Interview by Ibrahim Dabo
Excitement is mounting and the drums will soon be sounding in emphatic fashion as South Africa hosts the world’s most prestigious sporting event—the World Cup—for the first time on African soil. There has also been some very interesting analysis amongst football analysts and fans alike on how teams will fair in the tournament.
In this Ib’s Blog World Cup Special, we feature Alexi Lalas, who played for the U.S.A in the 1994 World Cup. Mr. Lalas, former general manager and president of both the New York Red Bulls and Los Angeles Galaxy of the Major League Soccer, now works for ESPN. He talks exclusively to Ib’s Blog about his country’s chances in next summer’s event, his thoughts on the ‘Group of Death,’ and much more.
In Group C, much emphasis is geared toward the opener between the U.S. and England, and while most experts have tipped England as favorites, Lalas is nonetheless happy with the draw.
“It was the easiest draw that we’ve ever had,” Lalas said while also maintaining words of caution that anything can happen in a World Cup.
“There could have been much worse groups—we have been in worse groups before. So I think against England in the first game… they are good but I think the U.S. can find a way to get points in that game. Ultimately, if you can’t find a way to get points against Algeria and Slovenia, then you don’t deserve to go on,” he said.
He said some difficulties the U.S. will encounter include set pieces, free kicks, and the ability to win balls in the air against England considering the pace of English football and even climatic conditions in South Africa.
“It’s going to probably be a pretty fast game. But I believe with some of the talents that we have, and being the underdogs in that game, it’s to the advantage of the United States,” Lalas said.
“He’s going to Milan specifically to increase his chances of being on England’s World Cup team,” Lalas said.
“Ultimately, I think he’ll make the roster and be used as a substitute. I think he’ll come in the second half against the U.S. It will be a wonderful moment for the Galaxy, MLS and U.S. Soccer to have Donovan and Beckham on the field together in a World Cup.”
Lalas said at some point in time you have to be able to defend, citing a weakness on the part of English relating to goalkeeping.
“From a U.S. perspective, Tim Howard, I think, is one of the best goalkeepers in the world,” Lalas said. “And so it’s nice to have him in the net for the United States because for sure against England and other teams, he’s going to be called upon at different points to not just make the save but make the saves that keeps the U.S. in the game and maybe even in the tournament.”
He said Algeria came through a very difficult qualifying campaign and especially at the end, they showed a “very wonderful spirit to get through Egypt in that crazy environment,” adding that these challenges will help the team in their development. He said Slovenia knocking off Russia during the qualifying phase came as a surprise to a lot of people.
“So this isn’t the situation where Slovenia or Algeria is going to give the U.S. three points,” Lalas said, adding that if he had to look at the group and say who is number one, two, three and four, he would think most people in the world will consider England and the U.S. number one and two, respectively.
“And then I look at both of the teams, although they have very different styles, I look at them on the same level in terms of ability between Algeria and Slovenia. Both are challenging but ultimately for the U.S., both are teams that we should beat,” Lalas said.
“So much just changed in a relatively short period of time since the 1994 World Cup. But without the 1994 World Cup, none of this happens. So I’m very, very optimistic about the future of soccer in the United States and it is because of things like the 1994 World Cup that we are able to be talking about, right now, a U.S. team that is going to the World Cup and we have much higher expectations now,” Lalas said.
While maintaining that the team should progress through Group C, he also spoke on the need for an ongoing U.S. presence in the World Cup.
“Qualifying is not even a question,” Lalas said. “We should always qualify. And then now we expect our team to come out of the group. In 1994, we didn’t expect anything.”
“It’s actually an advantage because now they have done their work in the group stage, they know what’s going on, they have the experience but then they are in the underdog role,” he said, adding that for many years, the U.S. has played the underdog role very well and used it to their advantage.
“The more opportunities that we have to be the underdogs, I think the more success we have. Sometimes when we struggle is when we are the favorites,” Lalas said.
“It’s too bad because the second round is not going to have either an Ivory Coast with Didier Drogba playing, or a Brazil and Kaka playing, or a Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo. One of those teams and players aren’t going to be there, so that makes it a very difficult group,” Lalas said.
“I think that teams like Spain and Italy got relatively easier groups and I think they will be happy with the groups that they are in. I will be very interested to see Group A, especially with all the controversy surrounding France, to see how it plays out on the field. I actually think it’s an evenly matched group and unfortunately, maybe for South Africa, they have a group that’s not easy for them.
“They’re probably the weakest in that group and for a host nation, it’s too bad that they got that but you never know what’s going to happen when a host nation plays.”
“It’s something that I enjoy and it’s something that’s very interesting to me,” Lalas said about his role on TV.
“It’s also a different lifestyle. I’ve spent much more time with my family and to still stay involved in football but in a different way,” he said.
He said he will continue to work for ESPN in the next few years and will also be in South Africa covering the World Cup. “It’s a wonderful new job and I am enjoying it,” Lalas said.
Also see:
· Exclusive Interview: Former England Ntl. Team Psychologist Bill Beswick Tips England To Win World Cup
· CAF Unveil Five-man Shortlist For 2009 African Player Of The year
· Exclusive Interview: Obi Mikel Eyes Champions League and Premiership
· Exclusive Interview: Salomon Kalou Anticipates A Great Season
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