Tony Meola, the former World Cup goalkeeper for the US national soccer team, suffered a heart attack on Thursday, one day before his 56th birthday.
Meola represented the USMNT at the 1990, 1994 and 2002 World Cups. The first two are starting goalkeepers, while the latter features 35 clean sheets, over 101 career caps.
The New Jersey native played five MLS seasons in two separate stints for the Metrostar/Red Bulls, and six more seasons in the Kansas City sports.
Meola told Athletic On Saturday he was “It's okay” and he was also quoted on the soccer website frontrowsoccer says“If one of you had to go to the doctor and get a medical checkup, this was worth it for me. I'd be fine for a week, but I should have been smarter.”
Meola, who played briefly in the UK for Watford and Brighton & Hove Albion, has spent time as a television commentator since his retirement in 2007.
He tried the Jets as a place kicker in 1994, but was cut during training camp.
