetrates their defensive line and nails a power shot 4 minutes in. Just a few minutes later, Atlanta's wing forward comes in and earns a penalty when we try to tackle him in the penalty box. It's good. Pennington comes immediately back and connects from the exact same spot. Then we get a counterattack going and get the ball to Cannon, who uses his Rainbow Feint to success for his first goal ever! Atlanta doesn't give up and they penetrate our D-line midway through the 2nd half and score after getting good position on a corner. They keep piling on the pressure, but we hold on for a huge victory.

Final: Des Moines 3, Atlanta 2
Goal: Pennington 2, Cannon
Top Three: Grubbs, Pennington, Cannon

Lots of level-ups!

Still - lvl 43
Grubbs - lvl 42
Reese - lvl 42
Pressley - lvl 36
Shepard - lvl 25
Cannon - lvl 21
Carrier - lvl 20

[larrymcg421]

Des Moines Menace (2-3-0, 6th) at San Francisco Deltas (1-0-4, 14th)

After that brief slump where we went three straight matches without a goal, Pennington has been on fire. Here he gives us the lead 22 minutes in on a Power Shot when he got the ball in great position. Our defense easily shuts the Deltas down. We add to the lead when Pennington connects on a header that beats the keeper.

Final: Des Moines 2, San Francisco 0
Goal: Pennington 2
Top Three: Pennington, Still, Epperson

Guy - lvl 49
Carrier - lvl 21

[larrymcg421]

Des Moines Menace (3-3-0, 5th) at Phoenix Rising FC (1-1-4, 13th)

Pennington is winded, so I only put him in for a few minutes at the beginning of the 2nd half, so he can try to fire a good shot after a pass from the kickoff. He gets a decent one off, but the keeper blocks it. We have a chance to win it when Cannon gets a chance to use Rainbow Feint, but the keeper wins the battle. Pressley makes a great save at the close of the 1st half to preserve the draw.

Final: Des Moines 0, Phoenix 0
Goal:
Top Three: Epperson, Pressley, Arroyo

[larrymcg421]

Colorado Springs (3-0-4, 6th) at Des Moines Menace (3-4-0, 5th)

Have to get Pennington some rest, so I put in backup MF Qualls since he also has Rainbow Feint. This works out beautifully in the 36th minute when Shepard sends him a long pass behind the defense and he beats the keeper. That would be our only shot on goal, but it's all we needed as PRessley has a fantastic day, stopping 4 different shots, three of which were one on one.

Final: Des Moines 1, Colorado 0
Goal: Qualls
Top Three: Pressley, Grubbs, Shepard

Still - lvl 44
Grubbs - lvl 43
Reese - lvl 43
Carrier - lvl 22
Qualls - lvl 19

Final: Des Moines

[larrymcg421]

Ottawa Fury (3-0-5, 8th) at Des Moines Menace (4-4-0, 4th)

Pennington continues his hot streak by hitting a nice power shot past the keeper in the 42nd minute. He has a chance to add to this lead early in the 2nd half, but his shot is blocked by the keeper. However, this creates a corner. We get the ball to Cannon and his shot is successful. Ottawa only manages 1 shot on goal. Arroyo got hurt due to dirty play and will be out for 16 days.

Final: Des Moines 2, Ottawa 0
Goal: Pennington, Cannon
Top Three: Pressley, Grubbs, Shepard

[larrymcg421]

Des Moines Menace (5-4-0, 4th) at Richmond Kickers (3-2-4, 7th)

We have the B-team out for this one. Pennington is resting and Arroyo is sidelined. No worries, because I use the same strategy as before and put Qualls in at Forward. After a scoreless first half, we're finally able to get him the ball right by the keeper and he use Rainbow Feint to beat him. PRessley has another terrific game, with some very close saves.

Final: Des Moines 1, Richmond 0
Goal: Qualls
Top Three: Grubbs, Guy, Pressley

Grubbs - lvl 44
Carrier - lvl 24
Cannon - lvl 24
Whittington - lvl 21

[larrymcg421]

Des Moines Menace (6-4-0, 2nd) at Sacramento Republic (6-1-3, 6th)

Their keeper is really good, so even with Pennington back, I focus on the Rainbow Feint strategy and we execute it superbly late in the 1st half. A long pass from Grubbs to Shepard then to Qualls gets him the ball right in front of the keeper and he goes right by him for the easy score. We try to get Cannon involved off a corner, but he gets dislodged from his spot and the pass is intercepted. We have to survive a late minute threat from Sacramento, but they run out of time before they can get their last desperation shot off. Pressley has another terrific game stopping 4 shots from Sacramento.

Final: Des Moines 1, Sacramento 0
Goal: Qualls
Top Three: Pressley, Shepard, Qualls

Guy - lvl 50
Reese - lvl 44
Shepard - lvl 26

[larrymcg421]

Harrisburg City Islanders (2-2-7, 12th) at Des Moines Menace (7-4-0, 2nd)

Pennington finally gets back on the board when he finds position just outside the penalty box and beats two defenders and the keeper. Pressley doesn't have to do as much work as in the past as we control the midfield, but he does make one solid stop to preserve the victory.

Final: Des Moines 1, Harrisburg 0
Goal: Pennington
Top Three: Pennington, Arroyo, Epperson

Still - lvl 45
Epperson - lvl 42
Arroyo - lvl 35
Carrier - lvl 25

*I actually need to upgrade my stadium. We now have 489 supporters and a 500 seat capacity. I pay $100,000 to upgrade the stadium to 1,000 seats.

*I also have now fully upgraded my defensive coach. All defenders get 400% extra XP for matches, not including the 70% extra some of them are already getting.

[larrymcg421]

Prestige Cup: Round of 32 - Leg 1

San Francisco Deltas at Des Moines Menace

Our winning streak ends in, what else, a cup match. We just can't seem to catch a break in these. San Fran is able to penetrate our defense twice and score on Rainbow Feints. I get Cannon in position to do the same and he is able to take one back. We have one last possession to do something, but Shepard's pass is intercepted. Here's hoping we can rectify this in the 2nd leg.

Final: San Francisco 2, Des Moines 1
Goal: Cannon
Top Three: Shepard, Cannon, Reese

Pressley - lvl 37
Qualls - lvl 20

[larrymcg421]

Tampa Bay Rowdies (7-1-4, 5th) at Des Moines Menace (8-4-0, 2nd)

Pennington's stamina issues have been difficult to deal with lately. This is most likely because he's training a lvl 2 skill, which limits his energy recovery. He should be done training after winter break. But we still manage to work our youngster Cannon into the box. And on a great pass from Shepard, he gets the ball in position and successfully executes the Rainbow Feint to give us the lead in the 68th minute. Unfortunately, Tampa Bay manages to score on a header just a few minutes later. Pennington's last shot is denied and we settle for a draw.

Final: Des Moines 1, Tampa Bay 1
Goals: Cannon
Top Three: Arroyo, Cannon, Epperson

Grubbs - lvl 45
Carrier - lvl 26

[larrymcg421]

Prestige Cup: Round of 32 - Leg 2

Des Moines Menace at San Francisco Deltas

San Fran beat us at our place 2-1 in leg 1. This means we have to score at least two goals to have a chance to advance. Unfortunately, Pennington has one of those games where he can't hit anything despite two good opportunities and we don't get a chance to put Cannon in position for a Rainbow Feint. We once again fail to advance past the round of 32.

Final: San Francisco 0 (2), Des Moines 0 (1)
Goals:
Top Three: Arroyo, Epperson, Pressley

[larrymcg421]

Winter break activities...

*Another wasted youth pull. We get a lvl 27 keeper named Reese. He only has 32 defense. I guess his advantage is 42 control, which makes him really good against headers, but that's not worth a 55 defense drop from Pressley.

*I have 6 starters up for contract renewal.

*This means it's time to sell the 31 yr old Epperson. He's been terrific for us for a long time. I sell him for $507,000. I bought him for $104,000 and renewed for $92,700.

*I extend Pressley for 3 yrs, $150,969.

*I extend Cannon for 3 yrs, $7,863.

*I extend Carrier for 3 yrs, $18,557.

*I extend Reese for 3 yrs, $309, 692.

*I pay to look at the global list, because I now need a backup midfielder or a good CD so I can switch out Grubbs.

*This leaves me with $65,516.

[larrymcg421]

Des Moines Menace (8-5-0, 2nd) at OKC Energy FC (5-1-7, 7th)

Not a great way to start the 2nd half of the season. We can't get a single shot on goal in the 1st half as we just keep battling for the ball in the midfield. In the 2nd half, we get two shots, but Pennington misses them badly. I make the tactical mistake of not pressing their RD and he is able to get in position to send in a cross that they head home for the winner.

Final: OKC 1, Des Moines 0
Goal: None
Top Three: Arroyo, Shepard, Qualls

Reese - lvl 45

[larrymcg421]

Orange County Blues (9-4-1, 2nd) at Des Moines Menace (8-5-1, 3rd)

And our struggles continue. We only allowed 3 goals in the first 13 matches, but give up 3 in our last 2 matches. Pennington continues to struggle and Shepard never gets the chance to use his Long Pass skill.

Final: Orange County 2, Des Moines 0
Goal: None
Top Three: Shepard, Qualls, Reese

Shepard - lvl 27
Carrier - lvl 27

[larrymcg421]

Charleston Battery (13-1-1, 1st) at Des Moines Menace (8-5-2, 4th)

Two more goals in this one, both on headers. We can't build a sustained attack to even get a decent chance for either of our Forwards. Pressley has the Playing Out skill, which helps against headers, but he needs to improve it to higher levels.


Final: Charleston 2, Des Moines 0
Goals: None
Top Three: Arroyo, Qualls, Grubbs

Still - lvl 46

[larrymcg421]

Des Moines Menace (8-5-3, 4th) at San Antonio FC (1-3-12, 14th)

Well, we manage to end our losing streak, but still can't find a goal against the worst team in the league. We really miss Epperson's presence in the middle, as none of our other midfielders is good enough to maintain possession. San Antonio actually gets a chance to win it late, but Pressley makes a great one on one save.

Final: San Antonio 0, Des Moines 0
Goals: None
Top Three: Arroyo, Pressley, Grubbs

Guy - lvl 51

[larrymcg421]

Des Moines Menace (8-6-3, 5th) at Atlanta United (11-2-4, 3rd)

Our defense, which allowed 3 goals in the first 13 matches of the season, has completely fallen apart. We give up three first half goals, one on a penalty and two others when they penetrated our defensive line and converted one on one opportunities. Grubbs had a terrible game missing several tackles. Pennington was able to take one back twice, but couldn't convert a possible equalizer with time running out.

Final: Atlanta 3, Des Moines 2
Goals: Pennington 2
Top Three: Pennington, Shepard, Grubbs (??)

Grubbs - lvl 50

[larrymcg421]

San Francisco Deltas (6-2-10, 10th) at Des Moines Menace (8-6-4, 5th)

We give up yet another goal when they score early on a Rainbow Feint. Pennington continues to miss and Cannon fails at his own Rainbow Feint opportunity. However, Pennington finally finds a goal late in the 2nd half for the equalizer.

Final: Des Moines 1, San Francisco 1
Goals: Pennington
Top Three: Pennington, Qualls, Cannon

Carrier - lvl 28
Cannon - lvl 25

[larrymcg421]

Phoenix Rising FC (4-5-10, 12th) at Des Moines Menace (8-7-4, 6th)

I'm sure glad we did enough in the first half to stay up, because we certainly aren't going to promote. 12 minutes in they get behind our defense and beat Pressley on a shot that should've easily been stopped. We get 5 shots on goal the rest of the match and can't convert any of them, even with several high percentage opportunities.

Final: Phoenix 1, Des Moines 0
Goals:
Top Three: Shepard, Grubbs, Qualls

[larrymcg421]

Des Moines Menace (8-7-5, 6th) at Colorado Springs (8-0-12, 8th)

In what was about to be a 0-0 tie, I try for a counterattack goal late in the 2nd half, but the pass is intercepted. This leaves our defense out of place and we give up a goal on the last turn of the game. At this point, I just want to get to the next season.

Final: Colorado 1, Des Moines 0
Goals:
Top Three: Still, Grubbs, Lynn

[larrymcg421]

Des Moines Menace (8-7-6, 6th) at Ottawa Fury (8-0-12, 8th)

Late in the 2nd half with a scoreless tie on the board, we manage to get the ball to Pennington in a one on one opportunity against the keeper. He blows it. And thus is the essence of the 2nd half of our season.

Final: Ottawa 0, Des Moines 0
Goals:
Top Three: Grubbs, Shepard, Guy

Reese - lvl 46
Qualls - lvl 21

[larrymcg421]

Richmond Kickers (9-2-11, 8th) at Des Moines Menace (8-8-6, 6th)

Richmond penetrates our defense with a nutmeg and scores 24 minutes in. The rest of the match is just a display of our worthless offense, which can't get into position for any decent chances.

Final: Richmond 1, Des Moines 0
Goals:
Top Three: Shepard, Arroyo, Still

Still - lvl 47

[larrymcg421]

Sacramento Republic (15-3-5, 3rd) at Des Moines Menace (8-8-7, 6th)

Pennington finally comes through with a great shot 4 minutes into the match. Unfortunately, our defenders fall asleep 18 minutes later and allow a Sacramento Forward to dribble past them and beat Pressley one on one. We have a chance to go for the winner late in the match, but Shepard's pass is intercepted. The good news is this point clinched staying up.

Final: Des Moines 1, Sacramento 1
Goal: Pennington
Top Three: Arroyo, Pennington, Cannon

[larrymcg421]

Des Moines Menace (8-9-7, 6th) at Harrisburg City Islanders (4-4-16, 13th)

It takes almost the full first half, but our offense finally shows up. Pennington gets a chance to use his Cannon Shot ability to give us the lead. Then he finds great position twice in the 2nd half and nails both shots for a hat trick. We manage 79% possession and only allow 2 shots on goal.

Final: Des Moines 3, Harrisburg 0
Goal: Pennington 3
Top Three: Pennington, Arroyo, Shepard

Pennington - lvl 47
Arroyo - lvl 36
Carrier - lvl 31
Shepard - lvl 28

[larrymcg421]

Des Moines Menace (9-9-7, 7th) at Tampa Bay Rowdies (13-2-10, 5th)

A fitting way to close the 2nd half of the season. Teams figured out how to target us on headers and Tampa Bay does that twice here. Pennington opens the 2nd half with a terrific goal, but we can't find another for the equalizer. After going 8-5-0 in the 1st half of the season, we went 1-4-8 in the 2nd half.

Final: Tampa Bay 2, Des Moines 1
Goal: Pennington
Top Three: Shepard, Pennington, Grubbs

Guy - lvl 52
Grubbs - lvl 51

[larrymcg421]

*Before the season, I would've been delighted with a 7th place finish. But the way it happened, with us just crashing and burning in the 2nd half, was not fun.

*Pennington finished 5th with 16 goals.

*Shepard finished 7th with 6 assists.

*Arroyo finished 3rd with 48 tackles.

*Pressley finished 2nd with 22 saves.

Goals:

Pennington - 16
Cannon - 4
Qualls - 3

Top Three Rankings:

Arroyo - 33
Pennington - 28
Shepard - 26
Grubbs - 23
Pressley - 15
Epperson - 13
Cannon - 9
Qualls - 9
Still - 5
Guy - 3
Reese - 2
Lynn - 1