Inductee, former teammates visit National Soccer Hall of Fame

On May 30, Tony Meola was inducted into the U.S. National Soccer Hall of Fame. In the late 1980s, Meola played for the Oceanside United Soccer Club before going on to win the Herman Award as a freshman. He continued to become one of the greatest goalkeepers in the history of U.S. soccer, participating in three World Cups and professionally for more than a decade with the Kansas City Wizards and New York Red Bulls. He was also drafted by the Yankees and was briefly a place kicker for the New York Jets.

Connolly and Primavera played for the Rockville Centre Soccer Club in the late 1980s under coach Mike Woythaler. Primavera attended Chaminade High School, where he was voted soccer team MVP twice and MVP of the Long Island High School Catholic Soccer League in his senior season. Connolly and Primavera later attended Columbia University, playing on the highly successful 1989-1991 Lions squads that were consistently ranked among the Top 20 teams of Division 1, qualifying for five NCAA tournament games in three years.

After college, Connolly and Primavera continued playing together for local semi-professional soccer teams, including the New York Athletic Club. Primavera lives in Rockville Centre and has coached his children’s soccer teams.