SOCCER : Meola Stakes His Claim to Goalkeeper Job in 0-0 Tie

Tony Meola appears to have lost his patience with being patient. The veteran goalkeeper for the U.S. national soccer team was the starter in the 1990 World Cup, but since then he has been part of the U.S. Soccer Federation’s juggling act at his position.

Meola made his point emphatically Wednesday night when he stopped a penalty kick to preserve a 0-0 tie against Peru before a sellout crowd of 5,335 at Trabuco Hills High in Mission Viejo.

The United States is 1-4-9 this season in full international matches. It was the second scoreless tie for the United States in four days. The team has played 256 minutes without scoring.

Meola has been in a three-way soap opera. He and Brad Freidel are the two goalkeepers in the U.S. training camp. Kasey Keller, who has been impressive in England, recently met with USSF officials. The players have been told that no one is certain to make the World Cup roster, and that a purpose of the camp is to foster competition.

It’s worthwhile theory, but Meola vented some frustration.

“I’m tired of hearing that I’m not the No. 1 man,” he said. “I’ll let my actions speak for me. I haven’t been (with the team) for 4 1/2 years for nothing. I want to be the No. 1 man.”

Meola said U.S. Coach Bora Milutinovic told the team Tuesday that he would be the starting goalkeeper for the U.S. Cup and the Copa American tournament in Equador.

“It’s my job to lose,” Meola said.

However, Milutinovic said Meola had been told only that he would start the team’s next game, against Brazil.

Even that changes the goalkeeping rotation, because it is Freidel’s turn to start.

Meola was active all night, facing 11 shots and making five saves. He frequently ventured far from goal to retrieve balls and challenge players. His temper nearly got the best of him in the first minute of the second half, however.

Percy Olivares of Peru streaked up the left side, well into the penalty area, with no defender close. Meola dashed out and collided with Olivares at the top of the box. The ball rolled over the end line, and Meola was given a yellow card and Peru a penalty kick.

Meola charged the referee and wagged his finger under the nose of Arturo Angeles, to no avail.

“I never touched him,” Meola said of the foul. “He took a nice dive. He got what he wanted.”

Peru’s Jose Soto lined up for the penalty kick and chopped a rising shot that Meola had no trouble punching free. It was the third consecutive penalty kick Meola has saved.