Alexi Lalas clocked up nearly a century of appearances for the US national team during the 1990s. But football fans nowadays will be more accustomed to seeing him on FOX providing analysis on the current crop of American stars. In fact, Lalas’ coverage of the 2026 World Cup is the ninth time he has done so for the American broadcasting giants.
Perhaps it is that sporting legacy that has helped him to build a similar longevity as an analyst since retiring from football in 1999, and then again in 2004, after a short-lived return to the sport with LA Galaxy.
Some fans might also point to his memorable personality and appearance whilst starring for the US national team in the 1990s. Lalas’ appearance is far more conservative these days, but during the height of his playing career he was unmissable with his fiery, unkempt beard and hair.
And Lalas was not just individualistic in his image, but his direction too. The two-time Olympian blazed a trail, becoming the first US footballer to play in Serie A. Lalas lined up for Padova from 1994 to 1996, even managing to get on the scoresheet against both Inter Milan and AC Milan.
This period coincided with the 1994 World Cup, where the United States produced one of its greatest teams. Lalas featured alongside American greats such as Cobi Jones, Brad Friedel, and Claudio Reyna. And whilst many of those stars have slipped quietly into retirement, Lalas continues to seek the spotlight in new and unexpected ways.
Professional sport and celebrity are in some ways interchangeable, but Alexi Lalas’ enduring side gig as a musician continues to shock those who discover the creative side of his persona.
Alexi Lalas’ Musical Career
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Lalas’ musical ambitions have always existed alongside his professional football career. He is a prolific artist, having released eight solo albums, beginning with 1996’s Far from Close and his recent release Denim. The American football star cut his teeth on garage rock as a teenager, influenced by the likes of Van Halen and Def Leppard, as well as the advent of MTV in the 1980s.
But his enduring love for music was instilled in him at an early age by his music teachers and his mother. They provided the fundamentals of music and are lessons that he still carries with him today. Speaking to the Let Music Fill My World initiative, Lalas stated, “When I think back about people who made a difference in my life, first person I think about is Mrs Van Heusen.
“My mom sent me down the two blocks every Tuesday night to Mrs Van Heusen for piano lessons. And she was a wonderful, kind old lady. Also, incredibly patient to deal with me,” recounted Lalas.
“And she really introduced me to the building blocks of music. Whether it was scales and chords, and progressions and patterns, and really the arithmetic that a lot of music has, especially when it comes to popular music.”
Alexi Lalas Discography
Album Name
Year
Notable Songs
Far from Close
1996
Crash, Turn Over, Sweet Mercy Ride
Ginger
1998
Pretty Mess, Goodnight Moon, Drive – By Serenade
So It Goes
2010
Outta Sync, See-Through, Chasing Sunset
Infinity Spaces
2014
1000 Years, Watch You Go, Run Away
Shots
2016
American Outlaw, Seems so Long Ago, Big Break
Sunshine
2018
Summer Song, Hello Sunshine, I Still Love Christmas
Look at You
2019
Look at You, Get You Back, Almost Got It Right
Melt Away
2022
Red, White & Denim, Calling Everybody, I Feel Alive
Denim
2026
Kicking Balls, Enough is Enough, Living With a Shadow
Alexi Lalas in ‘The Masked Singer’
The former LA Galaxy star also made headlines in March 2026 for his musical endeavours with an impressive run on The Masked Singer. Lalas made it all the way to Week 9 of the fourteenth season of the popular American television series, just falling short of the semi-final stage.
The FOX analyst outlasted the likes of Billy Ray Cyrus, Tiffany Haddish, and MLB star David Ortiz, with Ashlee Simpson eventually taking the crown.
Before being forced to reveal his identity, Lalas hinted to the judges that his costume held clues as to who was hidden beneath the mask. Ironically, the judges incorrectly guessed at a number of sports stars, including Tom Brady and Travis Kelce, before Lalas finally put them out of their misery.
But his elimination wasn’t all negative — he did receive a number of kind comments about his performances. Lalas’ character was called High Voltage, whose concept was a robot with plugs for hands. The clue that pointed to his true identity was the robot’s head, which was designed to resemble a football. Sadly, that detail was lost on the judges.
Thierry Henry is left in stitches as Alexi Lalas gets revenge on fellow pundit Zlatan Ibrahimovic at the 2026 World Cup
Alexi Lalas’ Band, The Gypsies
The impact of MTV and the heavy metal movement of the time inspired Lalas to play in a band, The Gypsies, during the height of his football career in the 1990s. Alongside his band members, he self-produced and self-distributed one album, Woodland, during the 1994 World Cup.
And at the height of Lalas’ popularity following an inclusion in the 1998 MLS All-Star team, The Gypsies achieved a level of success, opening for the popular American rock band Hootie & the Blowfish during a European tour in 1998. The band was formed during Lalas’ college years at Rutgers University.
Speaking about their opening slot for Hootie & the Blowfish to Beats & Rhymes, Lalas recalled the period fondly. “We had a blast on the Hootie tour, the guys treated us great, and it was a challenge each night to go out and win over a crowd that wasn’t really there to see you.
“Music was never a hobby for me – I took it as seriously as my soccer. While my success in soccer gave me opportunities in music, I knew that I would have to prove that it wasn’t a vanity endeavour or whim.
“The reality is that the public is rightfully sceptical about athletes doing music, but I never let that stop me.”
Arsenal are facing a fight to keep hold of defender Piero Hincapie, as ESPN reports that Real Madrid have made enquiries about signing the Ecuadorian international this summer.
However, with centre-back problems lurking in the background for the Spanish giants, they are back shopping in the Premier League, and are looking to swipe a star from the Gunners.
Real Madrid Want Piero Hincapie
After failing in an attempt to sign Calafiori, Real Madrid are looking at Arsenal star Hincapie, as ESPN reports that enquiries have been made over a deal.
It comes as Los Blancos want a left-footed centre-back, with moves elsewhere in the backline set to free up a space for the position this summer.
Any deal looks difficult, however, as Arsenal are set to make Hincapie’s loan from Bayer Leverkusen permanent this summer with a £45 million clause in his deal.
That’s not to say a move isn’t possible, but the Gunners would likely be hesitant to let the 24-year-old leave without at least banking a significant profit on a switch to a Champions League rival.
Having already sounded out Hincapie, the report adds that Real Madrid have also enquired about Ruben Dias, Alessandro Bastoni, and Nico Schlotterbeck – though the latter is now unlikely to move due to an injury sustained at the World Cup with Germany.
In all, it means Arsenal could face a potential battle in keeping the versatile defender, but have all the cards in their hand to keep him if they so wish.
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What Mikel Arteta has said about Hincapie
Hincapie wasn’t always a guaranteed started for Arsenal over the course of the previous season, but he did play a large role in the team finally winning the Premier League.
The defender was a reliable option, especially when injuries struck in the backline, adding plenty of pace and physicality at full-back in particular.
“When I spoke to Xabi just before we were going to sign him, I said if you have to describe him in one word, what would you use, and he said, ‘He’s a warrior,'” Arteta said in March to TNT Sports.
Arsenal continue to be linked with potential forward options in the market, but face a battle to land one key target.
“He will play through brick walls for you and he’s one of the most competitive players that I have had. He’s come into the Premier League after surgery and a difficult start without a pre-season, and when you see him around his team-mates and competing on the pitch, it’s like he’s been here for 10 years.
“He has an aura, a charisma – a really special character.”
It shows exactly what Arteta thinks of Hincapie, and perhaps further underlines how tough it may be for Real Madrid to tempt a move this summer.
One England player chose not to shake Thomas Partey’s hand before the Three Lions faced Ghana in their second World Cup game in Boston on Tuesday night.
The Ghanaian midfielder, previously of Arsenal, is currently facing allegations that include seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault involving four different women, as per The Mirror.
These incidents are alleged to have taken place between 2020 and 2022, with investigations taking place while he was still plying his trade in the Premier League.
England have been urged to change their national anthem for football matches, and ditch ‘God Save the King’.
England Player Refuses Thomas Partey’s Handshake Before World Cup Tie
Cody Grubbs (Sipa USA via Reuters)
Heading into the clash, the English FA’s stance was that the players could make their own decision on whether or not to embrace Partey following the national anthems being played.
In Djed Spence’s case, the Tottenham defender chose to keep his arms by his side as his former north London adversary walked past him. Watch the incident below:
The 2026 World Cup has brought national anthems into the spotlight as the pre-game routine has seen everyone get involved in belting out their country’s chosen tune.
England players stand together and sing the words to ‘God Save the King’ before matches. While the song about the Royal Family technically isn’t the ‘national anthem’, it’s effectively treated as one. But that doesn’t mean it’s popular.
Three Lions Urged Into Pre-Match Anthem Change
Cody Grubbs (Sipa USA via Reuters)
In fact, a poll carried out by Express Sport has suggested the majority of English supporters would rather not be subjected to the anthem before they watch their country play. When asked to vote on whether ‘God Save the King’ should be replaced, a staggering 55% believe it should.
Out of the 4,000 voters, 1,902 were in the camp that believed the tune shouldn’t be scrapped, with the remainder wanting change. Of those who are in favour of replacing the pre-match song, 15% think it should be substituted for ‘I Vow To Thee My Country’.
Another 40% chose ‘Jerusalem’ by Sir Hubert Parry and Sir Edward Elgar. However, the majority (44%) went for a song written in 1901 and used at the Commonwealth Games until 2010. That is, of course, ‘Land Of Hope And Glory’.
So there’s a fairly even split between the potential replacements, but most people appear to want to see the back of the current anthem. Thomas Tuchel, on the other hand, wants Oasis’ Wonderwall to be his team’s post-match song.
Why Thomas Tuchel Doesn’t Sing the National Anthem
Tuchel is unlike those asking for change, as the German boss has already labelled it ‘a very powerful, emotional and meaningful national anthem’. Speaking in March 2025, he stated:
“I think, first of all, you have a very powerful, emotional and meaningful national anthem and I could not be more proud to be on the sidelines and be in charge of the English national team.”
But you won’t catch Tuchel belting out the anthem before England matches, for the time being at least. Instead, the ex-Chelsea boss feels he should earn that right.
England have a long list of songs and chants, all of which will be sung at major tournaments. Check out our guide for the complete songbook.
When asked why he doesn’t join in, he said: “It means everything. It means a lot to me, I can assure you, but I can feel because it is that meaningful and it is that emotional and it is so powerful, the national anthem, that I have to earn my right to sing it.”
