NGLEWOOD, Calif. — Few people understand the significance of a World Cup on American soil better than Tony Meola.
The former U.S. men's national team goalkeeper, who helped the United States reach the Round of 16 during the 1994 FIFA World Cup, reflected on the growth of soccer in America and the expectations facing the current U.S. squad ahead of its World Cup opener at SoFi Stadium.
For Meola, the comparison between the 1994 team and the current generation begins and ends with the fact that both had the opportunity to play a World Cup at home.
"In 1994, we were relatively new to the international footballing world," Meola said. "We didn't have facilities. We didn't have a league. We were making it up on the fly. Now we're so much more established. Players are playing all around the world, players are playing here domestically in an incredible league, and the facilities are among the best in the world."
Meola credited Major League Soccer for helping transform the sport in the United States, pointing to the league's investment in stadiums, training facilities and player development since its launch in 1996.
"I don't think we get to this point without MLS," Meola said. "I've seen the yellow school bus picking you up at the airport to what they have now. We could only have hoped it would get to this point."
While the 1994 team entered its home tournament with relatively modest expectations, Meola believes the current U.S. squad faces a different reality.
"There's expectations with this group," Meola said. "That obviously changes the game a little bit."
Much of that pressure falls on captain Christian Pulisic, the AC Milan star widely regarded as the face of American soccer. Meola believes this tournament represents a unique opportunity for Pulisic and his teammates to leave a lasting legacy.
"This is a life-changing tournament when you play at home," Meola said. "The people who know soccer already know Christian. But there are going to be people who get introduced to the game because of this World Cup, and that's going to start tonight for this group."
Meola identified Pulisic and midfielder Weston McKennie as two players who must perform at a high level if the Americans hope to make a deep run.
"If Christian and Weston don't have World Cups, I find it hard that we're going to have success in this World Cup," he said.
The former goalkeeper also addressed concerns surrounding the U.S. goalkeeping position, which has historically been one of the program's strengths. While some observers view goalkeeping as a relative weakness compared to previous generations, Meola suggested that perception may be a reflection of improvements elsewhere on the roster.
"I've heard the narrative that goalkeeping is maybe the weakest of the lines," Meola said. "But does that mean the other lines are stronger? That wouldn't be a bad thing."
Asked what would constitute a successful tournament for the United States, Meola didn't hesitate.
"Since 2002, my barometer has always been the quarterfinals," he said. "If we want to be a great footballing nation, let's push the envelope a little bit."
Meola also pushed back on labeling the current squad the country's "golden generation" before it proves itself on the game's biggest stage.
"You've got to earn it for me," he said. "I'd love to see them become that. They've got six weeks here to become that."
More than three decades after helping introduce much of America to the World Cup, Meola sees this tournament as another landmark moment in the sport's evolution in the United States. The infrastructure is in place, the expectations are higher and the spotlight is brighter than ever.
Now, he says, it's up to this generation to seize the moment.
"The bell's about to ring," Meola said. "This is a massive opportunity for them as a team."