St. Louis Lions qualify for 2009 US Open Cup with 2-2 draw against Menace

NEWS RELEASE Media Contact: Colin Pennington Colin.pennington@brightonusa.com (314)505-5285 St. Louis Lions qualify for 2009 US Open Cup with 2-2 draw against Menace St. Louis, Mo. (May 25, 2009) – The St. Louis Lions continued their unbeaten ways in 2009 with a 2-2 draw against the Des Moines Menace on Saturday night. The draw also secured a spot for the Lions in the 2009 US Open Cup. This is the second consecutive year that the Lions have qualified for the Open Cup. St Louis was first to get on the board in the 17th minute with a goal by forward Stephen Brocks. The Lions were slowly working the ball out of the backfield deep in their own end when midfielder Stuart Wark spotted a an opening in the Des Moines defense and rifled a ball to a streaking Brocks who settled the ball, pushed it to the right side of the diving Menace keeper then placing the ball into the back of the net. The goal was the fourth of the season for Brocks. Des Moines tied the game in the 68th minute on a one-timer from Darryl Odom who drilled one in off the post. The Menace then took the lead in the 69th minute on an unassisted head ball goal from Jack Pearson. As with any St Louis and Des Moines rivalry game, the two teams don't quit and St Louis charged back and tied the game on a corner. David Mueller served up a cross that found Olly Dyson on the far side of the box who drove the ball into the back of the net to tie the game and send the Lions into the US open Cup. "Our first goal of the season was to qualify for the cup. We have done that and now we must wait to see who we will face in the first round on June 9th," said Lions Head Coach Tony Glavin. "Our next goal is to stay at the top of the tables and we have to go to Des Moines next Saturday and play this same team. It is never an easy game against them." The Lions will find out later this week who their first round opponent will be in the US Open Cup. The first round match is to be played on June 9th with the site and opponent to be determined. Next up for the Lions is a trip to Des Moines to play the Menace on the return leg Saturday, May 30 at 7:30 p.m. at Valley Stadium in Des Moines. The Lions will continue the road trip with a game the following day when they take on the Rochester Thunder. For more information please visit www.stllions.com. Photo: Lions defender David Mueller battles with Menace player Brian Beckford late in Saturday's match. The St. Louis Lions are in their fourth season as a member of the United Soccer League's (USL) Premier Development League (PDL) where players have the ability to compete throughout the summer months in a professionalized setting while maintaining their collegiate eligibility. The league is the proving ground for players that aspire to reach the highest-levels of the game, while providing affordable family entertainment within their city. The PDL consistently sends players into the professional ranks with several playing in the USL First and Second Professional Divisions as well as 39 players with PDL experience chosen in the 2009 Major League Soccer SuperDraft. In just three prior seasons the Lions have competed in the U.S. Open Cup(2008), PDL playoffs(2007), won the Rookie Franchise of the Year Award(2006) and currently have five former players playing professional soccer.