If we drew up a list of United States soccer figures who have checked the box under all the following categories, it would be a remarkably short gathering:
- Professional soccer player in MLS
- Professional soccer played abroad
- World Cup starter for United States
- MLS general manager
- MLS general manager for both of the league’s highest profile teams, in New York and in Los Angeles
- National Soccer Hall of Famer
- Highfalutin TV voice
Yes, Alexi Lalas is the one man in this country who can check all those distinguished boxes. So, Happy Birthday to a man of varied talents in our game – and real gentleman, to boot.
Lalas turns 43 today.