Alexi Lalas Added to FOX Sports’ Expanding Soccer Coverage Team

New York – Alexi Lalas, a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame and one of the sport’s most recognizable personalities, joins FOX Sports to serve its family of channels as a studio and game analyst. The announcement was made today by John Entz, Executive Vice President, Production. Lalas is expected to make his on-air debut sometime next month.

Best known as a standout defender on the U.S. Men’s National Team during the 1994 World Cup, Lalas joins host Rob Stone, Warren Barton and former USMNT teammates Eric Wynalda and recently-added Brad Friedel as key members of FOX Sports’ soccer team.  He is set to contribute to FOX Sports’ coverage of the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, England’s FA Cup, Major League Soccer, USMNT matches, UEFA European Championship Qualifiers and FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2015.

“We are very pleased to be able to add one of the sport’s true stars to our exceptional roster of on-air soccer experts,” said Entz. “He has a Hall of Fame pedigree, and comes to us with decades of experience on and off the field.  His dynamic personality and passion for the game is evident every time the red light goes on."

“I am really thrilled to join FOX Sports and work on the terrific lineup of soccer properties they’ve assembled over the last few years," said Lalas. “I’ve been impressed with the quality and depth of FOX’s soccer coverage and I’m excited to contribute to the overall effort and help grow the sport I love.”

Lalas joins FOX Sports from ESPN, where he was the lead studio analyst for the network’s coverage of the 2006, 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups. He also provided analysis on Major League Soccer, USMNT Team matches and international soccer events including the UEFA European Championships and FIFA Confederations Cups.

Lalas’ soccer background extends far beyond his broadcasting career. One of the best defenders in American soccer history, Lalas was elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2006.  He was the first American to play in Italy’s top division, Serie A, with club Padova, before moving to the MLS in 1996, the league’s inaugural season.  He enjoyed much of his on-field success with the LA Galaxy, winning the CONCACAF Champions Cup, the U.S. Open Cup and the MLS Cup. Following his retirement in 2002, he was appointed the general manager of the San Jose Earthquakes; he served the same role with the LA Galaxy in 2008 before joining ESPN.