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5 April 2002 (Teamtalk) -- Kansas City's veteran keeper Tony Meola has challenged U.S. coach Bruce Arena to select him as the third choice keeper for the World Cup finals.
Meola made his return to the national team in the 1-0 win over Mexico in Denver on Wednesday night, which earned him his 98th cap.
The 33-year-old goalie is currently in a three-way fight for a ticket to Asia this summer, as he tries to beat Tim Howard of New York and Chicago's Zach Thornton for the final spot. Ironically, all three keepers started their MLS careers with the MetroStars.
"It's no secret that I will be on the bench if I go to the World Cup and I accept that as part of being a team and accepting your role," said Meola. "Bruce Arena has said that on a number of occasions.
"I think this team can be very successful. We can compete with teams that in the past we couldn't. I want to be part of that as one of the top three goalkeepers for this country."
The first two slots of the U.S. keeper position have already been filled, with Blackburn's Brad Friedel fighting it out with Spurs' Kasey Keller for the starting role. Meola, however, has no problem with backing the duo up, should he go.
"I wouldn't be embarrassed or ashamed by playing backup to either one of those keepers," he added. "In fact it's quite the opposite. I'm sure there would be a lot of guys that want to be in that spot."
Meola also dispelled any suggestion that he was hoping to be selected as an international swansong to his long service with the national team, claiming he will still fight it out for caps in Arena's team, after the World Cup finals.
"My plan after the World Cup is to still compete for a goalkeeping spot on the national team. For some reason we're considered old," he noted.
"I don't consider this the end for me, but if the coach tells me it's time, well then it's time. I don't plan on this being the end after the World Cup."
Meola made his return to the national team in the 1-0 win over Mexico in Denver on Wednesday night, which earned him his 98th cap.
The 33-year-old goalie is currently in a three-way fight for a ticket to Asia this summer, as he tries to beat Tim Howard of New York and Chicago's Zach Thornton for the final spot. Ironically, all three keepers started their MLS careers with the MetroStars.
"It's no secret that I will be on the bench if I go to the World Cup and I accept that as part of being a team and accepting your role," said Meola. "Bruce Arena has said that on a number of occasions.
"I think this team can be very successful. We can compete with teams that in the past we couldn't. I want to be part of that as one of the top three goalkeepers for this country."
The first two slots of the U.S. keeper position have already been filled, with Blackburn's Brad Friedel fighting it out with Spurs' Kasey Keller for the starting role. Meola, however, has no problem with backing the duo up, should he go.
"I wouldn't be embarrassed or ashamed by playing backup to either one of those keepers," he added. "In fact it's quite the opposite. I'm sure there would be a lot of guys that want to be in that spot."
Meola also dispelled any suggestion that he was hoping to be selected as an international swansong to his long service with the national team, claiming he will still fight it out for caps in Arena's team, after the World Cup finals.
"My plan after the World Cup is to still compete for a goalkeeping spot on the national team. For some reason we're considered old," he noted.
"I don't consider this the end for me, but if the coach tells me it's time, well then it's time. I don't plan on this being the end after the World Cup."