American star Alexi Lalas announced his retirement Oct. 9 following the Kansas City Wizards’ final game of the ’99 MLS season against Los Angeles. Lalas, 29, earned 98 appearances for the U.S. national team, received the 1995 U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year Award and became the only American in the modern era to play in Italy’s Serie A. He was traded to the Kansas City Wizards on Jan. 28, 1999, from the MetroStars, and played in 30 games for Kansas City this season, winning the team’s Defensive Player of the Year honors and finishing the year with his highest point total in his MLS career (four goals and one assist).

QUOTES

“I have decided to leave the game and I am looking forward to starting a new chapter in my life off the field. I want to make it clear that my decision has absolutely nothing to do with wins, losses, trades or being in Kansas City. The people here have gone out of their way to express their support and to make me feel at home. Kansas City is a well-kept secret and it has been an honor and a privilege to have played and lived here. “This is simply a question of following my heart and thus makes it difficult to explain to people why or how I came to this decision. At 29, I definitely feel that I could continue to play for some time, but this is not about age or ability. It is a personal choice and something that I feel is right at this moment in my life. “Major League Soccer is something that I have had a pleasure of being part of since the beginning and I will continue to support it in the future in whatever way I can. I am proud of what the game of soccer has become in the United States and I would like to think that I, along with many others, have played a small part. Also, I would like to thank the fans and all my teammates and coaches whose support throughout the years, both on and off the field, have enabled me to become a better person and player. “This game has given me so many things that have nothing to do with kicking the ball. It has enabled me to travel, learn languages, meet interesting people and explore new cultures, all from the unique perspective of an American soccer player. I still love the game and the gift of being able to entertain people by my performance on the field.”

REACTION

MLS Commissioner Don Garber “Alexi is what this league is all about — being young, hip and in the now. His presence was vital in the establishment of this league on the American sports landscape and his vibrant passion for the game on and off the field brought numerous fans to our sport. In addition to wishing Alexi luck in his future endeavors, we look forward to pursuing an ongoing relationship with him as we work to take Major League Soccer into the next millenium.” Kansas City coach Bob Gansler “It came as a total surprise. Obviously Alexi had made his decision and there was no way to talk him out of it. The door is always open for Alexi Lalas, with me and this franchise. Alexi should have many more productive years ahead and I wish him luck in whatever endeavor he chooses. He is a class act.” Kansas City general manager Doug Newman “It is impossible to put into words what Alexi has contributed to the game of soccer. The one thing that always has impressed me about Alexi is that he has never taken any of his fame for granted and truly appreciates what the game has done for him. I remember one time when we were leaving a game and the entire team bus was waiting for Alexi to finish signing autographs. When he finished I thanked him for taking the time to sign every one and Alexi said, ‘Hey, you only have one chance to make a first impression and if you are a jerk that is how fans will remember you and maybe that is what they will think of soccer.’ That was not a canned response, that is who he is — a person who cares deeply about people and the game of soccer.”

CAREER

U.S. national team Ranks No. 5 all-time in appearances (98), No. 3 in games started (87), No. 6 in points (29), No. 9 in goals (9), and tied for No. 4 in assists (11). … Appeared in 13 games for U.S. Olympic teams, scoring three goals. … Started six of first nine games in 1998, tallying an assist in a 2-2 tie against Paraguay. … Represented the U.S. in the Atlanta Olympic Games as one of three “wild card” players, playing every minute of every match. … Winner of the 1995 U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year Award. … Named to the 1995 All-Copa America Team. … Scored in the 3-0 win over Argentina at the Copa America. … One of five U.S. players to play every minute of every game during the ’94 World Cup. … Scored insurance goal in the historic 2-0 upset over England at the U.S. Cup ’93. … A member of the 1992 U.S. Olympic Team, he played 45 minutes in a 2-2 tie with Poland, despite suffering a broken foot the week before. … Competed with the gold-medal winning U.S. team at the Pan American Games in 1991. College Won both the Hermann Trophy and the Missouri Athletic Club award in 1991, following his senior season … Led Rutgers to NCAA final four appearances in 1989 and 1990 … Also played hockey for the Scarlet Knights, leading the team in scoring in 1989. Italian Serie A Became the only American player in the modern era to play in the Italy’s famed Serie A, after signing with Padova in July 1994. … Scored three goals during the 1994-95 season, including game-winning goals against powerhouses AC Milan and Inter Milan. MLS Kansas City: Scored four goals and one assist in 1999, ranking him the seventh-leading scorer on the team. … Named to Soccer America’s Team of the Week a Wizards-high four times. … Only Wizards player to start and play 90 minutes in first 20 games. … Elected by fans as a starter for the 1999 All-Star game (one of four players to start all four years) and became the only MLS player to be a member of the winning team every year (twice with the Eastern Conference, once with MLS USA and once with Western Conference). … Scored his MLS career-high third goal with a beautiful chip in the 39th min. vs. Tampa Bay (7/22). … Scored an unbelievable diving header goal in the 86th min. vs. Dallas (9/18), giving him his career high in points in an MLS season. MetroStars: Scored game-winning goals in consecutive games in 1998 at Chicago (4/17) and vs. San Jose (4/25). … Played 90 minutes in all 25 games he started (represented U.S. at World Cup France ’98 for the other seven). … Scored what proved to be the game-winning goal for the MLS USA team in a 6-1 win at the 1998 MLS All-Star Game in Orlando. … Started and played 90 min. in both playoff losses against Columbus. New England: Played first two MLS seasons with New England. … Started 28 of 29 games in 1997, scoring twice and added four assists in 2,607 minutes … Played in two games in one day on April 22, 1997, when he played 78 minutes in the U.S. national team’s 2-2 World Cup qualifying tie against Mexico, followed by a three-minute cameo in the Revolution’s 2-1 win over Tampa Bay. … Started and played 90 minutes in both losses to eventual MLS champion D.C. United in 1997 playoffs. … Played 25 games in 1996, scoring one goal and tallying the team’s first-ever assist (4/13)…Captained the team in seven games.