21 Facts About Alexi Lalas

Panayotis Alexander "Alexi" Lalas is an American retired soccer player who played mostly as a defender.

Alexi Lalas is best known for his participation with the United States men's national soccer team in the 1994 FIFA World Cup, where he was a standout player on the team with his distinctive long beard and hair.

Alexi Lalas' playing style was characterized by physical ability and endurance.

Alexi Lalas was elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2006.

Alexi Lalas was born in Birmingham, Michigan, United States, to a Greek father, Demetrios Alexi Lalas and an American mother, Anne Harding Woodworth.

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Alexi Lalas's father was a professor who later became the director of Greece's national observatory, while his mother is a widely published poet.

Alexi Lalas speaks Spanish and Italian in addition to his native English and Greek.

Alexi Lalas's younger brother, Greg Lalas, is a retired professional soccer player and currently the Chief Marketing Officer at United Soccer League.

Alexi Lalas was rated for the Ontario Hockey League Midget draft in 1987, but was ultimately not selected.

Alexi Lalas attended Rutgers University, where he played on the men's soccer team from 1988 to 1991.

Alexi Lalas was named a third-team All-American in 1989 and 1990.

Alexi Lalas resumed his education in 2013, when Rutgers began offering enough online classes to fulfill what Lalas required to graduate.

Alexi Lalas took 12 classes and 36 credits over 10 months to finish what he jokingly called "a 26-year plan", earning a bachelor's degree in English with a minor in music in May 2014.

Alexi Lalas then returned home in Detroit and spent a month reluctant about his future in soccer before coach Bora Milutinovic invited him for the United States tryouts in Mission Viejo, California.

Alexi Lalas was a regular on the Revs backline during the 1996 and 1997 seasons.

Alexi Lalas earned 96 caps, scoring nine goals, with the United States national team between 1991 and 1998.

Alexi Lalas went on to start and play all ninety minutes in the four U S games of the 1994 FIFA World Cup and was named an honorable mention All-Star.

Alexi Lalas scored in a game against Saudi Arabia, in which the United States had their biggest comeback in their history .

Alexi Lalas served as President and General Manager of the San Jose Earthquakes during the 2004 and 2005 MLS seasons.

Alexi Lalas served as President of the LA Galaxy from 2006 to 2008 during which time the club signed David Beckham.

Alexi Lalas appeared in both FIFA 16 and FIFA 17, by EA Sports, as a legend card having a solid 86 rated center back card in both iterations of the game.