Tony Meola on 1994 World Cup, His All-Time USMNT XI & His Best Performance

Tony Meola on 1994 World Cup, His All-Time USMNT XI & His Best Performance

Author: iHeartPodcasts March 10, 2026 Duration: 32:24

This week on Inside American Soccer, Tom Bogert and Tab Ramos welcome back USMNT legend Tony Meola. Tony reflects on his unlikely journey, from playing center forward at Kearny High School in New Jersey, to attending the University of Virginia on a dual baseball and soccer scholarship, to the disappointment of being cut from the 1988 Olympic team.

He opens up about the greatest performance of his national team career, the life-changing impact of the 1994 World Cup, and the emotional pump-up video the team watched inside the Pontiac Silverdome the night before their opening match against Switzerland.

Plus, Tab and Tony reveal their All-Time USMNT Starting XIs, and Tony shares the story of becoming the unlikely star of a “Broadway” play.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


For those who live and breathe the domestic game, Inside American Soccer with Tom Bogert and Tab Ramos offers a conversation that feels like pulling up a chair at the experts' table. This isn't just surface-level recap; it's a deep, nuanced discussion driven by two distinct and authoritative voices. Tom Bogert brings his boots-on-the-ground reporting, delivering the latest transfer whispers, roster updates, and breaking news from every corner of Major League Soccer and beyond. Paired with him is the legendary Tab Ramos, whose perspective is forged from decades at the highest levels as a player, a coach for U.S. Soccer, and a keen tactical mind. Together, they unpack the performances of the United States Men's National Team with a critical yet constructive eye, analyzing formations, player development, and the pressures of international competition. Each episode of this podcast feels like an insider's briefing, where informed opinions are debated and the stories behind the headlines are fully explored. It’s for the fan who wants to understand not just what happened, but why it matters for the future of American soccer. The dynamic between Bogert's journalistic rigor and Ramos's experiential wisdom creates a uniquely valuable listen, produced by iHeartPodcasts, for anyone invested in the sport's growth in this country.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

Inside American Soccer with Tom Bogert and Tab Ramos
Podcast Episodes
Final USMNT World Cup Roster Projection [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:19
Tom Bogert and Tab Ramos go position by position to project Mauricio Pochettino’s final USMNT roster for the FIFA World Cup. How many players will the U.S. bring at each position, and which names will make the final cut?…
Pulisic Injury, Gio Scores a Goal, & USMNT World Cup Scouting Reports [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:45
Tom Bogert and Tab Ramos break down the latest USMNT news, including Johnny Cardoso being ruled out of the World Cup, concerns surrounding Christian Pulisic’s glute injury, and what Gio Reyna finally scoring again in the…
Pulisic Worry Meter & USMNT World Cup Performances Ranked [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:05
Tom Bogert and Tab Ramos break down the latest USMNT storylines as the FIFA World Cup approaches. Tab makes the case for why Diego Luna and Johnny Cardoso dereseve spots on Mauricio Pochettino’s roster, while also expres…
USMNT Concerns + Alex Ramos on Elite Training & Growing Up with Tab [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:19
Tom Bogert and Tab Ramos open the show by checking in on the latest USMNT performances, including Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie facing off in Serie A, Alex Freeman earning his first start in La Liga, and Gio Reyn…
The Pulisic-Balogun Miss & USMNT Trust Rankings for the World Cup [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:19
Tom Bogert and Tab Ramos break down the biggest storylines surrounding the USMNT heading into the FIFA World Cup, including the red-hot form of Folarin Balogun and the missed opportunity to build chemistry with Christian…