Alexi Lalas

Alexi Lalas has transitioned from a prominent American soccer player to a successful executive and respected sports analyst. After a collegiate career that saw him earn the Hermann Trophy and Missouri Athletic Club Player of the Year award in 1991, Alexi Lalas went on to become a pivotal figure in American soccer. He represented the United States at the 1992 Summer Olympics and earned third place in the 1993 Copa América with the USMNT, also reaching the runner-up position in the 1993 CONCACAF Gold Cup. His standout performance in the 1994 FIFA World Cup propelled him to international recognition, and following the tournament, Lalas made history in 1994 as the first American to play in Italy’s Serie A, joining Calcio Padova where he played until 1996.

He was named U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year in 1995 and featured as an overage player in the 1996 Summer Olympics. Returning to the United States, Lalas played in Major League Soccer (MLS), earning MLS All-Star selections in 1996, 1997, 1998, and 1999 while playing for the New England Revolution, MetroStars, Kansas City Wizards, and Los Angeles Galaxy. He achieved significant success with The Galaxy, winning the CONCACAF Champions’ Cup in 2000, the Lamar Hunt U.S.

He also co-hosts the widely listened-to podcast ‘State of the Union’, focusing on American soccer. In addition to his sports career, Lalas has pursued a musical career, releasing several solo albums and performing with his band, The Gypsies. Further showcasing his commitment to personal development, Lalas graduated from Rutgers University in 2014.