Former MLS Stars Lace Up for Iowa's Des Moines Menace

Retired players Sacha Kljestan and Benny Feilhaber join the amateur team's quest for US Open Cup glory.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The Des Moines Menace, an amateur soccer team in Iowa, has attracted some big names to its roster, including retired MLS stars Sacha Kljestan and Benny Feilhaber. Despite being unknown to most, the Menace are aiming to make a splash in the upcoming US Open Cup tournament.

Why it matters

The presence of former MLS players on the Menace roster shines a spotlight on the vibrant amateur soccer scene in the Midwest, where talented players continue to compete at high levels even after their professional careers have ended.

The details

Kljestan and Feilhaber, both of whom enjoyed successful MLS careers, have joined the Menace to compete in the prestigious US Open Cup, a nationwide tournament that pits professional and amateur teams against each other. The Menace, an established amateur club, hope that the experience and leadership of these former stars will help them make a deep run in the competition.

  • The Des Moines Menace are set to compete in the 2026 US Open Cup.

The players

Sacha Kljestan

A former MLS All-Star and US national team player, Kljestan has joined the Des Moines Menace to compete in the US Open Cup.

Benny Feilhaber

A retired MLS veteran and US national team player, Feilhaber has also signed on with the Des Moines Menace for their US Open Cup campaign.

Des Moines Menace

An amateur soccer team based in Des Moines, Iowa, the Menace have attracted several former MLS stars to their roster as they aim to make a deep run in the US Open Cup.

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What they’re saying

“It's been great to get back on the field and compete at a high level again. The Menace have a really talented group, and we're excited to see how far we can go in the Open Cup.”

— Sacha Kljestan (foxsports.com)

“This is a great opportunity for us to showcase the quality of amateur soccer in the Midwest. We may not be a professional team, but we've got the talent and determination to make some noise in this tournament.”

— Benny Feilhaber (foxsports.com)

What’s next

The Des Moines Menace will begin their US Open Cup campaign in the coming weeks, facing off against other amateur and professional teams from across the country.

The takeaway

The presence of former MLS stars on the Des Moines Menace roster highlights the vibrant amateur soccer scene in the Midwest, where talented players continue to compete at high levels even after their professional careers have ended.