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Meola is back with U.S. team
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- Tony Meola is back with the U.S. national soccer team and determined to make the most of his second chance.Coach Steve Sampson says the former team captain is focused, works hard every day at practice and has been everything he's looking for in a backup goalkeeper.
"The door's wide open for the No. 3 spot," said Sampson, who lists Kasey Keller as the starter, followed by Brad Friedel. "I don't care who plays.
"All I care is that people are match fit, sharp and they give an effort every day. And Tony has done that. All the possibility in the world is still open for him for the World Cup."
Meola is battling Mark Dodd, who has been slowed with a thigh strain, and Juergen Sommer for the third spot. Keller starts for Leicester in England's Premier League, while Friedel is the backup at Liverpool.
Meola, the starter for the U.S. in the 1990 and 1994 World Cups, left the American squad after the '94 World Cup to try out for the NFL's New York Jets and act in an off-Broadway show. He also spent two seasons with the MLS's New York-New Jersey MetroStars.
Meola, who probably will back up Friedel in today's game against Sweden, has a 27-35 record in the MLS and a 1.47 goals against average.
"It's a big thrill for me to be back playing at this level," Meola said. "I'm going to have to work hard every day and play to get myself back into the mix.
"If Steve chooses me for a backup role it's because he thinks that's where I can help the team. My goal is to be part of another World Cup. For now, I'm just happy to have the opportunity."
Meola has not played for the national team since July 4, 1994, a 1-0 loss to Brazil in the second round of the World Cup. But he longed to return to the U.S. squad.
"It's the chance to play for your country and play at the highest level," he said.
Despite the pressure of earning a roster spot, Meola still maintains his enthusiasm around his teammates.
"I like to have fun with the guys and joke around and be part of the jokes," Meola said. "I think the team understands that.
"Most of the guys on the team have known me for a long time."
Sampson said Meola's attitude is one of the reasons he has a chance to make the team.
"He's matured and he's more disciplined," Sampson said. "His attitude and openness to training is greatly improved.
"I think he's hungry. All great athletes need that fine edge to compete at the highest level. I think he's recaptured that edge."
Meola is proud of his accomplishments with the U.S. team. While playing for Virginia in 1989, he became the squad's starter in 1991 and shut out Trinidad and Tobago as the United States won to qualify for its first World Cup since 1950.
"It wasn't such a business back then," Meola, 28, said. "Now it's your living, so you have to think of it in those terms.
"I think I was part of the growth of our national team. But it certainly has gone to another level now, and I'm happy to be part of this level."
NEXT ROUNDS: Round of 16 || Quarter-finals || Semi-finals
GROUP A: Brazil, Morocco, Norway, Scotland
GROUP B: Austria, Cameroon, Chile, Italy
GROUP C: Denmark, France, Saudi Arabia, South Africa
GROUP D: Bulgaria, Nigeria, Paraguay, Spain
GROUP E: Belgium, Holland, Mexico, South Korea
GROUP F: Germany, Iran, United States, Yugoslavia
GROUP G: Colombia, England, Romania, Tunisia
GROUP H: Argentina, Croatia, Jamaica, Japan