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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Lalas enjoyed successful playing career</li><li>Moved into broadcasting after hanging up his boots</li><li>Is well-known for his colorful opinions</li></ul>

'F*ck them' - Alexi Lalas 'puts on a costume' for live TV as ex-USMNT star admits he's a 'performer' and doesn't care if people like him

CONCACAF Nations League

Jamaica

Lalas won almost 100 caps for the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/alexi-lalas-symbol-usmnt-changed-american-soccer-forever/blt711de49236583e7c" target="_blank">United States men's national team during his career</a> before moving into broadcasting. The 54-year-old is now well known for his bold opinions that regularly catch the eye both on screen, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/ex-usmnt-star-alexi-lalas-explains-why-wrexham-ryan-reynolds-rob-mcelhenney-not-helping-mls-american-soccer-necaxa/blt1fdd900f5e6c6833" target="_blank">through his podcast</a> and <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/fans-call-alexi-lalas-banned-speaking-soccer-ex-usmnt-where-best-mls-team-finish-premier-league-lione-messi-inter-miami/blt9ed6ee36e0f1a3b6#cs5ff34baacfa48e9e" target="_blank">on social media</a>. Lalas' takes often draw fierce responses from fans across the globe but he's not too bothered about those that disagree with him.

WHAT HAPPENED?

He told <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5570585/2024/06/19/lalas-holden-fox-usmnt-copa-america/?source=twitteruk&amp;utm_campaign=twitterfc&amp;utm_medium=social" target="_blank">The Athletic</a>: "I’m in the entertainment business. I am a performer. When you say that, sometimes people cringe. By no means am I saying that I can’t be authentic and genuine. But I recognise the way I say something is as important as what I say.“When I go on TV, I put on a costume and when that red light goes on, I don’t want people changing the channel. I don’t care if you like me or you don’t. I am as human as I possibly can be with the recognition that, on television, things have to be bigger and bolder.”Lalas also admitted he doesn't fear a backlash fans from about his opinions."Life’s too short and f*ck them,” he added. "Ultimately, I’m talking about soccer. I know we get incredibly passionate and emotional about these things — something I love about sports. I try to be honest and sometimes it comes off in different ways and people perceive it differently. It’s one thing over a keyboard but it’s a very different type of interaction in normal life. There are people that come up to me who disagree with me but we have a cordial, civil and respectful conversation, even if we vehemently disagree about things on and off the soccer field.”

WHAT LALAS SAID

Lalas has caught the eye throughout the current season by sharing his thoughts on a range of topics. Fans called on him to be <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/fans-call-alexi-lalas-banned-speaking-soccer-ex-usmnt-where-best-mls-team-finish-premier-league-lione-messi-inter-miami/blt9ed6ee36e0f1a3b6" target="_blank">"banned from speaking about soccer"</a> after he predicted a mid-table Premier League finish for the best team in MLS. The former defender has also claimed Wrexham owners <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/ex-usmnt-star-alexi-lalas-explains-why-wrexham-ryan-reynolds-rob-mcelhenney-not-helping-mls-american-soccer-necaxa/blt1fdd900f5e6c6833" target="_blank">Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are not helping US Soccer,</a> has spoken out <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/both-goals-nothing-alexi-lalas-suggests-lionel-messi-magical-moments-mls-overhyped-inter-miami-star-nashville/bltd96c04f60465c52d" target="_blank">about overhyping Lionel Messi</a> and <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/alexi-lalas-sarcastic-dig-mls-referees-lockout-ends/blteff59f9a7df046bc" target="_blank">taken aim at MLS officials</a>.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Fans can expect to hear plenty from Lalas during the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/usmnt-copa-america-2024-squad-gregg-berhalter/bltcf93955aa970423d" target="_blank">Copa America</a> as the USMNT go for glory on home soil. The Stars and Stripes play their first group game against Bolivia on Saturday before going on to face Panama and Uruguay.

WHAT NEXT 

'F*ck them' - Alexi Lalas 'puts on a costume' for live TV as ex-USMNT star admits he's a 'performer' and doesn't care if people like him | Goal.com

Former USMNT star and broadcaster Alexi Lalas has opened up on his on-screen persona and admits he doesn&apos;t care about being popular.

&apos;F*ck them&apos; - Alexi Lalas &apos;puts on a costume&apos; for live TV as ex-USMNT star admits he&apos;s a &apos;performer&apos; and doesn&apos;t care if people like him