Former U.S. Soccer Star Jermaine Jones Publicly Taunts Alexi Lalas

Former U.S. men's soccer star is enjoying the hate coming Alexi Lalas' way during the FIFA Men's World Cup.

Lalas has been working alongside Zlatan and Thierre Henry, as part of FOX's main studio set. However, he's been taking a lot of heat - including some from Zlatan and Henry - during the programming.

Former U.S. men's soccer star Jermaine Jones is loving it.

"Is Alexi Lalas finally getting a taste of his own medicine? I almost feel bad for him. Almost. For years, he's been the one throwing punches with his opinions. Now he's sitting next to Zlatan and Thierry Henry, and every take seems to come with an immediate counterpunch. Part of me feels sorry for him. The other part loves it. Lol," he joked.

Lalas, meanwhile, is refusing to apologize for his World Cup performance. In fact, he's refusing to call soccer "football" out of protest.

"Yeah…that's not gonna happen," he wrote. "I call it soccer. I own it proudly. I never apologize for it. If you grew up calling it soccer and changed out of insecurity or some misguided belief it makes you more authentic/credible…it doesn't. It's cringe. It makes you look like a weak poser."

Fans react to Lalas' World Cup performance

Fans are loving the heat coming his way.

"Seeing Henry toy with him in the studio the other day was hilarious. Lalas is like the Stephen A Smith of soccer," one fan wrote.

"The part that feels sorry just means you're human with empathy. He doesn't have that side to him so don't worry lol," another fan joked.

"Zero parts of me feel bad for him. He can choke on his faux arrogance!" another fan added.

"I used to find him annoying, but his willingness to throw those punches and be honest to himself made him grow on me. Did he ever do or say anything about you that soured you, or was it more just his style? I'll always honor his role when this all got going in ‘94," one fan added.

What do you make of Lalas' World Cup performance?

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This story was originally published June 21, 2026 at 10:00 PM.