Five Questions with Alexi Lalas
Media Interviews August 28th. 2009, 12:15pm
Yesterday during a media workshop, Alexi Lalas made a bold statement: The former US National team player and MLS general manager matter-of-factly stated that Landon Donovan was “one of the Top 20 players in the world.” We’re fans of Donovan’s work – especially recently – but found the statement preposterous. A brief, “PTI-like” (not our words) exchanged occurred. (See here and here.) Afterward, we asked Lalas a five quick soccer questions.
1. Will Portugal make the 2010 World Cup?
Yes.
2. Will DeMarcus Beasley make the US National team roster for next summer’s World Cup?
No.
3. Will Jozy Altidore become the best goal scorer in US soccer history?
These are just yes and no things? Ahhhh, no.
4. Does Bob Bradley deserve more criticism for his coaching decisions in the loss to Mexico earlier this month?
Does he deserve more? Yeah, I think it was glossed over to a certain extent because of things that we talked about and the soccer part of it I think deserved more critical analysis.
5. What position/area of the US National team currently worries you most heading into next summer’s World Cup?
Midfield. Defensively we’re solid, goalkeeper without a doubt we’re good, the back line I think is good, and I think we have guys who can score goals. I think defensive midfield right now is questionable, and whoever ends up being the two guys is important. Right now we have a lot of guys who can play defensive midfield – Clark, Bradley, Mastroeni – these are all guys who play the same type of position. When playing with Clark and Michael Bradley, neither one of them has the ability or creativity to go forward. We had a lack of possession against Mexico – we had nobody who could hold the ball, withstand the pressure and get out of tight situations.
28 Responses to “Five Questions with Alexi Lalas”
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August 28th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
I don’t think Donovan is top 20 in the world, but I can say he’s the most underrated player in the world and not bat an eyelash.
August 28th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
I really think you should’ve asked him (read: paid him) to go back to the vagabond nomad look or at least why he gave it up.
August 28th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Soccer? Yabba Dabba Do
August 28th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
Peeks head in thread….
soccer. no one here….
Yabba Dabba DO!
August 28th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
most underrated in the world? i’ll wait for duffy to tackle that one.
August 28th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
now it posts! I thought the lunchlady ate it
August 28th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
I’ve been a harsh Donovan critic in the past, but this year he’s been amazing. He probably is top 20 in the world when used correctly out on the wing. He’s definitely one of the top 20 hardest working on the pitch.
August 28th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
Donovan is a world class player, and should be at least in the conversation at number 20. Lalas is wrong on number 5. The most troublesome part of the U.S. is their flank play, not their midfield. This idea of having someone holding the ball in midfield or as an attacker is something oft repeated, but means really nothing. How often do you see one player on the top teams in the world “holding” the ball for any length of time. It is about maintaining possession, not just one player holding. Bradley and Clark needed to do a better job of relieving the backline pressure by showing to the ball but then we need better flank play to transition into the attack. Bradley sucks at tactics almost as much as he sucks at putting together a line-up. Oh, a Jozy will become the U.S. all-time leading scorer.
August 28th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
If he is underrated, he has to bear at least some of the blame for his unwillingness to ply his trade in one of the bigger leagues. No MLS player is going to get his due on an international level until he proves himself on a weekly basis against the best.
August 28th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
Should have asked him what it was like to run 2 MLS franchises into the ground.
August 28th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
I was thoroughly impressed with Lalas as a player until he made the ill-fated decision to leave Serie A. And I have always been less than impressed with him as a commenter, but at least he is not former teammate Marcelo Balboa, Ty Keough, or worst of all Julie Foudy.
August 28th, 2009 at 12:48 pm
Should have asked him what it was like to run 2 MLS franchises into the ground.
tbl’s saving that question for Isiah Thomas
August 28th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
+3
This is one of the finest football analyses ever posted on here. Take note TBL Godfather, and perhaps also Duffy. Definitely as for years the problem is most of all with the defensive and midfield flanks.
Yankeehooligan keep the good stuff coming, as stuffy Duffy needs some additional showing up on here as well for that matter.
August 28th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
I love donovan and what he can bring to the table, but claiming he’s top 20 in the world in laughable. Rooney, kaka, ronaldo, messi, eto’ imbraimovich, john terry, vidic, ribery, iker casillas, carlos tevez, robinho, gattuso, pirlo, pato sneijder, robben, van persie, adebayor agbonlahor and ashley young are all better than Donovan.
Now, underrated? Absolutely. I won’t say he’s the most underrated player today, but he’s certainly damn close. His performances during this calendar year have really improved and he looks like he’s ready to grab european soccer by the throat when he gets over there. I expect him to have a successful winter leading up to WC2010
August 28th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
Was this interview done in person? Was Lalas in a crappy mood or something? His answers seem…well…..curt.
August 28th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
Tossing out the non-forwards or midfielders on that list since you can really compare skill sets, I’d take Donovan over Tevez, Robinho, Gattuso, and Agbonlahor on that list. I don’t rate Tevez for skill. He’s a rich man’s Dirk Kuyt. Robinho is mentally weak. His skills are great, but he’s proven he’s not the superstar people believed he would be. Gattuso is s shadow of his former self. Agbonlahor is a great athlete, but he’s raw skillwise.
August 28th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
to add to mancitys list: Torres, Gerrad, Drogba
August 28th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
@johndewar ESPN had some sort of media type day in Bristol, I believe that perhaps TBL was invited so he probably cornered lalas real quick. The goal scoring question kinda hints to that
August 28th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
Donovan is probably underrated because most European and South Americans seem to think he is a joke and he clearly is not. Saying he is in the top 20 is however, laughable. He would not crack the starting line-up of most world class club teams and would not be the star of virtually any second tier top division clubs.
August 28th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
Lalas is an ass-clown to the fullest extent… that is all.
August 28th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
What has Landon Donovan done to prove he is a top 20 player in the world?
Nothing.
He’s a non-entity at club level.
You can huff, puff and blow the MLS up as much as you want to. It’s not a top caliber league. It’s not at the standard of top or even second-tier European leagues. It’s not at the standard of top South American leagues. It’s not at the standard of the Mexican league. Succeeding there proves nothing.
Germany is, at best, the third best league in Europe. He has been run out of there in less than a year both times he went.
He has been a very good player, at times, for the national team, but against weak CONCACAF competition, which is, for lack of a better term, shit. The only Concacaf country worth a damn outside it is Mexico.
If he were a top 20 player in the world, he would easily walk into the first team at Manchester United, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Barcelona, or Inter Milan. He is nowhere near that level.
He has talent. There’s no doubting that. But, he has in no way proven he’s a great player. If you believe that, you are a victim of the U.S. Soccer promotional campaign and I pity you.
August 28th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
@partager,
if he says one of the best 20 players, then you cant fall back on positions. Soccer players are soccer players, and Casillas is infintely better than Donovan.
August 28th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Its funny. The more I think about this statement the more angry I become. The notion that he is a top 20 player in the world does such a diservice to US soccer. It gives people a false understanding of where our players are, where they need to get, and what to expect on the world stage. Delusions like this lead to dissapointment which leads to frustration which leads to fewer people embracing the sport.
August 28th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
@maxwell
I agree. It’s one thing to say that Donovan is a world class player (which he is) its another to throw his name out as one of the best 20 players in the world. Now, I fully acknowledge he didn’t get a fair shake at Bayern last year, but if he can’t turn someones hand with his skills in a situation like that then he’s not top 20.
Landon is the best player in North America, I’m personally confident in saying that. I’d even say he’s the best player in all of CONCACAF, and I’d argue that he could perhaps even be a starter on an All North/South American team but to toss out statements like being one of the best in the world is silly and makes US soccer fans look silly.
August 28th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
@ Duffy:
And what do you call his play in the Conded. Cup 2 months ago? Inferior competition? Italy, Brazil, Spain. Way too critical Duffy. Not sure what your beef with LD is, but it’s pretty apparent you hate the dude. I’m just as pissed and upset he is being a pansy about not wanting to play in Europe as everyone else, but that’s his decision. His heart is not into it, and thus his play is reflected. He is a great player. Not top 20, granted, but not as awful as you claim he is. I’m surprised at your comments actually. I usually hold you in high regard, not today.
August 28th, 2009 at 4:55 pm
That’s the gayest thing I’ve ever heard. I pity you, fag.
August 28th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
I’m probably the only one left on this post, but I don’t care; Duffy has riled me up. His elitism with regards to this subject is infuriating. It is clear he dislikes US Soccer and wishes he could live in Europe and be a journalist covering his coveted
teams.
August 29th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
One of the biggest reasons that there aren’t more U.S. players plying their trade with the bigger clubs is the anti-American bias that Ty Duffy so expertly illustrates. He was never given a chance in Germany. Like so many before him he was doomed to misconceptions before he got off the plane. Maybe he’ll get a fairer shake with PSG.