
[email protected]
Tony Meola
US Men's Soccer Hall of Famer; Color Analyst for Major League Soccer
Meola made his U.S. National Team debut on June 10, 1988, against Ecuador. After playing in college for the University of Virginia (where he won the Hermann Trophy in 1988 and the MAC Award in 1989), he played every minute in goal for the US in the 1990 World Cup. He repeated that in the 1994 World Cup, when his play and ponytail made him a recognizable face around the country. After a long gap away from the national team after 1994, Meola's return later in the decade and into the 2000s vaulted him to 100 caps in 2006, the most for a U.S. goalie. He was the third-choice goalkeeper at the 2002 World Cup behind Brad Friedel and Kasey Keller. He was inducted into the US Men's Soccer Hall of Fame in 2012.
In the early 1990s, Meola had a stint in England with Brighton and then moved back to the U.S., playing for the Fort Lauderdale Strikers of the A-League. He also briefly played indoor soccer for the Buffalo Blizzard of the NPSL. In 1995, Meola played for the Long Island Rough Riders, leading them to the USISL championship. Upon the creation of Major League Soccer, he was allocated to the MetroStars, for whom he played between 1996 and 1998, starting almost every game. Meola was on top of the game during his time there, setting a league record with nine shutouts in 1996. He did not win the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Award, however, the honor going to Mark Dodd.
Meola was traded to the Kansas City Wizards (with Alexi Lalas for Mark Chung and Mike Ammann) in 1999, but missed most his first year in the midwest due to injury. In 2000, Tony had an amazing season, being named League MVP, Goalkeeper of the Year, and MLS Cup MVP as he led Kansas City to the championship. He shattered the league record by recording 16 shutouts.
Meola played for the Wizards through the 2004 MLS season. That year, an injury forced him out of contention. Bo Oshoniyi took over the goalkeeping position, and Meola was not asked back for next season. He was then re-acquired by the MetroStars in June 2005, and played well down the stretch. Meola was named to the MLS All-Time Best XI after the season.
Meola now serves as the Host of "Counter Attack" on SiriusXM FC and is a Color Analyst for the MLS Chicago Fire.
Related Speakers View all
![]() |
Tim Howard
Goalkeeper for the U.S. National Soccer Team
|
![]() |
Marcelo Balboa
Marcelo Balboa is an American former soccer defender...
|
![]() |
Jeff Agoos
Retired American soccer defender, and one of the all...
|
![]() |
Eric Wynalda
Former American Soccer Forward, All-Time Leading Sco...
|
![]() |
Clint Mathis
Retired American soccer player
|
![]() |
Claudio Reyna
Former Captain of the U.S. National Soccer Team
|
![]() |
Brad Friedel
Soccer Goalkeeper in the Premier League; Aston Villa...
|
![]() |
Tom Durkin
Sportscaster & Publics Address Announcer for Thoroug...
|
![]() |
Gerard Pique
Soccer Player for F.C. Barcelona; Represented Spain ...
|
![]() |
Sebastian Salazar
Comcast Sports; NBC
|
![]() |
Thom Hartmann
Author & Radio Host
|
![]() |
Bob Edwards
Member of the National Radio Hall of Fame; First Sat...
|
![]() |
Tim Ryan
Former NFL Defensive Tackle; Fox Sports Analyst; Fo...
|
![]() |
Mark Schlereth
3-Time Super Bowl Champion, TV Personality
|
![]() |
Craig Sager
Sideline Reporter for TNT
|
![]() |
Jalen Rose
ESPN Analyst & Former NBA Player
|
![]() |
Bill Macatee
Sports Broadcaster for CBS Sports & Tennis Channel
|
![]() |
Rece Davis
Sportscaster at ESPN Known for "SportsCenter" & "Col...
|
![]() |
Howard Stern
Radio & Television Personality, Producer, Author & A...
|
![]() |
Rick Reilly
ESPN Contributor and 11-Time National Sports Writer ...
|