Alexi Lalas

SL Interview: Alexi Lalas

GM San Jose Earthquakes

February 5, 2005

A lot has happened this past year for the San Jose Earthquakes. The team struggled throughout 2004 and lost many key players during the off-season including Landon Donovan, Jeff Agoos, Ramiro Corrales, and Richard Mulrooney. On top of that, the team is almost desperately seeking investors to keep the team in San Jose or they could be on the move to a new city. Through it all, Alexi Lalas has kept that familiar flair and excitement that he has become known for and he's even optimistic about the team's chances in 2005. Here's how it went:

SoccerLoop.com: The team went from first to worst and it was a tough year all the way around for the organization. What are your thoughts of your first season as a GM?

Alexi Lalas: Needless to say, it's been an incredibly illuminating year for me. I've gotten a crash course in the business of MLS soccer and it's an education that continues every day. I've made my fair share of mistakes, but I like to think that I've also brought a different perspective to the front office. I've also had the privilege of getting to work with a group of people that, as a player, you're rarely exposed to. The men and women in the front offices across this league deserve as much, if not more, credit for the incredible progress our sport has made.

SL: How has your off-season been going so far? What are your major objectives?

AL: We've been hard at work getting our team together for 2005. Our challenge is to fill a bunch of roster spots with players that can live up to the tradition of excellence that has been establish at the Earthquakes. It's not been easy, but I think our fans will ultimately come to appreciate the changes. It may be different names, but it's the same quality entertainment.

SL: What would be the best news you could get right now regarding the Earthquakes to start off the New Year right?

AL: We're sold out for our entire 16-game regular season and Beckham is coming on a free transfer for minimum salary. A boy can dream, right?

SL: What would be a reasonable goal for 2005?

AL: I'm not going to lie. We've lost a lot of the familiar faces that have been responsibly for much of the success of this team over the past few years. But to be fair, none of it is by design. In fact, much of it was beyond our control. Having said that, I think this is an opportunity to inject some new blood and give our fans some new faces to admire. But the bar has been set very high. Our fans expect and deserve a team that competes for championships, and that's what we aim to give them.

SL: The team will be in San Jose for 2005, but can we expect the team will be on the move in 2006?

AL: All I can promise you is that we will be playing in San Jose, at Spartan Stadium for the entire 2005 season, beyond that, remains to be seen. We are concentrating on the here and now. Our mission is to make 2005 the most productive year in history, on and off the field. We want everyone to see what an incredible asset the Earthquakes are, from a business and soccer perspective. By doing that, we increase the value of the club and hopefully entice potential local ownership groups to step forward with a long-term plan that keeps this team in the Bay Area.

SL: The Mayor of San Antonio has been pressing hard for a soccer specific stadium. Would this be a possible location for the Earthquakes in 2006?

AL: Everyone needs to understand how the perception of MLS has changed over the years. The fact is that there are cities across America that recognize the value of having an MLS team in their market. Moreover, they're willing to do what it takes to get that team. San Antonio looks at an MLS team as a good long-term business investment for their city. As a league, we need to be in places with this type of attitude. I hope San Antonio gets an MLS team; I just don't want it to come from San Jose.

SL: You've dispelled the rumors about your visit to Chelsea. What do you think the rumor stemmed from?

AL: Who knows, and who ultimately cares? But one thing I've learned is that the best business is done privately. If Chelsea, or anyone else, was interested in becoming involved in MLS, I would want both parties to keep any initial dealings as quiet as possible. It's important to manage expectations and not give our fans false hope. I just don't want to jerk anyone around; it's a waste of time and insulting to the folks who hold the Earthquakes near and dear to their heart.

SL: Will Wade Barrett be returning for the 2005 season?

AL: Our fans should expect to see Wade Barrett back in San Jose blue for the 2005 season. We are in the process of getting some paper work finalized, but we are very excited about the possibility of adding someone of his experience, personality and ability to our roster. I only ask that he grows back his sideburns, they were something to behold!

SL: Where have you and Dominic Kinnear been looking for talent? And are there any good candidates?

AL: We've tried to go after talent with MLS experience and then add a few outside influences to the mix. There are financial realities that limit our abilities, but I think we've identified some potential newcomers that we feel will entertain and compete.

SL: What are you most excited about for this coming new year?

AL: I'm just excited about watching Coach Kinnear and his staff guide a completely new team through the season. There will be bumps along the way, but it will be a fun ride, and for our fans, I promise an entertaining one.

SL: Alexi, thanks for taking the time to answer our questions during this busy off-season for you. Good luck in 2005!

Interview by: Steven Patton