Few might be aware, but the Des Moines Menace have assembled a team featuring some high-profile former Major League Soccer (MLS) players like Sacha Kljestan and Benny Feilhaber. Their goal is to make waves in the U.S. Open Cup.
However, a significant challenge looms over them: these players have never played together as a team.
The Menace launch their campaign in the 110th edition of the Open Cup on Wednesday with an opening-round game against Sporting Kansas City II. Besides Kljestan and Feilhaber, the lineup comprises other notable retired players such as Dax McCarty, Osvaldo Alonso, Justin Meram, Matt Hedges, A.J. DeLaGarza, and Bradley Wright-Phillips.
This eclectic group met in Kansas City for what would be their sole practice scheduled for Tuesday night. One of the key strategies will involve determining which members, many of whom are approaching or have surpassed their 40s, can endure an entire 90-minute match.
“Luckily, Benny Feilhaber used to coach Sporting KC II, so he’s familiar with their tactics,” explained Kljestan. “He’ll assist in devising our strategy and organizing the team.”
The Menace is a part of USL League Two, the fourth level of the soccer hierarchy in the United States. The team typically competes in summer, drawing numerous top-tier college talents eager to maintain their training and competitive edge during the offseason.
The MLS veterans won’t occupy slots on the regular team’s roster and won’t receive salaries. Nevertheless, they have already attracted interest, boosting the team’s visibility and merchandise sales with their signature fiery red-eyed soccer ball logo.
Last year, Kljestan was introduced to Charlie Bales, the team’s general manager, at a Southern California gym owned by a former Menace player. Despite having not played in over a year, this encounter persuaded Kljestan—now an MLS Season Pass analyst for Apple TV—to return to the field for the Menace during the 2024 Open Cup.
The Menace triumphed in their first match against Southern California club Capo FC via a penalty shootout after a 2-2 stalemate, with Kljestan scoring the decisive penalty. Nonetheless, the team was ousted in the subsequent round with a 3-1 loss to Union Omaha.
Feilhaber later inquired whether Kljestan intended to compete again this year, expressing a desire to join him if he did.
“He approached me about playing again, and I agreed. When Benny and I committed, it was easy to bring many former MLS All-Stars on board,” Kljestan explained. “We saw the potential for something special and decided to go for it.”
Founded in 1914, the Open Cup stands as the oldest soccer tournament in the country, featuring teams from both MLS and lower-tier leagues, as well as amateur outfits like the Menace.
Since the MLS began in 1996, the Rochester Raging Rhinos remain the sole lower-division team to have claimed the title, defeating the Colorado Rapids 2-0 in the 1999 final.
In a 2023 decision, MLS announced the withdrawal of senior teams from the tournament, replacing them with developmental squads from MLS Next Pro. Following considerable backlash, eight MLS teams participated in 2024, with the number increasing to 16 this year.
“I hold the Open Cup in high regard. It’s an incredible competition with remarkable history, rivaling any other team sport in the U.S. I’m pleased MLS teams are back because they belong here,” Kljestan shared. “I attended last year’s final between LAFC and Kansas City—the atmosphere was electric as LAFC lifted the trophy. I’m relieved a viable resolution was reached.”