The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is celebrating its 110th edition this week, showcasing a diverse cast of teams within American soccer. Among them is the Des Moines Menace, an amateur USL League Two team that has assembled an impressive lineup of former MLS players for this year’s tournament. Notably, four of these players—Sacha Kljestan, Dax McCarty, Osvaldo Alonso, and Bradley Wright-Phillips—are current analysts for Apple TV+’s MLS Season Pass coverage.
Kljestan recently shared insights with Awful Announcing about this unique team, which is set to launch its campaign for this year’s record $1 million prize on Wednesday against Sporting Kansas City II. This is particularly noteworthy since Menace player Benny Feilhaber recently coached at Kansas City. Kljestan mentioned that he became involved with the Des Moines team before last year’s Open Cup, thanks to a connection with gym owner Matt Bourne, where he works out at MOXI3 in Newport Beach, California.
“One day while I was working out, six players from Des Moines were in town visiting Matt. After our session, one of the guys, Charlie Bales—the genius behind this whole initiative—approached me and said, ‘Come out of retirement, play in the Open Cup,’” Kljestan recalled. “He convinced me last year, and I managed to get a few ex-MLS players to join me. This year, we’re back at it, and we’ve got around 13 or 14 ex-MLS players on the roster for this first game, featuring a mix of friends and former superstars aiming to make a run at the Cup.”
For Kljestan, returning to U.S. Open Cup play was a new experience after retiring from professional soccer post-2022 season with the Los Angeles Galaxy. He approached last year’s event without any specific expectations. “It was thrilling to play a meaningful soccer game again, especially after being over a year retired. That really added to the excitement,” he said.
He also enjoyed teaming up with younger players on the squad. “Playing alongside local Des Moines players who dreamt of representing the Menace was special and rewarding,” Kljestan added. Last year, the Menace secured a win in the U.S. Open Cup, making the experience even more memorable for him. “Winning our first game was a blast. We faced Union Omaha next—one of the top USL League One teams. They defeated us, but it was nonetheless an incredible experience. I purely wanted to enjoy the game again, and it was a fantastic opportunity.”
This year’s Menace Open Cup roster boasts an even greater number of former MLS players, including a collective of one MLS Cup, nine Supporters’ Shields, and ten U.S. Open Cup titles. Three of these players—McCarty, Alonso, and Wright-Phillips—frequently collaborate with Kljestan on Apple’s MLS Season Pass, with Alonso taking a lead role in Spanish-language studio broadcasts like La Previa and MLS 360, while the others contribute in English to programs such as MLS Countdown and MLS Wrap-Up. “It’s thrilling to play alongside former teammates and rivals who I now work with regularly,” Kljestan said.
“Each one of them is exciting to play with because I share the studio with them every weekend for MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+. We enjoy spending Saturdays and Sundays together, and for me, Dax, and Bradley, it brings back memories from the 2015 New York Red Bulls season when we secured the Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup. Those were great times, and I couldn’t miss the chance to play alongside them again.” He continued, “With Ozzie, who works in the Spanish studio—he’s achieved incredible success, winning four U.S. Open Cups with the Seattle Sounders. It’s super exciting to be on the same team now instead of competing against each other.”
A recent discussion across sports emphasized the significance of featuring recently retired analysts who remain connected to active players. For Kljestan, this is a great asset within their group. “We stay engaged with the game while building connections with current players, like Dax McCarty, who recently joined our studio after retiring in December. He has played with many of the active MLS players or faced them during his career,” he stated. “Knowing the coaches and having played against them enriches our studio discussions, enabling us to share valuable insights.”
However, if the Menace manages an extended run in the tournament, there could be potential conflicts for the broadcasters pitted against MLS teams they typically cover. Kljestan remarked that they haven’t started worrying about that yet. “If we reach a point where we’re playing against an MLS team, we’ll figure that out then. Right now, I’m just focused on playing the game with others who love it, without overthinking it.”
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While Kljestan enjoys playing again, he appreciates the past two seasons in broadcasting. “It’s been a fulfilling experience, keeping me engaged in Major League Soccer, a league I’ve always been passionate about. Sharing stories about the intricacies of MLS feels amazing,” he expressed.
Kljestan believes MLS is in a strong position, and he sees the current Apple/MLS coverage approach as beneficial for the fans. “We aim to deliver a fantastic product on the field, and I hope I add value to the studio shows surrounding the league. While the games take precedence, we create a lively atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.” Although he finds broadcast thrills differ from the exhilaration of playing, he relishes this new chapter in his career.
“I’m thankful for this opportunity. Nothing compares to scoring in front of 30,000 fans—I doubt anything can ever replicate that after you retire. However, working in a studio with amazing colleagues and striving to present a quality product for fans has been rewarding.” Currently, Kljestan is excited to participate again in a tournament that holds significant meaning for him.
“I have always loved the Open Cup. It’s an exciting tournament steeped in history. The U.S. Open Cup is arguably the oldest team sports trophy in the United States, with a rich legacy spanning over a century. I participated in the tournament every year during my professional career in the U.S., and I’m eagerly anticipating my return.”
Recently, there has been some discussion about the future of the Open Cup, especially as many MLS teams, including last year’s champions Los Angeles FC, have opted to field their feeder clubs. Nevertheless, this year sees 16 full MLS clubs participating (up from eight in 2024), providing opportunities for amateur teams to achieve remarkable victories. Kljestan believes this open cup format is invaluable, as witnessed globally.
“There’s significant value in creating opportunities for upsets. Looking at similar cups globally, like the French Cup, a third-division team made it to the semifinals, while a third-division team in the German Cup has also reached the semifinals. Such scenarios always lead to remarkable David vs. Goliath tales, as smaller teams challenge the country’s biggest clubs, generating exciting storylines and enjoyable matchups.”
Kljestan expressed hope that their involvement might garner more visibility for the tournament. “The Open Cup is an incredible tournament, and we’re eager to shine a light on its rich history. We aspire to generate interest and inspire young fans to witness our games, proving that the old guys still have some skills left.”
The Des Moines Menace will kick off their 2025 U.S. Open Cup journey Wednesday night against Sporting Kansas City II at 7:30 p.m. ET. The match, along with all first-round matches on Tuesday, will be available for viewing on YouTube.
