Kneeling for the national anthem ain't exactly an epidemic ... but those protests got no place on Team USA -- so says American soccer legend Alexi Lalas.
We got Lalas at LAX ... and the former USMNT star told TMZ Sports where he stood on the whole athletes-taking-a-knee debate.
"When you're representing your country for the national team ... you should be required to stand."
But to be clear -- "There's a difference between representing your country in the international game and representing your club."
Basically, Alexi doesn't have Donald Trump-level disgust with the NFL movement ... but he's takin' a stand when it comes to reppin' the red, white and blue.
Team USA's Jermaine Jones feels the same ... and doesn't think it's gonna happen in the MLS either.