Alexi Lalas is stupid

Fios · Post by **Fios** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 11:34 am

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story ... 73&cc=5901

Umm ... nope ... I wouldn't even consider myself a casual soccer fan and I know how far off-base that statement is ... I know what he's trying to do but it's just not smart.

Irn-Bru · Post by **Irn-Bru** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 1:17 pm

It's just a publicity stunt; he's trying to grab attention as much as possible. In that same report he said Beckham would have a higher profile in the US than Michael Jordan. :hmm:

But still. . .that comment (regarding the MLS vs EPL) was a stupidly bold thing to say. There's no need to indulge in personal fantasies where millions of people can see them.

UK Skins Fan · Post by **UK Skins Fan** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 1:52 pm

Publicity stunt is right. I have a hard time believing that he's as stupid as he managed to portray himself with those quotes, so I'll assume that he knew what he was doing.

If he was being serious, he certainly doesn't know what he's talking about.

welch · Post by **welch** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 8:15 pm

Clearly nonsense, although I can't imagine why Lalas would say it. Publicity? I like the Guardian, but the story didn't make the sports pages of either the Wash Post or the NY Times. So he accomlished...what? A blip on the ESPN soccer section, where it can be read, with astonishment, by anyone who follows soccer.

But...bigger than Woods? Jordan? In the US? How about the starting catcher for the Nats? As I said when Chinaglia and Best and others played for the Cosmos, "When does Guidry pitch next?"

(Oh, and I like soccer-football a lot. Especially the Premiership. I'm just realistic.)

Fios · Post by **Fios** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 10:52 pm

I actually found the link on the ESPN homepage though I can't speak as to how long it ran there. In the sense that Lalas faces an uphill battle to stand out in the sports landscape, I can understand the motivation. However, being disingenuous about the level of talent strikes me as short-sighted.

BossHog · Post by **BossHog** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 8:12 am

Yeah Lalas is right... American soccer is great. Just look at their record on the world stage. How could anyone think anything else?

That's why the writer had to pick something as innocuous as a goal in a win in a meaningless exhibition game more than a decade ago as a reference point for Lalas' prowess.

He's never done anything else, so this is what the writer pins Lalas' international hat on? :oops:

Maybe Lalas knows that by doing retarded things like trying to get Becks to NOT play in international friendlies, that he can provide some of his American compatriots with a thrill on par with Lalas' personal greatest international moment ever... scoring a goal in a totally pointless exhibition game.

:roll:

Lalas played like he manages... with great mediocrity.

Freddy Adu... biggest American soccer hype ever... what more do you need to say?

Redskin in Canada · Post by **Redskin in Canada** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 6:22 pm

Interesting games tomorrow in the semi-finals of the Gold Cup in Soldier Field. I expect Canada and Mexico going on to the Final.

DESkins · Post by **DESkins** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 3:48 pm

Lalas might have been a mediocre player, and a marginal manager, but he's a decent human being.

UK Skins Fan · Post by **UK Skins Fan** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 12:10 pm

DESkins wrote:Lalas might have been a mediocre player, and a marginal manager, but he's a decent human being.

I'm not sure anybody said he wasn't.

DESkins · Post by **DESkins** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 1:57 pm

Never thought anyone said that he wasn't, or implied it. Just saying that, even though in his profession he might have shortcomings, he's still a decent human being.

Fios · Post by **Fios** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 2:03 pm

DESkins wrote:Never thought anyone said that he wasn't, or implied it. Just saying that, even though in his profession he might have shortcomings, he's still a decent human being.

Does seem an odd thing to say though since it's not really the topic.

Irn-Bru · Post by **Irn-Bru** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 2:20 pm

Alexi Lalas. . .is that you?

DESkins · Post by **DESkins** » Fri Jul 20, 2007 2:59 pm

Nope. Not him. Thought it was still on topic, Fios. Have my reasons for defending his decency. Not to, as I said, defend his record as a player or some of his moves/quotes as a manager.