BOSTON, Massachusetts. June 5: Alexi Lalas departed the Italian League to play football In his homeland for the fledgling Major League soccer. Now he wants a release to join the US Olympic team, reports AFP

"If I am asked. 'I am going to play." said Lalas, now a defender for the New England Revolution. "It's a once in a lifetime opportunity that is not likely to come along again "

Lalas is being considered as one of three over-23 players each team is allowed in the Games.

"If I'm going to play on the Olympic team. I'm not going to just show up and play in the Games. 1 would want to play in some exhibitions too. There is a lot more to forming a team. You have to train together and get to know each other."

But the man who would decide which players will be asked to become Olympians is Bruce Arena, who doubles as Olympic mentor and coach of DC United of MLs That rubs Revolution coach Frank Stapleton the wrong way.

“If Aiexi were under 23 and called up to the Olympic team, that's fine.' Stapleton said. "But this over does it. Playing internationally for your country is one thing. This Olympics is a different thing altogether."

The Revolution are struggling at the bottom of the 10-team league with only eight points in as many matches. Losing Lalas for a month or more could end their hopes at a title run.