Lalas draws praise for leadership role Alexi Lalas has drawn praise from his coaches and teammates since the team’s disappointing loss to Germany on Sunday. Always known as the nation’s most gregarious player, Lalas has been impressive in training this week, both emotionally and physically. “At halftime of the Germany game,” said head coach Steve Sampson, “from the time the players first walked into the locker room, Alexi lifted their spirits and got them refocused on the task at hand, which was playing better in the second half. Today in training he did the same kind of things, helping lift the team after a sluggish start.” Tab Ramos also highlighted Lalas contributions after practice, saying, “We started slow in training today and some of the guys were down, but Alexi was the key. He was training hard. He really lifted everyone up both verbally and physically by the way he practiced.” Lalas, of course, is best known for his signature red hair and goatee, but has also established himself as one of the most effective U.S. players of all time. Despite playing central defense, Lalas ranks fifth in U.S. Soccer history with 29 points. His nine career goals are tenth best and his 11 career assists are bettered by only three players. In addition, he has 98 caps to his credit and is the only men’s player in U.S. Soccer history to be recognized by FIFA as a member of the All-World Cup Team, earning Honorable Mention honors on defense in 1994. Yellow Card update In World Cup group play, yellow cards can prove crucial to a team’s hopes of advancing. If a player receives two yellow cards in round-robin play, he must sit out the following game. In 1994, midfielder John Harkes received two yellow cards in the first round of the World Cup and was suspended for the USA’s 1-0 loss to Brazil in the round of 16. A quick glance at players who received yellow cards in Group F’s first round of games: Yugoslavia — Zeljko Petrovic, Dragan Stojkovic. Iran — None. (However, Iran has committed a group-high 30 fouls, including the fatal one that set up Sinisa Mihajlovic’s free-kick goal in the 72nd minute.) Germany — Jens Jeremies, Christian Ziege, Joerg Heinrich. USA — Frankie Hejduk, Eddie Pope. Single yellow cards do not carry over into the elimination phase of the tournament, however, a player receiving two yellow cards in the first round will be suspended for their next match. Father’s Day 12 take on Iran When the U.S. World Cup Team steps on the field this Sunday in Lyon (2:30 p.m. ET on ABC), 12 players and coaches will also be celebrating Father’s Day. The “U.S. Soccer Father’s Day 12” are players Marcelo Balboa, Chad Deering, Thomas Dooley, Frankie Hejduk, Kasey Keller, Preki Radosavljevic, Tab Ramos and David Regis; and coaches Steve Sampson, Clive Charles, Milutin Soskic and Thomas Rongen. Players finally tour downtown Lyon The U.S. World Cup Team finally got to spend time touring downtown Lyon today, after having their original excursion into the city delayed on June 12 because of a farmers’ strike. The team spent a few hours with their families touring the small French city and shopping. World Cup birthdays In addition to Cobi Jones 28th birthday being celebrated yesterday, three other members of the U.S. World Cup Team will be celebrating birthdays soon. Forward Brian McBride turns 26 on Friday (June 19), midfielder Preki Radosavljevic turns 35 next Wednesday (June 24) and midfielder Brian Maisonnueve turns 25 a week from Sunday (June 28). Team schedule Thursday, June 18 10 a.m. Team departs for CLOSED training at Trevoux 1:30 p.m. All players available for interviews at Chateau de Pizay 2 p.m. Steve Sampson available for interviews at Chateau de Pizay Friday, June 19 10 a.m. Team departs for CLOSED training at Trevoux