Who is Alexi Lalas? US soccer legend to call FOX Sports’ coverage of 2022 World Cup in Qatar
NATIONAL Soccer Hall of Famer Alexi Lalas is heading to Qatar.
Lalas, 52, will be a part of Fox Sports' team covering the 2022 World Cup.
The former USMNT defender is set to join the likes of Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan, and Carli Lloyd in providing a player's perspective throughout the tournament.
Known for his long flowing hair and striking beard, Lalas was a staple for the USMNT's defense for the majority of the 1990s.
His career began in earnest at Rutgers, where Lalas was named a captain three times.
With the 6ft3 defender at the heart of their lineup, the Scarlet Knights won two Atlantic 10 Championships, with Lalas named to the Atlantic 10 All-Conference team on three occasions.
Read More on The World Cup
After representing the U.S. at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Lalas trained with former Arsenal defender Bob McNab in Los Angeles.
Lalas later told USA Arsenal's website: "I drove out there to train with him because he wanted to see what I was all about. And I guess I passed that initial test, and he was able to set me up with a little trial during the winter of ’92."
He continued: "I trained with the Reserves. It was a very eye-opening experience to be over there, and to be running the steps at Highbury with Tony Adams, and Paul Merson.
"Ian Wright picked me up for breakfast and took me out to dinner. It was an interesting experience."
Most read in Soccer
While Lalas may not have signed for the Gunners, he went on to star for the USMNT at the 1994 World Cup which truly kickstarted his career.
Lalas explained: "I lived the power of what a World Cup can do to an individual.
"In 1994, my world changed and a whole world opened up to me and I was so fortunate to be given opportunities."
Lalas subsequently signed for Serie A side, Padova, where he played 90 minutes in all but one league game that season.
He remained in Italy for another year on loan from the upstart MLS, before making the move to the New England Revolution for the 1996 season.
Barring a brief stint with Ecuadorian side Emelec in 1997, Lalas spent the remainder of his career in the MLS, playing for the MetroStars and the Kansas City Wizards before retiring for the first time in 1999.
While he did come out of retirement in 2001 to play for LA Galaxy, it was just another three seasons later that Lalas retired for a second, and final time.
Lalas followed his playing career with one in the front office as the president and general manager of the San Jose Earthquakes, MetroStars/New York Red Bull, and finally LA Galaxy.
He swiftly ventured into the broadcasting world with ESPN where he spent six years before heading to his current home at Fox Sports.
This will be Lalas' seventh consecutive World Cup as a broadcaster, and when speaking to the LA Times, he described the impending tournament as a "dream" for many.
Read More on The US Sun
Read More on The US Sun
He explained: "This is, for many that are going to play in a World Cup, the realization of a dream. From a broadcast perspective, and certainly from my perspective, this is our World Cup too."
Not that Lalas has also covered the MLS, UEFA European Championships, and FIFA Confederations Cups.
