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
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