Alexi Lalas Biography - Plays College Soccer, High Profile Player At World Cup, Played In Italy, Chronology, Played For Mls Team - SELECTED WRITINGS BY LALAS:
national michigan hockey school
1970-
American soccer player
One of the most recognized American soccer players because of his red hair and trademark goatee, Alexi Lalas contributed to the popularity of the sport in the United States in the 1990s. A defender, Lalas played on the U.S. national team, and professionally for MLS (Major League Soccer) and in Europe for Italy's Serie A, one of
Alexi Lalas
the best leagues in the world. He was also a singer and guitar player who recorded and performed with bands.
Lalas was born on June 1, 1970, in Birmingham, Michigan, the son of Dimitrious Lalas and his wife Anne Woodworth. His father was a professor who later became the director of Greece's national observatory, while his mother was a writer and poet. Lalas did not begin to play soccer until he was 10 or 11 years old, but by his senior year of high school at Cranbrook Kingswood, he was Michigan's prep soccer player of the year. Soccer was not his only sport. Lalas was also a star hockey player, and his team won the state's high school hockey championship.
SELECTED WRITINGS BY LALAS:
(With Thomas Lee Wright) Kickin Balls: The Alexi Lalas Story. Simon & Schuster, 1996.
Additional Topics
When Lalas entered Rutgers in 1988, he joined the soccer team playing sweeper after a try-out. He grew tremendously as a player. Lalas was named captain in 1989, and by 1991 was selected as the national player of the year. Rutgers went to the semifinals of the NCAA tournament in 1989 and the finals in 1990. Coach Bob Reasso told Alex Yannis of the New York Times, "He's the most domin…
After the World Cup, Lalas was offered a contract with Padua, a Serie A team in Italy, as well as with teams in England and Germany. He took the Padua contract, becoming the first American to play in this league, often considered the best in the world. For both the team and Lalas, this was a gamble because Lalas had never played professionally. He played well, becoming a star on the team. Lalas sc…
After again playing for a disappointing U.S. team at the Summer Olympics in 1996, Lalas was asked to leave Padua to become one of the faces for the MLS in its first season. This was the first professional soccer league in America in a number of years, and having a high profile player like Lalas would bring attention to the young league. He agreed, and was assigned to the New England Revolution. La…
After turning down a chance to play for Bruce Arena when he took over the U.S. national team in late 1998, Lalas was again traded in 1999, this time to the Kansas City Wizards. Though he played decently on a poor team, he decided to retire after the season ended. During his hiatus from soccer, Lalas began a career in broadcasting, covering soccer for ABC, ESPN, and Fox Sports Net, the Olympics for…
Dell Apa, Frank. "Red-Hot: Soccer May Need Lalas' Fiery Image." The News & Record, (April 28, 1996): C8. DeSimone, Bonnie. "Lalas Kicks Back With His Guitar." Seattle Times, (January 31, 2000): D10. Dure, Beau. "Major League Soccer—So What's Up with Alexi Lalas." Seattle Times, (October 17, 1999): C3. French, Scott. "Gala…
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