WORLD CUP USA ’94 / THE FIRST ROUND : Spotlight : IN DEFENSE OF MEOLA

As a goalkeeper, the United States’ Tony Meola is inclined to protect his turf. But never has he been more defensive than he was in the months before the World Cup when some reporters suggested that U.S. coaches should bring in goalkeeper Kasey Keller for a look.

Meola fumed, insisting that the U.S. team wouldn’t need Keller, who plays for Millwall in England’s first division, because it already had a starting goalkeeper--Meola.

So it was interesting to see Keller listed prominently in an article in Wednesday’s edition of “ ’94 Cup Daily” about stars from around the world who are not playing in the World Cup.

According to the newspaper’s masthead, its founder and chief executive officer is Michael F. Sanchez, who is one of Meola’s best friends. And Meola is one of the paper’s regular columnists.

The headline over the pictures of the missing players:

“Wish You Were Here . . . “

In Keller’s case, maybe not.