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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="footballco-bet-betsense">{"type":"footballco-bet-betsense","data":{}}</script><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="match-schedule">{"type":"match-schedule","data":{"channelId":"970b4092-1503-489f-8c1b-5f42e40e36b5","teamId":"9vh2u1p4ppm597tjfahst2m3n"}}</script><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_d6e1e5da-7d9a-43d5-97e1-f4350a3cd7e3"}}</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>

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

<p>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.</p><p></p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>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"><em>The Athletic</em></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.</p><p>“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.”</p><p>Lalas also admitted he doesn't fear a backlash fans from about his opinions.</p><p>"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.”</p>

WHAT LALAS SAID

<p>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>.</p><p></p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>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.</p><p></p>

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 US

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.

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