SECAUCUS, NJ - Red Bull New York announced today that Alexi Lalas has resigned from his position as President and General Manager of Red Bull New York and will take over as President and General Manager of the Los Angeles Galaxy effective immediately.
"This is a bittersweet moment for me," said Lalas. "While I'm excited about the opportunity to return to the L.A. Galaxy, I'm also sad to be leaving this team and this area after such a short period of time. I wish nothing but the best for this organization, on and off the field, and I firmly believe that with Red Bull's involvement, the sky is the limit."
Lalas was named President and General Manager of the Red Bulls (then MetroStars) on June 13, 2005. He previously served as President and General Manager of the San Jose Earthquakes during the 2004 and 2005 MLS seasons.
Lalas joined the Earthquakes after an outstanding soccer career that began with his first cap on the U.S. National Team in 1991. An Olympian in 1992 and 1996, Lalas was a member of the United States' 1994 World Cup team and in 1995, he was named U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year. On the international club level, Lalas became the first American player since World War II to play in Italy's Serie A, as he signed with Padova in 1994 and scored three goals during the 1994-1995 season.
He has long been one of the leading figures and most familiar faces in United States soccer and he cemented his place in MLS history by making five all-star appearances over his seven-year career and garnered MLS Best XI honors in 2002. Lalas' MLS career began with the New England Revolution, who he played with for two seasons and then moved on to the MetroStars in 1998. He spent one season with the Kansas City Wizards in 1999 before retiring for the 2000 season. However, he returned to MLS in 2001 and appeared in 59 games for the Los Angeles Galaxy over the next three years. As a member of the Galaxy, he captured the 2000 F.C. Champions Cup, the 2001 U.S. Open Cup, and the 2002 MLS Cup Championship.
The Red Bulls are currently 0-0-3 in the 2006 campaign and sit in fourth place in the Eastern Conference. They are back in action this Saturday, April 22 when they host rival D.C. United at 4:00 p.m. ET at Giants Stadium.
