Tony Meola is synonymous with soccer. There is not a more storied name as a goalkeeper in United States soccer history. He earned his 100th cap this past week in a national team game against Jamaica, and he was an original player when Major League Soccer was organized.
The New York Red Bulls are certainly happy that they had a net-minder with Meola's skills and experience. If not for the play of the 11-year veteran, the Red Bulls could have easily surrendered more than the one 89th minute goal that resulted in the 1-1 tie with Real Salt Lake.
"Meola was magnificent," said New York coach Mo Johnston. "He was outstanding back there. He is a premier keeper."
Meola commanded the defense and kept it organized for most of the contest. He had eight saves. The only slip up came on a free kick just outside the right side of the penalty box near the end line. Chris Klein centered the ball and Jason Kreis came in unmarked to hit a perfect header to the far post. There was nothing Meola could do but watch the ball hit the back of the net.
"I am not exactly sure how we leave the all-time leading scorer for MLS wide open in the box, but we did," said Meola. "I just want to win a soccer game. I haven't won a game yet this season (New York is now 0-0-3). I made a few saves, but I just needed to make one more save for us to get the win."
The goal was certainly not Meola's fault. It was his several key saves that kept New York in it. In the 45th minute, he poked away a shot from just near the penalty area that was centered by Andy Williams and deflected with a one-touch shot from Jeff Cunningham. Perhaps his most impressive stop came when he thwarted a one-on-one attack from Williams in the 63rd minute. Williams broke free and dribbled in toward the goal. Meola came off his line and met Williams just past the penalty spot where Williams tried to go around the keeper.
"I stuffed him," Meola said. "He tried to dribble me, and I got the ball first and then got a piece of him."
While Meola has plenty of experience on the world stage — he was the starting goalkeeper for the U.S. in the 1990 and 1994 World Cup and a reserve for the 2002 team — he does not diminish the importance of an MLS game.
"Those who know me know that it doesn't matter where it is or what level, I just want to win," he said. "I don't think about if it is with this team or the U.S. team, I just want to compete and do my best to help my team win. Soccer is soccer and I have a job to do."
Johnston and the Red Bulls are thrilled that Meola takes that approach to his goalkeeping duties, but they also would not mind if he got a little more national attention with the U.S. squad this summer.
"The door is open for Tony and the Word Cup, and I think he has shown that he is deserving," said Johnston. "I don't know if that will happen, but he has been absolutely amazing for us ever since he got here."
E-mail: mblack@desnews.com