Anyone see this interview? Alexi took questions from callers for at least a half hour, and man did he get reamed. I'm not a Galaxy fan or Lalas fan, so I didn't have a dog in this fight. I have to say that I think he acquitted himself rather well; regardless of the job he's doing with L.A., he kept his composure and treated every caller with respect. Disclaimer: This is my first post in the MLS forum, so I have no idea what the prevailing opinion is on here of Alexi.
Thread in the Galaxy forum: https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=595155 Some BigSoccer guys made it on the program.
Lalas did mention that ESPN put him under TREMENDOUS pressure to play Beckham. He says that he doesn't care what players do when they leave the team. Players brought up were people like Herculez Gomez, Sturgis (a great young player, IMO) and Findley. One caller said, okay, so if all these players leave and do better when they leave is that about them or more likely about the coach/management. Great point, and he was kind of left shell-shocked by that.
Alexi offered up nothing but little phrases for responses. An example, a fan called up deriding his moves as a GM, AL's response was that he doesn't care what the discarded player accomplishes, his only concern is with the incoming player. The only players discussed were Klein and Findley. He was trying to say that Klein's Superliga goal makes up for Findley helping RSL defeat LAG by scoring and beating his former side. Steve Cohen and Nick Webster gave AL a free pass. Neither followed up the question by asking, "Well, ALexi, you gave up 2 players for Chris Klein, the SuperLiga goal notwithstanding, are you happy with Klein's performance? Alexi spoke like a true politician. His answers meant nothing. When asked about playing Becks after he played 90 in England the day before, AL responded by saying that if he has a David Beckham at X percentage, the LAG are still better off playing DB considering how injury riddled the team was. But, hindsight being 20/20, he might do it differently today. Then, AL states, look, it's a process. We're all learning how to deal with this. We've never had this before in MLS. If I were an MLS owner, I'd make sure Alexi Lalas never has the opportunity again. As a fan, I would hope that LAG gets rid of him. If he doesn't have the brains to tell Yallop and Beckham that considering Becks's ankle is swollen and he just played 90 the day before, he shopuld give it a rest. Watching Beckham try to run that night was painful. Steve Cohen at least banged the table when he asked how LAG could put him out there. As Steve said, he doesn't even know of 17 year olds playing back to back 90's on consecutive days. Then add in a 6,000 mile plane trip to boot, then add in an injury. I do want to thank Steve and Nick for getting AL on the show. I really enjoy seeing MLS get some coverage even if it was Lalas. It was enlightening to see Alexi dance through the questions. I am so glad, he left NY for his SuperClub.
I personally thought that Nick and especially Steve asked some pretty tough questions, especially pertaining to Beckham being played in the two consecutive games on an already tender ankle. Look, whatever you may think of AL as a GM, he didn't have to come on the show and have his ass handed to him. Surely he expected it. I got the sense that he did it because he felt it would be good for MLS, and good for the game in this country (to whatever small degree). I give him credit for that.
Quoted for truth. Great summary. If anyobe watched that last night and didn't have their confidence in Lalas deteriorated worse then they most likely are the type to be pursuaded by Bush and his boys.
This brings me back to his New York days. He answered every tough question without really answering it or deflecting with 'humor'. This tact only seems to work when you are winning. People buy in then. But when you don't win, you get called on your BS in a big way as we are seeing now.
Someone asked why season ticket prices were going up if they were losing, and Lalas said he would be pleasantly surprised. Someone said that Martino and Vagenas shouldn't be on the field. But even if Lalas agrees with them, he can't be expected to say it out loud. Some caller said Lalas was an idiot if he let Beckham play for England instead of MLS Cup. Lalas kept his cool, and calmly told the guy there was nothing he could do about a FIFA blackout date. Lalas took responsibility for not stopping the schedule jam at the end of the season. What I think is happening, is that right now, for Lalas, MLS is a slight priority over the Galaxy. Lalas wants soccer in America to succeed so bad, that he couldn't let Beckham not play against Chelsea, or else that would have been a disaster. Same with his MLS debut against DC United. In doing so, hes risked Beckham's health, but I also think Beckham is too strong-willed. Becks wants to play every game as long as he can. I think Lalas and Yallop are trying to keep Becks satisfied by giving into to some demands when they are unwarranted. Would Beckham even be here if it weren't for Lalas? And is it a fair tradeoff to have the Galaxy play poorly if MLS has gained the incredible boost that it has? On paper, the Galaxy have some above average players. I think the blame should fall on Yallop moreso than Lalas. However, why he plays in that Chivas game is beyond me. I'll give you that. Its Fox Football Fone-In btw
Sorry i don't take orders from random douchebags on this site. If you had a problem with my post...thats why there is a PM function and/or report a post function. Now piss off.
Lalas is a chump and he kept saying I take responsibility...what a joke if he really did then he would admit to his mistakes *bad trades/ bad product. How many pro soccer teams do you know would have kept yallop or there GM on a team with only 3 wins. There are 3 superstars like landon, Becks, X man. Lets be real the guy is an idiot...but someone please tell how he is able to get GM jobs.....how long can he ride the 1994 WC. help
Someone said he had a 30% win percentage as a GM in MLS and asked him if he would fire himself if he was Leiwikie. He gave a bullshit PR response and tried to be cool laid back Alexi.