re: Alexi Lalas: why is he so controversial?

I like what he has to say.

People have thin skin. Alexi tells it like he sees it. People just get their panties in a wad because he doesn't see it the way he does.

He's great TV, knowledgable, connected...he's good at what he does.

quote:

---

knowledgable

---

not when he is up against legit well respected pundits

quote:

---

Lemme guess...European pundits?

---

well they are still on espn.

Like when he got in the pissing match with Ballack. When Ballack was showing he was clearly beyond Alexi's scope he just tried to talk over him and make fun of his English.

he's good at what he does if you agree with him or not.

quote:

---

He is a jackass and has always been a jackass but he is our jackass so we deal with it.

---

This. It seems like he's getting worse, though. His halftime spots on TV or his in-studio stuff is cringe-worthy. I don't follow MLS too closely so I can't really speak on his commentary about that. But I assume it's similar to his stance on anything USMNT. So pompous. So defensive. Instead of just giving an opinion on a US player or the team as a whole, he lets his emotions and butthurt mentality get in the way of any real analysis or banter with his colleagues. I have to think he is awful to work with. He always goes back to that tired arse line he likes to use for when an American player is doing well, and he makes sure to throw in that said player isn't just good for an American, but just a good soccer player in general. It makes sense I guess, but it has gotten really old.

I want to give him the benefit of the doubt because of what he's given for our country's national team through his years of service, and his post-soccer career TV personality stuff. And because I feel like his intentions are good, in his own douchey kind of way. But he just really gets on my nerves sometimes. He's the epitome of the nerdy soccer fan in this county and I have to think any new fans of the game have to be turned off by his delivery and holier than thou demeanor.

quote:

---

he usually replies once, with wit

---

I gotta say. His comebacks to retards on twitter are usually pretty hilarious. It must drive those turds nuts.

quote:

---

I think that stems from his treatment/experience when he played abroad.

---

Probably so. But that was a different time. And it's not like he was an all-world CB anyway. He needs to realize that if we really had any players that could get minutes, or be an important player for a big time Champions League quality club, being an American wouldn't get in the way of that. It's hard for me to believe that in 2014, Wenger, Mou, Van Gaal, etc wouldn't buy a player if he was good enough, simply because he's from America. I could be wrong, but I don't think I am . Surely, the guys that I mentioned and their coaching counterparts around Europe aren't that dumb. They are paid to win. Buying and playing the best players available is what they do. Their jobs depend on it.

Lalas always reminds me in several different ways of the soccer equivalent of Bill Walton. I think they share the aforementioned lobbing out stray opinions, not necessarily their own, just to incite debate is one commonality. They are both imperious, don't consider other's opinions, and they look like each other, to boot. (i.e. soulless)