Los Angeles Galaxy president and general manager Alexi Lalas became the sixth former Major League Soccer player to enter into the National Soccer Hall of Fame on Monday, as he was inducted alongside U.S. women's national team star Carla Overbeck, former U.S. national team member Al Trost and his own boss in soccer pioneer Philip Anschutz.
Lalas is one of the most recognized U.S. soccer players ever, as his media-friendly personality and long red hair and goatee became ingrained in the minds of soccer fans the world over during his illustrious career. Lalas was a member of two World Cup teams, helping the U.S. reach the second round of the 1994 tournament as the host nation. He would go on to play seven seasons in Major League Soccer before turning to the business side of the sport following his retirement.
"I think that unfortunately, my generation probably gets a little too much credit for making a positive impact," Lalas said. "The fact is that even before myself and my colleagues were playing there were men and women that were working so hard on and off the field for years, and in some cases decades."
Yet it wasn't until Lalas and his teammates captured the attention of millions in 1994 that soccer began to firmly implant itself in the U.S. sporting landscape. The success of that team as the host nation of the World Cup, which fell to eventual champion Brazil in the round of 16, led to the creation of Major League Soccer, of which Lalas was a founding player.
"When we brought him back, it was an extraordinarily important event for us," said U.S. soccer president Sunil Gulati, who introduced Lalas at the induction ceremony. "His commitment to coming back and leaving Serie A ... can't be over emphasized."
Indeed, Lalas did have a major impact, as he instantly became one of the league's most popular and accomplished defenders during stints with the New England Revolution (1996-1997), the MetroStars (now New York Red Bulls, 1998), the Kansas City Wizards (1999) and finally the Galaxy (2001-2003).
Lalas was a five time MLS All-Star, a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup champion in 2001 and a member of the MLS Best XI in 2002 when the Galaxy captured their first MLS Cup title. Lalas was also a regular on the U.S. national team, racking up 96 caps.
"I've said this before: I recognize that I wasn't the best player ever to play the game, but I knew what I was good at," Lalas said. "I brought a passion, on and off the field. I love putting on a show. I always considered myself a performer and an entertainer ... and I loved that aspect of it. To be completely honest with you, I miss that."
But Lalas is still working to do his best at entertaining U.S. soccer fans, having turned his attention to the business side of the game, first as the general manager of the San Jose Earthquakes, then the president and general manager of the MetroStars/Red Bulls and now as the Galaxy's top official.
"I'd like to think of (induction into the National Soccer Hall of Fame) as the end a chapter as opposed to a bookend," Lalas said. "I've got a lot more to do and I look forward to continuing to help soccer in different ways.
"This is a work in progress. Obviously I can't run around the field anymore, but I can still effect change to this game that I know and love and I believe that there are some incredible things coming down the line whether it's for Major League Soccer or for U.S. Soccer, individual players, teams and the sport in general. I just want to continue to be a positive influence and make an impact on this game that has given so much to me."
Jonathan Nierman is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
