Alexi Lalas on possibly coaching USA men's soccer: 'I would do it for free'
The future of the United States men's national team is now a center of attention after the team failed to escape the group stage of Copa América, which led to the dismissal of head coach Gregg Berhalter. A massive search led by U.S. Soccer Federation sporting director Matt Crocker is now underway, with a current focus on coaches with European soccer experience, per FOX Sports USMNT insider Doug McIntyre.
But FOX Sports Soccer Analyst Alexi Lalas, who supported Berhalter's ouster, said on social media Tuesday that he would "absolutely" throw his hat in the ring if ever asked by the USSF. "I would do it for free," Lalas said in response to a question about his interest in the job if he was ever approached.
Lalas went more in-depth on that scenario when asked by Jason McIntyre during the the July 3 edition of "The Herd."
"If the United States soccer federation came to me and asked me to coach this team, I would do it in a second out of a sense of responsibility and, yeah, out of a sense of confidence, maybe even bordering on arrogance in terms of what I feel that we could do with this group … hell yeah, they should be so lucky to have someone like me leading this team," Lalas said.
[USMNT coaching rumors tracker: Latest buzz on who USA will hire]
As a player, Lalas — host of the "State of the Union" podcast — spent two seasons in Serie A with Padova (1994-95, 1995-96) before spending seven seasons in MLS, split between the New England Revolution (1996-97), MetroStars (1998), Kansas City Wizards (1999) and LA Galaxy (2001-03).
Lalas, a defender, was also part of two American World Cup rosters (1994 and 1998). He went on to serve as the president/general manager of the San Jose Earthquakes in MLS from 2004-05 and then general manager of the MetroStars/New York Red Bulls from 2005-06 and president of the LA Galaxy from 2006-08, during which the Galaxy signed English soccer superstar David Beckham. He doesn't have any coaching experience.
Can the USMNT recover from crashing out of Copa América?
Over six years and two separate stints as USMNT head coach, Berhalter led the team to a 44-17-13 win-draw-loss record, highlighted by the team's return to the FIFA Men's World Cup in 2022 and qualification for the knockout stage of that tournament. The 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup, which the U.S. will co-host with Mexico and Canada, is seen as the most important in the history of the USMNT. Lalas was a key member of the last USMNT squad to play a World Cup on home soil in 1994.
The USMNT began its Group C play in Copa América with a 2-0 win over Bolivia. Then, it lost to Panama, 2-1, assisted by Tim Weah picking up a red card in the 18th minute, resulting in America being down a player on the pitch the rest of the game. To cap off the disappointment, it lost to Uruguay in its final game of group play, 1-0, while Panama beat Bolivia, 3-1, ending America's run.
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