Lalas Just Messing About in Global Affairs

Up to his goatee in media queries about international politics, U.S.-Iran relations, the 1979 hostage crisis and the potential for diplomacy through slide tackling, Alexi Lalas finally lost it after practice Saturday morning.

“This is the most important event in the history of humanity,” Lalas deadpanned for a crush of reporters squeezed inside the “mixed zone” at Stade Gerland, where today’s World Cup match between Iran and the United States will be played.

“This is the game that will determine the history of our planet and is probably the single-most important sporting event in the history of the world.

“Other than that, it’s just a soccer game.”

Lalas grinned and sighed and then half-apologized for the sarcasm, explaining, “There’s a lot of [garbage] here.”

Still, that didn’t prevent reporters for running to U.S. Coach Steve Sampson to ask him what he thought of Lalas calling today’s match the most important in the history of humanity.

Sampson paused, laughed and then realized he couldn’t top it, so he played his response straight.

“I don’t know if it’s the most important match in the history of humanity, but it’s probably our most important match since the 1990 World Cup,” Sampson said.

“As for the politics, I don’t think it makes this match any more important for the players. It might be important for the two governments. Our entire emphasis here has been to show that we’re a soccer-playing nation and leaving the politics out of it, but it is hard to ignore the fact there’s so much emphasis being placed on this game.”

Without drawing too many comparisons to the 1990 World Cup--the United States went 0-3 and was outscored, 8-2, in that tournament--today’s match is important enough to Sampson that the coach is treating his starting lineup and formation as if they were classified government documents.

Question: “Some of the players said you are switching from 3-6-1 to 3-5-2. Is that so?”

Sampson: “No comment.”

Question: “Will we see any new faces then?”

Sampson: “Maybe. (Long pause.) You’re asking me to divulge tactics and personnel and I’m not going to do that.”

Question: “But some your players have said there will be changes . . .”

Sampson: “Maybe they think they are deciding who plays. But, I can assure you, they are not.”

Media speculation, ranging from informed guesses to wild stabs in the dark, has Sampson making two to four changes in the U.S. starting lineup.

Tab Ramos, as either a withdrawn striker or attacking midfielder, is a virtual certainty to start, as is Frankie Hejduk at right wing.

Several U.S. Soccer Federation officials reportedly were less than pleased with Sampson’s decision to play Ramos--as charismatic and fiery a player as there is on the U.S. roster--for only 21 minutes against Germany as a late second-half substitute. Earlier in the week, Ramos let it slip to reporters that he would be starting against Iran, then had to back-track [“I’m still hoping to play”] after drawing a scolding from Sampson.

Hejduk, another substitute against Germany, had the only serious scoring chance for the Americans--a flying header saved by a sprawling Andreas Kopke in the 56th minute. He is expected to replace Mike Burns on the right side of midfield.

Other possibilities include either Roy Wegerle or Joe-Max Moore at striker, if the formation calls for two strikers, and either Lalas or Marcelo Balboa if Sampson opts for the four-man backline.

Most likely to be dropped to make room for such additions are Ernie Stewart and Brian Maisonneuve.