They handled him crying really well. I hate it when hosts feel the need to immediately comfort them or offer to change the subject, which happens all the time. Glad they just let it happen and unfold.

Tony is legend. I am in my 40's and he was the 1st American GK that I saw. Tony is a good man.

This has got to be some of the best soccer related content ever produced in the US. All you the hosts are great and Dempsey is so underrated, one of if not the best players in US history.

I wish more American fans knew about our history before the MLS. While other leagues were already established and thriving, many American players played just for the love of the sport during a time of financial uncertainty. Happy to see how far the sport has come.

@drewbranch7700

2 ай бұрын

Bro I remember it like it was yesterday.

@magamaga1827

Күн бұрын

So true. I played in the Big East as a freshman in 1990. Lalas had played the WC that summer but had nowhere to go but back to Rutgers! Lol. I remember seeing him and thinking he was at the top of the mountain...the idea of any of us playing for a living was unheard of. It was college soccer and maybe the National team.

Kate Abdo is exceptional

tony meola is everything good about US soccer

Okay why was this so special 😢 what a career Tony! You left your mark man! In a generation behind you and always knew you name.

7 күн бұрын

A great US goal-keeper. Always had confidence he would give his absolute best.

childhood hero ...and I grew up in Nigeria and was not a gk. You are a legend, Uncle Tony.

@MrBap231

8 күн бұрын

kate abdo was your hero? that's really sweet,

This is why I root for the US as an American, I remember those early days following such humble beginnings. Also love that the Football Powerhouse Nations like England still laugh at the US. It’s a chip on our shoulders as a team and a nation. The “Can Do” attitude

7 күн бұрын

England is not a 'powerhouse' nation. We haven't won anything in nearly 60 years. Most players, coaches and owners in England are foreigners.

I was born in '81, so Meola and the lads from '90 and '94 were the team that brought my attention to the International game. All these years later and Meola is still proving that he is every bit the class act and kind human that I had assumed he was when I was a child. Good stuff.

@tcolley

4 сағат бұрын

For those of us who grew up around this were very lucky

Tony is a class act. Love him.

What a solid dude and a fantastic job by Kate, Clint, Charlie helping illuminate that. T. Meola is not only an absolute hero for his role helping establish the game in this country, but should be someone with a role in advancing it forward still- further sinking in our roots. Such a humble, salt of the earth, intelligent guy that gets it on the sporting level of a team, but most importantly as a human being. We desperately need expertise within US Soccer, but also people like Tony with grounding character to help mold the culture.

As a Kansas City Wizards supporter, Tony is The GK! He's an absolute Legend for the club and an important part of our history. I had so much respect for him as a player and as a builder of this game that we love. But now I also have a huge respect for him as a person and a human being. Tony is legit. A real OG in US Soccer. Love the show and love this episode!

Tony Meola my first U.S football hero! Thanks for the great memories!

@TheGloryHunters

2 ай бұрын

mine too

amazing episode. Love how candid and honest everyone is. Genuinely genuine show.

I'm glad your grandmother was in the stadium before she passed away. After would have been weird. On a serious note, that's an awesome memory.

Tony is a gem of a media personality in the American soccer landscape. Great episode. As a Galaxy fan Meola pissed me tf off in the late 90s/early 00s because he was so friggin good. Had no idea how much of an OG he was at the time (the first WC I can recall watching was France ‘98).

@Handysoccersc

2 ай бұрын

Galaxy was my team also . The Landon Donovan Peter veganas Herculez Gomez days

Amazing interview! I was such a fan of Tony in the 90’s and he’s still an amazing human being and ambassador of the American version of this great game! I love his points about working together in US Soccer and knowing our own history!

Nothing is better than seeing those you admire be courageous enough to drop their guard. Another level of admiration. Great show.

This is a fantastic format for interviewing game I love - Kate is a fabulous host and has a terrific cast in Clint and Charlie. Tony was a beast, warrior, trail-blazer and hero for American soccer - and as humble as they come. Loved this episode.

This is by far the best episode yet. Powerful, nostalgic, and full of substance. He has a great perspective and part of a generation that should be honored/remembered more often for their contribution and impact on the sport domestically. All young players coming up should have an understanding and appreciation of who Tony and his teammates were. Quality stuff and more of this, please.

So many people across the world don't even know the impact this WC is about to have in America. Expect it to become the biggest sport in this country, and expect the next generation coming after that will breed the world class players we are waiting for. I can't wait for this country to finally appreciate this sport

@Michael-cb5nm

Ай бұрын

Just like what happened in after the US hosted in 94? It will help the game like it did then, but don’t expect it to become the biggest sport in the country based on one big spectacle.

7 күн бұрын

Soccer will never surpass football, baseball or basketball.

Love Tony. A true OG. Back in the day, early 90s, I played with a few players that would eventually play with Tony on the RoughRiders (Armas, Rooney, a few others). A great guy.

American legend! Met him and USNMT in Seoul 88. The team came to our HS on base.

What a greate guy, Tony. More power to you, legend.

1994 World cup was one of the most pivotal moments in kickstarting my interest and desire to play the game. The personalities (Tony Meola, Alexi Lalas, Coby Jones ) an the rest.. I will forever be indebted to you all. Special shout out to Clint... I was in the stadium In Nuremberg when you scored against Ghana. I also saw you play in Fullham at Craven Cottage. REGION 3 REPRESENT!!! Also played against your brother a few times :) Love the podcast----- Goes without saying

Absolutely amazing!!! Another fabulous show!!! Got mad love for Tony. He is amazing on this episode and love the cameos on Goalazo and of course his show Counter Attack on XM 157. Meola is a legend.

Watching this after Wynalda’s episode, and thinking how completely different those two individuals are. Meola is truly a class act.

Charlie Davies doing the most iconic celebration after scoring at Azteca…… The Stanky Leg at the Corner flag. We were dying 😂

1994 is when it started for me!

@drewbranch7700

2 ай бұрын

Say that again,my first World Cup.

Tony’s a legend, the first Captain America. People don’t understand, US soccer in the 90’s was wild af

These segments are great. Especially with the “OG” 90’s and Y2K USMNT players. Great perspectives behind the crest and behind the scenes. Great choices for the hostess and former payers as well.

Such a fantastic interview. Tony reminds me my childhood. I grew up in Togo and I remember waking up at midnight to watch the 1994 world cup games. I did not know much about the US team but I remember Tony was an impressive goalkeeper with his iconic jersey during that world cup. Players like Alexis Lalas, Cobi Jones, Marcelo Balboa... were the back bone of the US team. I watched all their games and was heartbroken when they in the round of 16 to Brazil.

7 күн бұрын

Tab Ramos was the best player.

I would love to see a show with a handful of players from the 94 team together.

Love you Kate, your daddy is so proud of you !!!! Tony love you, thanks for what you've done for soccer !! Clint n Chuck Wagon you're are great team !!!! Lot's love,,, been in soccer IL for over 48 yrs,, Love ya guyz... MJ Westmont IL

Tony, a REAL legend

Deuce is scared of Tony and rightly so. 90s players were built different. literally ready to fight. generation where that would likely happen not just with players but amongst fans, poisoned water in hotels, bribing refs, a whole different world. and his hands are HUGE. literal paws. love Tony Meola.

Great discussions about the grass roots of US Soccer. I remember watching Tony play fr LI Roughriders & Metrostars. Glad to have him as such a positive spokesperson for US Soccer.

Kate is the best. Love seeing the vulnerability Kate. You always get the guys to one up and to see you be vulnerable was really nice. xoxo

Tony Meola is a total class act and was the bedrock of our US team in the 90’s. The federations behavior and attitude is embarrassing and also the epitome of how lame they were at the time. Thank you Tony, you deserved so much better in that moment and always.

Such a fantastic interview. Tony is a legend and always will be a legend of football in this country. I am happy to see him still involved in the sport....

Best episode! Tony is a great human being!

When does part 2 come out? For real. Bring Meola back for more

Tony is the best. Such a legend.

BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION LEGEND! 💙 I have his jersey, wish he’d sign it someday 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

Great interview, massive respect 🫡 to Tony for the man he is…I relate to Clint so much saying Tony better man than him and the way he is w/ his daughter playing. Hope I can be more like Tony! 🙌🏼

Legends

Good interview. Open, honest and raw. Hope the US can keep climbing up.

Tony!!!

i love this series

I love this show!

Y'all put on a helluva show. I love it

Legend 🔥👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

Great episode!

As a kid who grew in that period and also sharing the same sentiments as Deuce about how we North Americans/US are perceived about soccer/fútbol.

SUPPORT THE USL!!!! Great league with a high level of play. Fan culture is (in my experience) way better and more homegrown/organic than the MLS. It's less about professional sports as a spectacle and more about the beautiful game and the culture that charges it.

This episode was great, people at the US federation should get this guy a job

I'm embarrassed that I didn't know him but now I do. He was a legend and a beast in the box!!! 💯

I really like Tony

I do like Tony in the media a lot. I hope to see more of him. And I can tell a lot of people like this content. But Tony, Jesse, Clint before that, I think Charlie and Thierry too. This pod has become the freaking water works show! Is this kicking it or the view??

Tony Meola!

from south american ..greetings..luv the show...one thing is left you gotta play the south american teams or europeans teams more often and consistenly and that's it...

OK where is the ‘love’ button?

Tony, "No Host team has ever not made it to the next round"... South Africa, "Hold my beer".

@drewbranch7700

2 ай бұрын

I think he meant previously to them at that time.

Luckily, times seem to be changing and athletes are being allowed to deal with personal issue and not be told to "tough it out." Whatever it was, Tony, sorry you had to go through it.

What makes this a Texas edition? I don’t get why they said that at the beginning.

In 1994 I was given a hamster. I named it Tony Meola 🐹🐁🐭

There's no crying in football!

Don’t know about this guy but the way he talks about adversity & not being part of the problem in us soccer is very commendable, us soccer should be made up of people solely like him we’d make insane progress in 3-5 yrs max

Watching this interview, plus Arena's, plus Wynalda's, there's a common theme - the US Soccer Federation is messed up.

Believe it or not Tony’s parents are from the same town in Italy my father is. I’m told we are relatives

No disrespect to Tony, he's a legend and I watched him play live on TV when I was growing up. But Tonys proportions, his build is wild. Dude is wide as hell, the man doesnt trim his nails. They drag.

The US might be the only country where players who never won anything significant at international level are called "legends".

what a gem of an episode. So deep. Thanks for let us in on who you are. God bless! Still remember Tony with the poney tail at WC'90

Got to take a few shots on this guy in a 5-a-side goal well after ge retired. I scored 0. UNCLE TONYYYYYYYYYY

I could never understand why he was the starting goalkeeper for the national team. He was terrible and they had Brad Friedel who was top notch and far more talented than Meola.

Haway man Kate. Sort the accent out. It’s really uncomfortable the way it morphs. Stay true as you’re really good but please keep it real.