Tony Meola - WC 2006 Goalie

[timmy409]

TIMMY :)

[Jose L. Couso]

I would not discount Tony Meola. He is a fierce competitor.

The odds are against him, but we shall see what happens.

[GoHawks4]

Originally posted by GoHawks4
Remember this:

It's not the size of the cow in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the cow.

There, let me fix that. Tony is washed up.

[BenReilly]

Originally posted by togneter
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!


Oh, man, let me catch my breath.

There...better...



I was hoping you wouldn't catch your breath. Oh, well.

Meola has been consistently underestimated during his entire career despite the fact that he has had such a brilliant one. I just can't get over how shallow some people are. Let's face it. This has everything to do with his stocky appearance.

Will he be around in 2006? Probably not, but you would have DEFINITELY said the same thing about 2002 only a few years ago.

[BenReilly]

Originally posted by ballsmahoney
Friedel,Howard than Tony as the third. I Don't think Tony is a legit #3, but if we lose the top 2, his experience and poise will go a long way. It's about time we let Keller and his sulking ways take a walk.

I'm hoping Howard will be #1 by 2006, but Keller is still our best keep, sulking or otherwise. I think he actually behaved rather well, all things considered.

[andylovesoccer]

Originally posted by BenReilly


I was hoping you wouldn't catch your breath. Oh, well.

Meola has been consistently underestimated during his entire career despite the fact that he has had such a brilliant one. I just can't get over how shallow some people are. Let's face it. This has everything to do with his stocky appearance.

Will he be around in 2006? Probably not, but you would have DEFINITELY said the same thing about 2002 only a few years ago.

Meola has played great at times, like KC's championship season. He is no where near world class. Did you see his first touch of the ball during the All-Star game, and that was before the rainstorm mind you. A great example of how he has consistently given away balls through poor and sloppy distribution due to his bad foot skills throughout his career. He gets beat near post more than most good keepers. His stunning '94 Cup run was not so brilliant in retrospect and he quit the national team to attempt a career as a place kicker in the NFL for Pete's sake!!! Which, in my book, is way worse than anything Pyro-Goose pulled. No way is Meola around in 2006, unless it is as a GK coach.

[Casper1377]

#1-Zach Thornton
#2-Tim Howard
#3-Rimando/Hartman

but who knows how things will shape up in the future? Somebody could really come on or somebody could just flop...

[Sweeper]

Originally posted by Casper1377
#1-Zach Thornton
#2-Tim Howard
#3-Rimando/Hartman

but who knows how things will shape up in the future? Somebody could really come on or somebody could just flop...

Are you dumb? Zach Thornton? I am hoping that someone comes along who is better the Howard but Thornton?

[SoccerMavn]

Originally posted by Casper1377
#1-Zach Thornton
#2-Tim Howard
#3-Rimando/Hartman



Boy, hasn't the Second Coming himself, Adin Brown, dropped off the radar screen. And deservedly so.

Howard and Thornton in 2006 seem to be locks, barring injury. I wouldn't be surprised to see either Friedel, Keller or Meola at number three though. Experience is a useful thing to have, even if only in training.

[sydtheeagle]

All this means is that some lucky bunch of supporters are going to get to sing "Who ate all the Pies?" in four years time.

[Wahoo]

If Meola can stay competitive in MLS during the next 3 years, I don't think it's a major stretch for him to be on the bench again in 2006.

Why was he brought along this year?
He knew as well as anyone he was brought in primarily to keep order on the team and because he knows how Bruce Arena runs things.

He is a favorite of Bruce for the non-soccer issues that come during a tournament and it wouldn't be too much of a stretch in my mind to see the keepers for 2006 be:

Friedel or Keller (but not both)
2 of Howard, Cannon, Meola.

If you had to rate USA goalkeeper performances in World Cup matches since 1990... it could very well be:
1) Meola (1990, 1994)
2) Friedel (2002)
3) Keller (1998)

By the way ... still calling him "Near Post Tony" really does him a disservice and goes back to positioning problems of 8 years ago. "No Respect Tony" may be more accurate.

[andylovesoccer]

I am pretty surprised by the popular opinion that Keller and/or Friedel will drop out of contention for the next WC. I wouldn't be terribly surprised to see them both battling for the top spot again. I predict that at least one of them will be on the team. Goalies only get better (wiser) with age, even Meola. Of course, I guess it is just as likely that one of them will retire in a huffing and puffing pouting episode.

[Alan S]

Originally posted by Wahoo
Why was he brought along this year?
He knew as well as anyone he was brought in primarily to keep order on the team and because he knows how Bruce Arena runs things.


I think another part of the reason Tony was the 3rd Keeper, was Bruce did not want to show any favoritism to any of the potential keepers developing in MLS for 2006. If he had chosen Nick R. or Tim Howard, that would have made them the likely #1 for 2006. By not selecting any of them, all now feel they have an equal chance.

I think the following are the best candidates for 2006.
Tim Howard
Joe Cannon
Brad Friedel (obviously)
JD Countess (if he recovers from his injury well).

I think any hopeful for GK should be trying to get into the EPL. Our great keepers have been coming from there, and I think both Tim Howard and Joe Cannon should try to find an EPL team to continue their development over the next four years.


If you had to rate USA goalkeeper performances in World Cup matches since 1990... it could very well be:
1) Meola (1990, 1994)
2) Friedel (2002)
3) Keller (1998)



Would agree with this. I think Keller 2002 could have been better then Friedel 2002 (except for the Korea game), but we will never know.

[Casper1377]

Originally posted by Sweeper


Are you dumb? Zach Thornton? I am hoping that someone comes along who is better the Howard but Thornton?

We're not laughing with you, Sweep, we're laughing AT you. Idiot...Thornton is arguably(likely) the best 'keeper in MLS. Let's see...
this is all before the current season:
in net in 113 MLS reg. season matches
66-33-11 record
shut out every team except New England
Led the Fire to to 2 U.S. Open Cups('98 & 2000) and 1 MLS Cup('98, shut out D.C.)
Won the MLS championship his first year as a starter('98)
Made MLS best 11 that same year, named to All-Star team and won MLS Pepsi GK of the year
Named to All-Star team every year since joining the Fire ('98,'99,2000,2001)
Has climbed to the top of MLS GK charts...1st in all-time wins (66) and 3rd in shutouts(29)
2001 Chicago Defender of the Year and league leading GAA(1.23). Played every minute of every game that year. Career high and league high 9 shutouts that year. Made over 5 saves several times in 1-0 victories that year.
2001 Play-offs GAA 0.79
2000 started 25 games, 14-0-0, 91 saves, 1.28 GAA
2000 playoffs helped Chicago make its second appearance in MLS Cup
1999 started 30 games with GAA 1.09

US Nats: 8 full Caps, "Man of the Match" vs. Trinidad & Tobago(4 saves)
Started all 3 games at Pan Am Games in '95
Started 2 of 5 games @ World Univ. Games in '95
Led East to the gold medal @ the Olympic Festival in '94

College: Loyola-MD, finished last year('93-'94)and career with 31 shutouts and 0.58 GAA in 43 games played. Helped Loyola to a 15-4-2 record his last year there.

Oh...and he considers his good friend Tim Howard as his most "anticipated foe"

I see Zach play week in and week out and he is the friggin' business! No doubt about it.
I believe this year he not only leads MLS in shutouts but in GAA too. If not, then he's certainly way up there. He's also widely considered one of the best, if not the best defensive organizers in MLS.

Now if that isn't a F'n pedigree what is???

I don't usually think quoting stats like this is necessary; but for you, take a long, hard look and eat your words fool!

cheers! :)

[McGinty]

Originally posted by GoHawks4


There, let me fix that. Tony is washed up.

I love when Fire supporters call Meola "fat". If you want fat, look at your #1.

I wouldn't bet on it, but he does fit the bill for a #3. Great attitude, and if Friedel isn't there, someone's got to help along the rookie.

[kasai]

Meola just gave up six the other day in Morellia, so maybe we better look elsewhere in 2006.

[Ronaldo13]

In 2006 i think Tim Howard will be stronger than Tony in goal...Tim will be the US goalie not Tony

[BenC1357]

Originally posted by Casper1377


We're not laughing with you, Sweep, we're laughing AT you. Idiot...Thornton is arguably(likely) the best 'keeper in MLS. Let's see...


If you listed all of Meolas "credentials you'd be searching the web for stats all freaking day. Your stats for Thorton don't even compare.

I wouldnt go so far as to call you dumb, but come on. Thorton is not the best keeper in MLS. Meola probably isnt either. People call Meola fat? I've stood right next to him a handful of time, I assure you he is no where near fat. Thorton, has a belly.

[Northcal19]

Originally posted by kasai
Meola just gave up six the other day in Morellia, so maybe we better look elsewhere in 2006.

Ahem. He gave up 6 in the last 40 minutes. thats about 14.0 GAA.

[flanoverseas]

Originally posted by Wahoo
If Meola can stay competitive in MLS during the

By the way ... still calling him "Near Post Tony" really does him a disservice and goes back to positioning problems of 8 years ago. "No Respect Tony" may be more accurate. but then you rated him first among US goalie performances-for his play 8 years ago :confused: