Tony Meola

Tony Meola (born February 21, 1969 in Belleville, New Jersey) is an American goalkeeper, who became one of the most famous soccer players in the United States after his play in the .

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Meola made his US 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 . 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 in the late 1990s, Meola's return vaulted him to 99 caps, the most for a US goalie. He was a third-stringer to Brad Friedel and Kasey Keller at the .

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In the early 1990s, Meola began his professional career playing for the Fort Lauderdale Strikers of the A-League. He also breifly 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 (it has been said that league politics had a lot to do with that selection).

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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 lead 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 soon left the team. He was then re-acquired by the MetroStars in June 2005.

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Meola's non-soccer ventures include trying out as a placekicker with NFL's New York Jets in 1994, appearing Off-Broadway in Tony and Tina's Wedding in 1995, and running his own mortgage firm.

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February 21: February 21 is the 52nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. There are 313 days remaining, 314 in leap years....

1969: 1969 was a common year starting on Wednesday...

Belleville: Belleville is the name of several places in North America:...

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