by Brandon Vogel

* Alexi Lalas is coming to Omaha. Sure, the goateed, grunge hero of the 1994 U.S. World Cup squad is perhaps better known today as a goatee-free, goading soccer commentator on ESPN, but that doesn’t mean you wouldn’t want to see him lace up the boots one more time, right? You’ll get that chance Jan. 21, when the Omaha Vipers take on members of that ’94 squad indoors at the Civic Auditorium. Reportedly Marcelo Balboa’s flowing locks will be there as will Tony Meola of World Cup — and to a lesser extent for the general sporting public I suppose — off-Broadway, New York Jets and Super Nintendo fame. Considering that the Vipers’ team colors are red, I hope this means we’ll see the return of the star-spangled and stonewashed blue kits the team made infamous. Those shirts were as American as a country song about apple pie — and nearly as ugly. That’s what made them great. And while we’re on the topic of colors, the Vipers will also play host to the Mexican Indoor National Team, Dec. 12. That means El Tricolor will bring the green, white and red to town just in time for Christmas. It’s all coming together. The Vipers open their home slate of games Nov. 21. For the complete, just-finalized schedule visit omahavipers.com. * Speaking of 1994, it’s impossible for me to read the word “extreme” and not think of that year. We were just a year off from the first X-Games, a few years removed from the ubiquitous Extreme ballad “More Than Words” and fully living in an era where everything from fruit snacks to full-bed pickup liners was marketed as being such a departure from previous iterations that the new products were, in fact, extremely tough, fruity or both. *What’s that to do with the Extreme Challenge MMA Cage Fight Nov. 24, at Harrah’s Casino? Admittedly little beyond the word, but if you like your cage fighting extreme this is your event. It’s an eight-bout card featuring, among others, local fighters Vito Agosta and “Big” Jim Axtell. Tickets range $25-$80 and are available at harrahscouncilbluffs.com or by calling 888.512.7469. The Jump takes you behind the local headlines. Email jump@thereader.com and look for daily updates at twitter.com/brandonlvogel.

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