“Henry v Lalas Is the World Cup’s Most Compelling Battle”
Although I’ve seen a highlight or two, I have not overcome my FIFA+Fox+Trump disgust to watch any of the World Cup so far. MAGA dipshit Alexi Lalas is high on the list of reasons not to tune into any of Fox’s braindead coverage, but it sounds like he’s being dragged on the regular by Thierry Henry. The French Aristocrat and the All-American Idiot: Henry v Lalas Is the World Cup’s Most Compelling Battle:
Lalas enjoyed a solid playing career, but he’s obviously not in the same league as Henry, widely considered the greatest footballer in Premier League history. This vast gulf in on-field pedigree has become more awkward as the tournament has progressed, with Lalas retreating into a meek silence whenever Henry reveals his depth of footballing experience. In a conversation where his co-panelist is casually reminiscing about his days playing alongside Messi or exchanging shirts with Ronaldo Nazário at the World Cup, what exactly is Lalas going to talk about — coming on as a second-half substitute for Earnie Stewart in a friendly against Scotland in 1998? Helping the Kansas City Wizards finish last in the 1999 MLS Western Conference? Did Lalas enjoy an elite playing career? No. But does he do the background reading that could compensate for his relative lack of standing in a conversation with titans like Henry and Zlatan? Also no. But is he charming or funny or charismatic or otherwise magnetic on screen? Eh, no.
Savage. Here’s Henry and Zlatan kicking the ball around in the studio and pointedly not letting Lalas have a go:
Comments 3
I've been watching the tournament on Telemundo, via Peacock, and it has been a delight. My Spanish is very limited, but the announcers have great energy and they do a fantastic job of calling out which player is in on the action. I especially like that they don't cut away to commercial during the hydration breaks, opting instead to focus on the players and sometimes recapping exciting plays. I'll also say, the joy of the crowds and the warm reception the visitors to our country have received has been an utter balm during these rather dark times. It's been a welcome reminder that there are good people here.
Same. It's also a lovely tertiary side effect to just have Spanish commentary running in my house all day as a casual way of hearing (and learning) more of the language.
I felt fortunate to stumble upon a Telemundo match and catch Jozy Altidore interviewing players in Spanish https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/soccer/jozy-altidore-now-broadcaster-bullish-us-making-deep-world-cup-run-rcna347988
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