SECAUCUS, N.J. - The MetroStars will host a press conference introducing their new President and General Manager Alexi Lalas to the New York media on Tuesday, June 14, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. ET at The 40/40 Club, located on 25th Street between 6th Avenue and Broadway in Manhattan.
On Monday, June 13, 2005 the MetroStars and their parent company, Anschutz Entertainment Group, announced that Lalas would fill the void left by Nick Sakiewicz, who was promoted to President, AEG Soccer, New York/New Jersey. Alexi Lalas comes to the MetroStars from the San Jose Earthquakes, where he oversaw all business and soccer operations as the club's President and General Manager since January 27, 2004. During his first year as the team's President and General Manager in 2004, the 'Quakes enjoyed a 24 percent boost in overall attendance and a 70 percent increase in group ticket sales from the 2003 season. This season, he built on the significant progress he made in '04 and continued to establish relationships with key members of the San Jose political, business and public communities.
Lalas joined the Earthquakes after an outstanding soccer career that began with his first cap on the U.S. national team in 1991. An Olympian in 1992 and 1996, Lalas was a member of the United States' 1994 World Cup team and in 1995, he was named U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year. On the international club level, Lalas became the only American player ever to play in Italy's Serie A, as he signed with Padova in 1994 and scored three goals during the 1994-1995 season.
He has long been one of the leading figures and most familiar faces in United States soccer and he cemented his place in MLS history by making five all-star appearances over his seven-year career and garnering MLS Best XI honors in 2002. Lalas' MLS career began with the New England Revolution, who he played with for two seasons and then moved on to the MetroStars in 1998. He spent one season with the Kansas City Wizards in 1999 before retiring for the 2000 season. However, he returned to MLS in 2001 and appeared in 59 games for the Los Angeles Galaxy over the next three years. As a member of the Galaxy, he captured the 2000 F.C. Champions Cup, the 2001 U.S. Open Cup, and the 2002 MLS Cup Championship.
WHO: MetroStars President and General Manager Alexi Lalas
WHAT: Press Conference
WHERE: The 40/40 Club, (6 West 25th Street between 6th Avenue and Broadway, Manhattan)
WHEN: Tuesday, June 14 2005 2:00 p.m. ET
ABOUT THE 40/40 CLUB: The 40/40 CLUB, an all American sports bar and lounge owned by hip hop mogul Jay Z and partners Desiree Gonzalez and Juan Perez, (6 West 25th Street between 6th Avenue and Broadway) opened its doors to the public on June 18, 2003. Created by the three longtime friends, 40/40 is 12,000 square feet of pure sports and entertainment in an opulent lounge settling, providing a unique experience not found elsewhere in New York City.
