Tony Meola is one of the most recognizable faces in U.S. Soccer history ...and is in the last year of a six year contract for the Kansas City Wizards...and at 35, while he remains one of (MLS) Major League Soccer's elite goalkeepers, he is concerned that his contract will not be renewed, but is excited about possibly playing in Italy.

"Italy is my first choice," Meola said. "I would love for my kids to experience the Italian culture and how I grew up.
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Tony Meola 
DOB: 2/21/69, City of Birth: Belleville, New Jersey, Height: 6'1, Weight: 205

College/High School: Named an All-American goalkeeper by Parade Magazine while playing at Kearny High School that had a 24-0 record and the New Jersey state title in 1986. ... Was a first team All-American in 1988 and 1989 ... Won the 1989 Hermann Trophy and the 1989 Missouri Athletic Club award as the top collegiate soccer player in the country in his senior season at the University of Virginia ...A  two-year letter winner for the Virginia baseball team, he was later drafted by the New York Yankees ...

Professional: Recognized as one of the top goalkeepers in Major League Soccer ... Is a four-time MLS All-Star ... Has 63 career MLS wins, just two short of the all-time record …

Personal: One of the most recognizable faces in U.S. Soccer history ... Spent 11 weeks on the roster of the New York Jets of the National Football League as a place kicker following the ‘94 World Cup ... Father, Vincent, a local barber in Kearny, played professionally in Italy during the early 1960s ... Married to Colleen, the couple have two children, Jonathan and Kylie, and are expecting their third.
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SOCCER NOTEBOOK: MEOLA SEEKING CONTRACT SECURITY

New Jersey Star Ledger
By Frank Giase
Star-Ledger Staff
Tuesday, June 01, 2004

This should be the best time of Tony Meola's career. At 35, he remains one of Major League Soccer's elite goalkeepers and he is expected to earn his 100th cap for the U.S. national team in the June 13 World Cup qualifier against Grenada in Columbus, Ohio.

But there is an uneasiness about the season. He is in the final year of his contract and he says the league won't negotiate until the end of the season. He is happy in Kansas City and doesn't want to leave, unless he has to.

"It's hard to talk about the unknown," Meola said Sunday night after the Wizards' 1-0 loss to the MetroStars at Giants Stadium. "I think I can still play and I think I can still contribute. Believe me, if the league doesn't think that you can contribute, they'll let you know."

Meola, named MLS MVP in 2000 when the Wizards won the league championship, has given up only five goals this season, and his 52 career shutouts are a league record. He says he wants to play four more years.

The Kearny native is in his sixth year with the Wizards -- "I'm a midwesterner now," he says with a laugh -- and doesn't want to play anywhere else in the league. In a few weeks he expects his Italian passport to be finalized, which would enable him to play for any team in Europe without foreign player paperwork complications.

"Italy is my first choice," Meola said. "I would love for my kids to experience the Italian culture and how I grew up.

"I'm a security guy. That's why I've never come to the end of my contract in MLS. I've never come within two years to the end of my contract. My focus is to prove to (the league) I belong here, and hopefully I'm doing that this year."

Still, he said if the right offer from a foreign club comes along this summer, he'll take it. And unless MLS officials begin contract talks to prevent it, Meola, arguably the best goalkeeper in league history, may not be here at season's end.

Soccer notebook: Meola seeking contract security
http://www.nj.com/sports/ledger/index.ssf?/
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