Feb. 4, 1998 – Revolution trade Alexi Lalas to MetroStars for draft pick

The Revolution were making bold moves in the 1998 preseason in an attempt to move on from an unsuccessful on-field start to their existence, including the trade of Alexi Lalas. Though the Revolution made a strong financial commitment to Lalas, the organization did not follow up effectively, as he was not favored by either of the team’s first two coaches, Frank Stapleton or Thomas Rongen.

I recall Lalas pushing for the Revolution to select Jason Kreis in the MLS inaugural draft in 1996, and realizing his frustration as the team passed by Kreis with four choices. Somewhere around that time, there were indications the Revolution were not going to be Lalas’ team, though they had built their marketing campaign, as well as the back line, around him. An indication of the Revolution’s investment in Lalas was that he was being paid $236,000 annually, much more than the payroll for the entire coaching staff.

Of course, there were many game-changing events along the way. But the history of the Revolution – and of MLS – might have been much different had they drafted Kreis.

TODAY IN NE SOCCER HISTORY