1v1 with Alexi Lalas: “I lived the power of what a World Cup can do to an individual. It changed my life in every way.”

Summary: This week’s poll: What is your current first choice center back pairing for the U.S. men? Give your answer here: http://fifa.wtf/2dTpgZ9 Alexi Lalas became the face of the U.S. men’s national team during a breakout period for the game in this country. His performance at the ’94 World Cup and his finely tuned public image catapulted him to stardom—and he credits his infatuation with the world of rock music for the way he was able to turn opportunity into celebrity. We discuss his many soccer jobs, from player to team executive to pundit, and why he chose to finish his college degree decades after leaving Rutgers early; his complex relationship with Bora Milutinovic, the coach of that ’94 team; what it was like to play in Italy when the Serie A was the undisputed top league in the world; what went wrong at the ’98 World Cup; and the really important stuff, like the difference between soccer and rock groupies. If you can’t stand him because he plays the provocateur on TV—and we do talk about his many Twitter haters—this interview will make you see him in a new way. And if you’re fascinated by his quintessentially American story, not to mention the lore of the the ’94 World Cup, then you absolutely cannot miss this conversation.                                                                                                                 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices