Lalas’ Schedule Starts in Italy, Moves to MLS, Maybe Olympics

Alexi Lalas will try to do it all next year.

Already committed to playing defender for Padova of the Italian League, he announced Sunday he will play in Major League Soccer when that starts next spring. And he hasn’t given up on playing for the U.S. Olympic team at the Atlanta Games.

“If by my participation [in MLS] I can help soccer in this country, I’m glad to do it,” Lalas said. “I want to leave something for soccer in this country so players who come after us don’t have to go through the . . . we did.”

Lalas, who signed a multi-year deal with undisclosed terms, became the seventh player with World Cup experience to sign with MLS. Players will be allocated to teams through a draft.

“We’ve been talking to Alexi since the World Cup. We’re very happy to have him,” said U.S. Soccer Federation President Alan Rothenberg, who will head MLS.

After playing in the U.S. national team’s scoreless tie with Colombia and winning the U.S. Cup tournament Sunday, Lalas had a jam session at a bar in nearby New Brunswick, N.J. “We’re going to rock out,” said Lalas, who plays guitar and sings. “It’s great to do the two things I love most, play soccer and do some music.”