Meet the Roots
The people behind the crest. Our coaching staff and front office team are committed to developing players, building community, and growing the game in Iowa.
“Behind every player who pulls on a Roots jersey is a staff that believed in them first.“
Josh Jerkovich grew up in Council Bluffs, Iowa with a soccer ball at his feet and a clear picture of what the game meant to families like his. He played through youth, high school, and into college at Morningside University and Iowa Western Community College — long enough to understand what it felt like to compete seriously, and what it cost to get there.
In the spring of 2025 he drove to James Cownie Sports Complex to watch a UPSL match — a team most people in Des Moines did not even know existed. The stadium was empty. No sponsors, no community, no energy. He turned to his wife and said what he meant: if this team ever folds, I am going to build something better. A few weeks later, the Des Moines squad forfeited their season. Josh went home and started building.
By June 1 the social pages were live. By fall, CC Roots FC was competing in the UPSL Premier Division. By the end of year one — playoffs. He is not a professional soccer executive by training. He is a parent, a player, and someone who got tired of waiting for someone else to act.
“I am doing this for the parents who cannot give their kid every opportunity. For the players practicing every day with a dream and no real access to it. For my kids. And because it seemed like no one else was willing to take the time.”
Coaching Staff
Hamed Alic came to Des Moines the way most good things happen in soccer — he showed up to watch tryouts and never left. Born in Bosnia, Hamed has been involved in the game his entire life. A knee injury ended his playing days but opened the door to a decade of coaching, working with youth and adult players through UFA, FK Potocari, and FC Bosnia United before joining Capital City Roots FC. As Head Coach, Hamed plans every training session, drives every tactical decision, and communicates with his squad almost daily. His philosophy is straightforward: this team is about family, and the soccer community here stays united.
“Messi is the GOAT.”
Jeff Menendez grew up in Denison, Iowa and has been playing soccer for over ten years — the highest level being high school, where the game became more than just a sport. He has been living in Des Moines for three years and brought coaching experience from Urbandale High School before joining the Roots. He found Capital City Roots FC the way a lot of good things happen — he saw a post from Josh that resonated with him, reached out, and the rest followed. On the field Jeff helps Coach Hamed run training sessions, contributing wherever he is needed. Off it he manages the club’s social media presence, building graphics and keeping the community engaged throughout the week. He is part of this because he believes in what is being built in Des Moines — and he gives great massages.
“I believe in what is being built in Des Moines”
Collin Schmidt grew up in Harlan, Iowa playing soccer for fifteen years — recreational and high school level — before life took him away from the game. Now based in Des Moines, he found his way back to the pitch through Capital City Roots FC, connecting with the club through a friendship with Josh and a genuine desire to be part of something new. As General Manager, Collin handles the day-to-day logistics that keep the club running — from team operations to managing the health of the organization as a whole. He also serves as Assistant Coach, showing up to every practice and contributing on the field alongside the technical staff. His reason for being here is simple: soccer brings people together from all walks of life, and getting to be part of a player or coach’s journey brings him real joy.
“Go Roots!!”
Technical & Operations Staff
Ethan Bartels brings over 30 years of soccer experience to Capital City Roots FC — from competing at the college level and in the PDL (now USL League Two), to more than seven years of goalkeeper coaching across Iowa institutions. He served as Goalkeeper Coach at Iowa Western Community College for two seasons and at Northwest Florida College for two seasons, with five-plus additional years of club coaching work throughout his career.
Ethan and Josh Jerkovich have known each other for nearly 30 years. When Josh acquired the club and began building his staff, Ethan was one of his first calls. “After we spoke I thought — well yeah, it would make sense that I was one of his first calls,” Ethan said. That shared history and mutual trust is exactly what this staff is built on.
Ethan sees Capital City Roots FC as something bigger than a team. “In the United States there has never been a larger opportunity to play professionally. There are a lot of players who finish college and ask themselves: now what? Many of them have the quality to play in the USL and work their way into an MLS organization. But there is generally a gap between college and that next step — because of a lack of education on the process, or no opportunity to showcase their skill. This can be the place to fill that gap.”
Marc Leyva grew up in Aurora, Colorado with a ball at his feet from age four — sixteen years of soccer across club, high school, and college before pulling on a Roots jersey in the club’s inaugural Fall 2025 season. Injuries kept him off the pitch more than he wanted, but they never kept him away from the game. When the season ended he made the move from player to staff, stepping into the goalkeeper coaching role and bringing the perspective of someone who has been on both sides of the training session. His day-to-day work is straightforward — he gets the keepers warmed up, walks them through the action plan for practice, and helps run drills. He found the Roots through Instagram, stayed because of the culture, and shows up every day to help build something worth being part of. He works at MercyOne downtown outside of soccer and is, by his own admission, probably the biggest country music fan you will ever meet.
Originally from California and now based in Perry, Iowa, Marco Velasco brings a lifetime in the game to his role as Head of Player Recruitment at Capital City Roots FC. Soccer has been a constant from his earliest years — through recreational leagues, club soccer, high school, and Sunday league — each level sharpening his eye for the game and his understanding of what it takes to compete.
Outside of the Roots, Marco is the head soccer coach at Perry Middle School and manages a Sunday league team that has competed in high-level tournaments. He spends his weekends on the field — scouting, watching, and evaluating — and stays in regular contact with college-level and Sunday league players across the region. His approach to recruitment is direct: everyone gets a genuine shot, but earning a spot requires commitment, effort, and the right mindset.
Off the pitch, Marco works as a Senior Accountant in the manufacturing sector and holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree. The discipline and organizational thinking that comes with that background carries into everything he does with the club. He was drawn to Capital City Roots FC because of the club’s focus on local talent and community — and he sees his role here as an extension of something he has always believed: that Iowa has the players, they just need the pathway.
“Creating pathways for local talent to succeed. Being part of this club allows me to give back to the game and the community.”
Interested in Joining the Roots Staff?
Capital City Roots FC is always looking for passionate, driven individuals who want to help build something real. Whether you have a background in coaching, operations, media, or community development — we want to hear from you.