Steven Short, United Soccer League’s Division III Vice President, and Des Moines Menace Manager Matt Homonoff came away from meetings eager to continue discussions of a move to the USL’s third-division league – which is set to kick off in 2019.

After traveling to multiple markets in the Midwest and Southeast, Short continued his expansion tour in Des Moines, Iowa, on Friday through Monday. Short spoke to the leadership of the Menace about Division III, attended the club’s rivalry match against the Thunder Bay Chill on Saturday evening and spent Monday with the Greater Des Moines Convention & Visitors Bureau.

“We were very happy to host Steven and learn more about Division III this weekend,” Menace General Manager Matt Homonoff told USLD3.com. “It was a special weekend for the club with an excellent crowd in excess of 3,500, and he taught us a lot about what the next level could look like. We look forward to continuing discussions and evaluating the opportunity.

“I think anyone who comes to Des Moines falls in love with it,” Homonoff added, “and there’s no doubt in my mind that this city and its fans are deserving of high-level soccer. We look forward to continuing to be the premier club in the state.”