Before she was a U.S. national team star, Lori Lindsey was a kid in the backyard pretending to be Tony Meola—mullet and all. In this episode, Christina and Lori sit down with the U.S. Soccer Hall of Famer for a funny, honest, and far-reaching conversation that spans generations of the game.
🎧 Topics include:
– Why today’s penalty takers are crumbling—and what’s changed in goalkeeping
– How Tony would’ve thrived in the modern game (but not the 300 dives a day)
– What keeps him coming back to the mic—and whether coaching still calls
– Cheat sheets, stutter steps, and the science (and stress) behind modern PKs
It’s a mix of nostalgia, insight, and big energy from three voices who’ve helped shape American soccer on and off the pitch.
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#TonyMeola #LoriLindsey #ChristinaUnkel #Soccerish #Goalkeeper #USMNT #WOSO #SoccerPodcast #PenaltyKicks #MulletEra
⏱️ Time‑Coded Highlights:
00:00 – England wins the Euros—but Lucy Bronze’s fractured tibia steals the headlines
01:34 – Lori: “It’s heroic—but what message does it send to young players?”
03:51 – Christina: “We need to talk about pain, glory, and responsibility”
05:24 – Chloe Kelly’s penalty routine has entered the cultural chat
06:55 – Special guest Tony Meola joins from a familiar hotel room
09:52 – Christina confesses: “I wanted to be Tony Meola as a kid” 🧤
11:39 – Tony: “Penalties today are harder—goalkeepers have evolved”
13:01 – Lori: “There’s more pressure than ever on women’s players now”
15:29 – What’s on that water bottle cheat sheet? Tony breaks it down
17:44 – Tony: “We didn’t even defend the middle of the goal back in my day”
20:24 – How Tony stumbled into broadcasting (and nailed it)
23:31 – Lori: “What keeps you in the game?” Tony: “The people.”
26:23 – Coaching comeback? Tony still feels most at home on the grass
28:39 – Reinventing adrenaline: Lori, Christina, and Tony on booth vs. pitch
31:30 – Tony on goalkeeping evolution: “I’d have thrived today”
33:17 – “45 minutes—still no hands!” The state of keeper training today
35:06 – Should we ditch penalties? Christina and Tony say no way
36:55 – Christina: “Tampa fans want shootouts—we want the drama”
38:01 – What Tony’s watching: MLS playoffs, EPL chaos, and Serie A heartbreak
39:39 – Christina: “We both won titles this summer—now it’s your turn, Tony”
40:22 – Mullet confirmed: Christina Googles 90s Tony Meola for the win
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