Photo by Zute Lightfoot, courtesy of ESPN Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood graduate and Birmingham native Alexi Lalas worked as an analyst for ESPN during the FIFA 2010 World Cup out of Johannesburg, South Africa.

By Jon Malavolti
C & G Sports Writer

The FIFA World Cup ended July 11.

And though Alexi Lalas is glad the buzzing is finally over, he hopes the buzz doesn’t die.

That is, he’s glad to be rid of the constant buzzing of the “vuvuzela” — the horn constantly sounded during the month-long international soccer tournament hosted by South Africa — but he is optimistic that the sport he starred in at Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood and later for the United States squad in the 1994 World Cup will continue to generate buzz and build off the popularity of the quadrennial tournament.

“You’ve got to have stories — and to a certain extent, controversies and talking points — along with wins, because we are the United States,” the Birmingham native said. “I think this team did a really good job creating those magical moments, and to a certain extent, justifying what we’ve said all along — it’s not an underground sport. The reactions show that.”

The tournament, which saw Spain win the title and the U.S. win its group before falling in the knockout round, reportedly drew record ratings.

Although Lalas admitted to feeling like he was a little “insulated in a bubble” while he worked as a studio analyst for ESPN in Johannesburg throughout the tournament, he’s aware that it “made an impact back home.”

“I think it was good that people were left wanting more,” he said. “It’s gratifying to know all the work and resources ESPN put into this paid off.”

Lalas said he “had a blast” working during the tournament, and also enjoyed the experience of the first World Cup hosted on the African continent.

“I just had such a great time doing this,” he said. “This was an incredible learning process for me this summer. I have a great, great job to be able to talk about soccer, whether it’s (Major League Soccer) or World Cup, I love this game. I enjoy that I can still be a part of it even though I can’t kick a ball anymore.”

With another year on his contract with ESPN, Lalas said he is looking forward to improving and challenging himself as an analyst.

He was taking some much deserved rest on vacation with his family after the World Cup before returning to the studio for the July 28 MLS All-Star Game on ESPN2.

And as for the vuvuzelas, Lalas said he eventually got used to the constant buzzing, almost relying on it.

“It becomes part of the sonic landscape. You come to expect it,” he said. “As jarring as it was initially, you become completely numb to it. To a certain extent, you need it.”
That said, he’s glad to be back home.

“I consider myself a good father, but I refused to bring vuvuvelas back to my children,” he said. “So that’s what I think of the vuvuzela.”

For more of Alexi Lalas’ thoughts on the 2010 World Cup and the state of the U.S. squad, check out a blog post by Jon Malavolti on the Sports page at www.candgnews.com.

You can reach Sports Writer Jon Malavolti at jmalavolti@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1040.