The Case For Meola?

April 28th, 2006 | by: Daryl |

Kristian Dyer of ESPN Soccernet makes a fairly convincing case for Tony Meola to go as the third keeper, ahead of Marcus Hahnemann. The logic goes that Meola has valuable World Cup experience that Hahnemann lacks, and with Hahnemann set to turn 34 during the tournament he won’t be around for 2010 anyway.

I’d argue that Hahnemann is playing at a higher standard and is in much better form than Meola right now. The Red Bulls keeper is past his best (he looked lost as Facundo Erpen’s shot flew past him from 40 yards last weekend) while Hahnemann is at the peak of his career with winning promotion to the Premiership. The Reading keeper may not be around for 2010, but he still has a couple more years to go.

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Chuck

Interesting.

I have a couple of issues with the article. First, I think I do a pretty good job in my ability to speak “Bruce.” And if my translations are correct, Tim Howard is the #3 keeper. Hahnemann is clearly the first alternative to Keller. Getting minutes for your club team is very important to (the) Bruce.

[Related Tangential Comment]
Which is why I had some worries about DMB — I sometimes get the feeling he’s not an automatic lock for the Starting XI…
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The other issue I have with the article is just simply the logic used to weed out Hahnemann. Lots of goalies play at a high level well into their late 30’s. I think at the last World Cup, England’s David Seaman was actually something like 63 years old…

Anyways, here comes the logic leap: The author concludes that Hahnemann (who is now aged 33), is probably too old to be considered for the 2010 world cup (which, in South Africa, will probably be played in February because June/July is winter down there). If my calculations are correct, Hahnemann will be 37 in the year 2010.

Tony Meola is 37 right now.
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Besides what Chuck already mentioned,

Meola was a good choice for 2002, when there was clear tension between Friedel and Keller, and Meola was the locker room glue who would serve as peacemaker when needed.

This time, Keller is the clear #1 AND the locker room glue. Plus, MLS will be in season during the cup and RBNY need Meola. So why send him to Germany where he has no real purpose?