Meola feels the MLS is benefiting the US side (Allsport)
MLS HELPING USA -- MEOLA
By PA Sport Staff
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Major League Soccer has not been an unqualified success but United States veteran goalkeeper Tony Meola believes the national team are reaping the benefits.
Set up in the wake of USA 94, MLS has struggled to win audience share from the four mainstream American sports - baseball, NFL football, basketball and ice hockey.
Two teams were lost to contraction this season as financial concerns took hold.
However, with 12 of the 23-man World Cup squad playing on home soil, Meola is satisfied that MLS is doing its job in providing a platform for American talent.
Meola, now third choice for his country, remembers Italia 90 when the US had to scratch around for a full quota of players.
Now, he says, times have changed: "In 1990 we were looking for players number 20, 21 and 22 to fill out the roster.
"We had to scan the whole country to try to find guys for those roles.
"And now Bruce Arena has the luxury of releasing probably that many guys. The MLS has really helped the player pool and its depth and it has helped a lot of individuals play at this level.
"Hopefully we will see the fruits of that in the next couple of weeks."
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