DES MOINES, Iowa – The Des Moines Menace unveiled on Monday a star-studded group that is set to take the field for the USL League Two club in this year’s Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious soccer tournament, when it squares off with Sporting KC II of MLS NEXT Pro in the First Round on Wednesday, March 19, in Kansas City, Mo.

The group is led by former United States international Sacha Kljestan, who returns to the club for a second consecutive Open Cup campaign. He is joined by the likes of midfielder Benny Feilhaber, a Sporting KC Hall of Famer, MLS Cup winner (2013), and U.S. international, who will serve as co-captain alongside Kljestan.

“This is a historic moment for our club, for Iowa, and for the U.S. Open Cup,” said Kyle Davy, Business Director of the Des Moines Menace. “We’ve built a once-in-a-lifetime team that will capture the imagination of soccer fans nationwide.”

The Menace’s roster also includes:

• Bradley Wright-Phillips – Two-time MLS Golden Boot winner, MLS Best XI (2014, 2016), and Apple TV MLS Analyst.

• Dax McCarty – MLS Best XI (2015), MLS All-Star, Concacaf Gold Cup champion, 13 caps for USMNT.

• Matt Hedges – MLS Defender of the Year (2016), 3-time MLS All-Star, NCAA National Champion.

• Ozzie Alonso – Four-time U.S. Open Cup champion, MLS Best XI (2012), MLS Cup champion (2016).

• AJ DeLaGarza – Three-time MLS Cup champion, U.S. Open Cup champion (2018).

• Victor Ulloa – U.S. Open Cup champion (2016), MLS Supporters’ Shield winner.

• Justin Meram – U.S. Open Cup and Campeones Cup champion, 36 caps for the Iraq National Team.

• Mikey Ambrose – Former U.S. Youth National Team player, six seasons in MLS.

A Matchup Filled with Storylines

One of the First Round’s most intriguing off-field storylines is Feilhaber’s return to Kansas City. A Sporting KC Hall of Famer, Feilhaber was most recently the Head Coach of Sporting Kansas City II, the side the Menace will face next week. Feilhaber is set to face not only the club he previously represented, but potentially some of the players he led a season ago in MLS NEXT Pro.

“We’re here to win,” said Feilhaber. “The goal is to make a deep run, and everyone is coming in with a team-first mentality. Playing SKC II in Kansas City makes it even better.”

How to Support the Menace

The Menace kick off their U.S. Open Cup journey on Wednesday, March 19 at 6:30 p.m. CT against Sporting KC II, in Kansas City. Fans can support the team by attending the match in Kansas City or joining a local watch party at Big Grove Brewery in Des Moines.

Menace Open Cup Player Jerseys & T-Shirts

The Menace have also partnered with their kit provider, Olive & York, to produce authentic custom Open Cup Edition Jerseys with player names and numbers on them, along with custom graphic tee’s, giving fans the chance to wear their favorite former MLS player’s name, image, and likeness in Menace colors.  A full lineup of Open Cup edition merchandise can be found on the team’s online shop.

What’s Next? A Potential Home Match in Iowa

If the Menace advance, they could host a Second Round match in early April at Valley Stadium in West Des Moines, Iowa. This could be one of the biggest soccer events in Iowa this year, drawing national attention and possibly attracting even more high-profile players to join the squad.