Alexi Lalas (@AlexiLalas) was a defender on the US Men's World Cup team in 1994. He is also the first modern-era American soccer player to play in the Italian Serie A. After a career as a Major League Soccer player, Lalas has served as an executive for the San Jose Earthquakes, New York Red Bulls, and Los Angeles Galaxy. In 2006 he was elected into the National Soccer Hall of Fame. He currently works in sports media and first started as an analyst for ESPN and ABC Sports before transitioning to FOX Sports.

In this video, Lalas describes three ways coaches positively impacted Alexi Lalas in his development as an athlete and person.

1) They challenged him to get better.

2) They taught him valuable skills and lessons both on the field and off it.

3) When he was finished with them he felt that he was better and had improved.

He felt better as a person because he learned lessons through sport that he could use in his life. He believes that it is important for a coach to be supportive, positive, encourage competition, and be able to give perspective.