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Article: Lalas challenges U.S. team to develop better chemistry.(Sports)(Soccer)
- Article from:
- The Washington Times (Washington, DC)
- Article date:
- May 16, 1998
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1998 News World Communications, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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At the 1994 World Cup, Alexi Lalas, the goateed, long-haired defender, was the young, hip image of American soccer that appealed to the MTV generation. Now, at 28, Lalas sounds more like an aging prophet. He's even cut his hair.
Lalas warned this week that unless the 1998 U.S. World Cup team creates the right chemistry, it will be "just 22 good players" and nothing more.
"Our challenge right now is not kicking a soccer ball," Lalas said. "We've got that down. The challenge right now is creating a character and spirit within this team."
An eight-year national team veteran, Lalas has been at the center of some of its greatest feats.