The Allure of the Pitch: Retired MLS Stars Reunite for U.S. Open Cup Run
For many athletes, the competitive fire never truly dies. The roar of the crowd, the thrill of victory, the camaraderie of the locker room – these are experiences that linger long after retirement. Four recently retired Major League Soccer (MLS) legends are about to rediscover that feeling, stepping back onto the field not for nostalgia’s sake, but for a genuine shot at glory in the U.S. Open Cup.
Dax McCarty, fresh off helping Atlanta United eliminate Lionel Messi and Inter Miami from the postseason before hanging up his boots after a stellar 19-year career, is joining Ozzie Alonso, Sacha Kljestan, and Bradley Wright-Phillips in an unlikely comeback. It’s been just a few months since McCarty’s retirement, a little over a year since Alonso’s, and two years since Kljestan and Wright-Phillips called it quits.
Instead of analyzing games from the comfort of the MLS Apple TV studio, these four will lace up their boots once again, trading the microphone for the muddy pitch. They’ll join six other retired players on an amateur team from Iowa, the Des Moines Menace, and face the daunting task of taking on Sporting Kansas City II, a team comprised of hungry, young players aged 19 to 24, all aspiring to reach the same heights these veterans once did.
The stage is set for a captivating clash on Wednesday night in Kansas City, Missouri, at Children’s Mercy Victory Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET, and the match, a first-round encounter in the 110th edition of the U.S. Open Cup, will be streamed live on YouTube. This tournament holds a special significance; it’s the longest-running soccer competition in the United States, a testament to the enduring spirit of the beautiful game.
McCarty, acknowledging the challenge ahead, playfully admitted his physical struggles in a recent social media video. “I just ran sprints for the first time in four months. I still got it,” he quipped, before collapsing on the grass, clearly winded. “I don’t know how I got convinced, man.”
Wright-Phillips, equally hesitant, echoed McCarty’s sentiments. “Sasha worked his magic, wore me down and convinced me,” he told USA TODAY Sports with a sigh, highlighting Kljestan’s crucial role in orchestrating this reunion.
Kljestan, who tasted Open Cup action with the Menace last year, was instrumental in recruiting his former colleagues. He, along with Benny Feilhaber, a Sporting Kansas City legend who coached SKC’s Next Pro team for the past three years, served as the driving forces behind this unlikely project. Feilhaber, a former USMNT player and MLS Cup champion with SKC in 2013, also won the Open Cup with the club in 2017 and is enshrined in their hall of fame.
The lure of playing alongside familiar faces proved irresistible. Kljestan and Feilhaber successfully persuaded McCarty to join, reigniting a bond forged during their shared experience representing U.S. Soccer at the Beijing Olympics in 2008. Alonso, a four-time Open Cup winner and 2016 MLS Cup champion with the Seattle Sounders, admitted that McCarty was a key influence in his decision, even before their flight to their current jobs as analysts.
For Wright-Phillips, it was the opportunity to reunite with his former "striking partner" Kljestan. Their partnership at the New York Red Bulls was electric, with Kljestan leading MLS in assists and Wright-Phillips topping the goal-scoring charts twice each during their careers. Notably, they achieved this feat together in 2016, showcasing their undeniable chemistry.
The Des Moines Menace, a USL League Two team typically comprised of amateur college players, offer these seasoned professionals a unique platform. They aren’t receiving any compensation for their participation; their motivation stems purely from the love of the game and the desire to relive the unforgettable moments that defined their careers.
"When you retire, you can never get that feeling back of playing in a stadium, scoring a goal and hearing everybody cheer for you," Kljestan said passionately. "There’s just nothing in life that can replicate that. So, just getting that opportunity to do it one more time, or two more times, or three more times depending how many games we win, I think it’s pretty exciting for us."
McCarty, while acknowledging the physical toll of professional soccer, admitted that he misses the competitive intensity. He found some solace in golf and pickleball, but these activities couldn’t fully satisfy his yearning for the pitch. "I absolutely want that feeling back," he confessed.
Alonso echoed McCarty’s sentiments, expressing his longing for the camaraderie of the locker room and the pressure to perform at the highest level. "I miss everything," he said simply.
Wright-Phillips, in a surprisingly candid revelation, admitted that he didn’t always enjoy his playing career as much as he should have. He was often too critical of himself and preoccupied with results. This comeback offers him a chance to rewrite that narrative. "I’m one of those players that I don’t really miss the game," he said. "When I played, I was really uptight. It wasn’t fun because I was very hard on myself to always score goals. I didn’t enjoy as many games as I should have because you’re always worried about three points and worrying about other teams’ results. So, I just want to enjoy the game, try to win and just have fun playing with my friends."
Joining the quartet are other notable MLS veterans. AJ DeLaGarza, a three-time MLS Cup champion with the L.A. Galaxy and Open Cup winner with Houston in 2018, brings invaluable experience to the squad. Victor Ulloa (FC Dallas, 2016) and Justin Meram (Atlanta, 2019) also boast Open Cup titles. Matt Hedges, the 2016 MLS Defender of the Year, and Mikey Ambrose, a former six-year MLS veteran, round out the impressive roster.
While individual talent is undeniable, the key to success lies in team cohesion. Kljestan and Wright-Phillips jokingly expect McCarty, the most recently retired of the group, to carry the workload. "Their expectations are I’m supposed to play 90 minutes," McCarty said with a hint of skepticism. "I don’t know how that’s going to work out."
Beyond individual performance, the team’s ambitions for the tournament are a mix of realism and lofty aspirations. McCarty tempered expectations, stating that it would be "a little irresponsible and foolish to talk about winning the whole thing." Kljestan, more optimistic, revealed his "dream scenario" would be to face an MLS team in a big stadium again. Wright-Phillips, ever the competitor, declared, "It’s going to sound delusional, but I want to get to the final. I want to win this. That’s the way I am in my mind. I’m not saying I’m going to be leading the line. I’ll be on the bench like a great cheerleader. But let’s try and get to the final."
U.S. Soccer’s announcement of a record $1 million prize pool adds another layer of intrigue to the tournament. The champion will receive $600,000, the runner-up $250,000, and $50,000 will be awarded to each of the three highest finishers from lower divisions.
The Open Cup, despite its rich history, has faced challenges in recent years, often overshadowed by the Leagues Cup tournament between MLS and LIGA MX teams. MLS nearly withdrew its senior teams from the competition last year, but ultimately, eight participated in 2023, and 16 of the 30 will be involved this year.
While the retired players aren’t solely motivated by a desire to revitalize the Open Cup, they recognize the potential impact of their participation. "People over time have seemed to play it down. It’s the oldest tournament in the country, and that’s to be respected," Wright-Phillips said. "A lot of people made their name in this tournament. Why are we above it? Why would I not want to play in this tournament and get more people interested?"
Kljestan added, "This is just getting a group of guys that want to give it one last shot of playing together at the highest level, and it will shine a light to the Open Cup and hopefully bring more eyeballs for it." This unlikely reunion of MLS legends promises not only a compelling sporting narrative but also a potential boost for a historic tournament seeking renewed relevance in the American soccer landscape. The desire to play again, it seems, can reignite a passion that benefits not only the players themselves but also the game they love.
