The 109th edition of the historic Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup tournament is underway this week and as in previous incarnations the 2024 version has already produced incredibly exciting matches. The match between Capistrano FC (NISA) and the Des Moines Menace (USL-2) at JSerra Stadium fit that bill to a T.
The headlines entering the match was the recruiting of the Menace. The USL League Two powerhouse added former US international Sacha Kljestan and former MLS goalkeeper Brian Rowe to the roster and both players played significant roles. Kljestan assisted on the opening goal in the second half only to see Parker Scalzo equalize for Capo FC less than 15 minutes later. Then in extra time, Leroy Enzugusi put the Menace ahead in the 117th minute, only to see Scalzo tie it up again in the final minute to send the match into penalty kicks. Des Moines would win the shootout 5-4 with Kljestan scoring the last goal for the visitors.
With the shootout win, the Menace earn their eighth pro team upset in Open Cup history, second-most of any amateur team in the Modern Era (1995-present). Only Des Moines’ rival the Flint City Bucks have more with 10.
The match was a slow burn that turned into roaring fire by the time the final whistle was blown. The first half was a display of both sides trying to show who wanted it more with possession and shots being split, mostly, evenly. And though home and away were consistent with shots taken, Capo had more on target which gave Des Moines keeper Brian Rowe a chance to shine. With several consecutive shots by the likes of Cole Sime and Omar Sabbagh that could have, possibly should have, put Capo FC on the board, Rowe showed his speed and skill, preventing the ball from finding the back of the net. For Rowe, it was his eighth US Open Cup appearance, with the seven previous appearances coming with the LA Galaxy of MLS.
Capo keeper Nate King had his own opportunities to show his stopping power including a shot from inside the box by Kijestan in the 18 yard box. As the first half wound down the shots and blocks continued leaving the match tied at 0-0 as the teams headed off for the halftime break.
The way the first half looked one might assume that Capo would be the first to light up the scoreboard, but it was Des Moines that cracked the seal with a rocket from Cyrus Harmon that was able to find its way past King in the 53rd minute giving them the lead. As play carried on, several sets of fresh legs sent in for both sides kept this match moving at the high level of play we saw in the first 45.
The extra boost of energy finally cleared the way for the home side to reply to Des Moines’ earlier goal. In the 66th minute, Capo’s Scalzo sent one in, dead center, leaving the Menace’s Rowe unable to get a glove on it, tying the score at 1-1.
As the match moved on frustration started to show through. The second half would culminate with two back to back handballs, one for each side, a yellow card shown to Capo team captain Daniel Segal in the 78th minute, a long series of fouls, and a score still knotted at one. Overtime was upon these tired teams.
Capo FC showed the first glimmer of hope to break the tie. Daniel Segal had a chance from a corner sent in by Lukas Ender that he unfortunately sent high over the crossbar. As the exhaustion, passion and desire to move to the Cup’s second round came together, the chippiness that can happen also reared its head. Segal, Capo’s skipper, was shown yellow a second time, resulting in his ejection from the match. The home team was now down to 10 men and still had 25 minutes of playing time left on the clock. Des Moines attempted to capitalize on their man advantage with two shots in quick succession but were unable to complete the task.
The shots continued to come from both sides but none would get between the pipes until minute 117 when Leroy Enzuguzi smashed a close range missile past Nate King giving a 2-1 lead to the visitors. With only three minutes left in overtime, the disappointment of the Capo team was visible. In the final three minutes, the 10 man home side popped off three shots on target, the third of which found the back of the net. A ball was sent in and Rowe was unable to catch it and Scalzo pounced on the loose ball with seconds left in extra time. With the score tied at 2-2, the whistle signaled the end of play and the start of a shootout to determine who moves on in the tournament.
The shootout would be quick but exciting as each side converted their first four attempts. The anticipation was thick in the air as two more shots were to come. Kljestan was the fifth player for Des Moines and after playing 120 minutes, he scored. Then Capo’s goalscorer Scalzo went next and skied his attempt well over the bar to send the Menace to the Second Round.
“To go through all the extra time and penalties, and come away with the victory and get on to Round 2 is brilliant,” said Menace head coach Troy McKerrel.
With this as his first match at the helm of the Menace he also said that this win is a good way to set the tone and he intends to continue forward in the same way.
