This date in MLS history: June 30

June 30, 1:43 PMMLS ExaminerCharlie Corr

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In 2005, goalkeeper Tony Meola returned to the N.Y./N.J. MetroStars when he re-signed with the team that marked the start of his Major League Soccer career in 1996.

The New Jersey native made it clear, though, that his local return was not for sentimental reasons alone. He came back with one mission in mind - to take home a title.

"This will be a failure if I don't leave here with a championship," Meola said. "This is where I started and where I always dreamed of playing as a kid. But the one void is that I haven't won a championship here."

Unfortunately for Meola, the title never came to fruition. He played in 15 games for the MetroStars in 2005, followed by a 20-game stint with the renamed New York Red Bulls in '06.

A title in New York merely would have been icing on the cake for Meola, who had a storied soccer career that included a banner 2000 campaign with the Kansas City Wizards (including a championship), eight career postseason shutouts and 250 regular-season games in MLS, and a U.S. National Team career that included two World Cups.

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Charlie Corr is a freelance sports writer based in Chicago. In addition to his Major League Soccer duties, he is the Chicago Sports Examiner and the creator of a Chicago-based soccer Web site, SlideTackles.net.

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