Polarizing soccer pundit Alexi Lalas ruffled feathers in the USMNT sphere after sharing his opinion about the midfield duo of Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie. Lalas doesn’t seem to be a fan of their physical approach in the Premier League.
Adams and McKennie have only played four EPL games together at Leeds United and have already earned a name for themselves. We at The18 refer to them as the ‘Premier League Bad Boys’ due to their hard tackles and how they never back down from a fight.
On Saturday Adams and McKennie both picked up yellow cards for shoving Everton’s Dwight McKneil into the advertisement board.
Tyler Adams and Dwight McNeil with some pushing and shoving.
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) February 18, 2023
Lalas no likey. He said that he’s fine with Adams sticking up for himself but argued the American midfielder gets in the face of opponents too often.
Alexi Lalas on Adams and McKennie
Alexi goes OFF on Leeds United's Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams
(via @SOTUWithAlexi)— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) February 21, 2023
The reactions to Lalas’ opinion were mixed, but mostly negative.
Alexi lalas *sigh*…take a nap.
— Carlos Arevalo (@C_Arevalo3) February 21, 2023
Maybe the ex player who never played in a match that really meant anything shouldnt speak on players achieving vastly more than he ever did
— Dalton Walsh (@DaltonWalsh) February 21, 2023
Nobody cares what Alexi Lalas thinks
— Didinho (@CFC_Didi) February 21, 2023
Shut up Alexi
— gautam (@gautamcityy) February 21, 2023
Alexi winning today’s daily dumbass.
— Katherine (@Katherine__13_) February 21, 2023
Agree with ya…there’s times durning the game that energy like that is needed but on every tackle it’s not. I love the energy in the passion it’s just about directing and the timing of using it!
— Jacob Higdon (@JD_Higgs617) February 21, 2023
Do you think Lalas has a point? Or is he a hater that doesn’t deserve your eardrums?
For what it’s worth, Adams has done well to stay out of trouble this season. For a player who makes a name off hard tackles and getting in the face of opponents he only has four yellow cards in 22 games.
He does have one red card, but that was more so for a tactical foul and not a major error.
Tyler Adams receives a second yellow card and he has been sent off late in the match.
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) November 12, 2022
McKennie hasn’t kept his hands as clean for Leeds since his arrival. In three of his first four games for Leeds he has received a yellow card.
