Setting: 1993 US Cup. America had come off a 2-0 loss to Brazil and turns around to play England in their second game.

Why it's great: Meola has the game of his life, shutting down England repeatedly. While the US finished third in their own tournament, it was Meola who secured England’s last-place finish by saving goal-after-goal. The consequences aren’t severe from the win but as far as goal-saving performances go, this is at the top.



BEST OF THE REST

11. David Vanole vs. Costa Rica, 1989 World Cup Qualifier - The US’s 1986 World Cup qualifying ended at the hands to Costa Rica, losing 1-0 in Los Angeles. Four years later, the US is into the final round of qualifying riding on the momentum by topping Jamaica in the previous round and Mexico getting banned from from qualifying by FIFA. Listen to head coach Bob Gansler and teammate John Harkes recount Vanole’s match-saving stop.

12. Hope Solo vs. Australia, 2015 World Cup - Early on, Solo was tested from just inside the 18 (5th minute) and again on a one-time volley (12th minute) but the Aussies were held at bay on both attempts. The game would be 1-1 at halftime before the US would open it up in the second half, winning 3-1. It was a mostly quiet second half but it easily could have been 3-1 the other way had it not been for some crucial stops from Solo.

13. Hope Solo vs. Brazil, 2011 World Cup Quarterfinal - After all the drama from the 2007 World Cup matchup against Brazil, it seems only fitting that Solo would have something to prove when the two teams went to penalties in the knockout round. While the US would lose to Japan in the final, Solo would finish the tournament with the Best Goalkeeper award.

14. Brad Guzan vs. Mexico, 2013 World Cup Qualifier - Longtime back Brad Guzan fills in mightily for Howard when he's dealing with a back injury, earning a rare point at Azteca in WCQ. Guzan never looked overwhelmed and held his ground strong in situations that could have easily ended up with the ball in the net.

15. Tim Howard vs. England, 2010 World Cup - The last time the two played in the World Cup was in 1950 when the US won 1-0. While it wasn’t exactly the right start for the US in the night, Howard made sure there weren't any more goals after that. He would win Man of the Match and preserve the much-needed point that eventually put the US atop the group.

16. Briana Scurry vs. Brazil, 2004 Olympics Final - Scurry and the USWNT would need extra time in an eventual 2-1 win over the Brazilians but it was because of Scurry’s low saves and denial of an indirect kick in the box that kept her team in the gold medal match. 2004 would be Scurry’s last tournament run as the starting goalkeeper.

17. Hope Solo vs. Canada, 2012 Friendly - Watch quite possibly the best save by any US goalkeeper ever at 2:05 that earmarked Solo’s tenacious approach to being the number one for the USWNT.

18. Briana Scurry vs. North Korea, 2003 World Cup - Scurry faced two looping shots under the crossbar that, if faced against another goalkeeper, they’re certainly goals. Of course, Scurry covers them with ease in a 2-0 group stage win.

19. Hope Solo vs. Japan, 2012 Olympic Final - The year before the US’s World Cup pursuit ended short in penalties to Japan in an emotional finale. Fast-forward a year and it’s the same two teams in the final, both going for an Olympic gold. With multiple high reflex saves, including a massive 1v1 stop near the end of the game, Solo led the US to the gold medal stage.

20. Kasey Keller vs. New Zealand, 1999 Confederations Cup - Keller has two extension saves against New Zealand in their opening game of the 1999 Confederations Cup, helping the US win 2-1.

21. Kasey Keller vs. Mexico, 2001 World Cup Qualifier - It’s only the second of two losses included on this list but Keller stood on his head to keep the scoreline only at 1-0 for a World Cup qualifier in Mexico.

22. Tim Howard vs. Spain, 2009 Confederations Cup Semifinal - Howard snaps Spain's thirty-five game unbeaten streak with a shutout in the 2009 Confederations Cup. Howard would finish up the Confederations Cup by winning best goalkeeper of the tournament. Not a ton of involvement from the Evertonian but still a massive win in the end.

23. Chris Seitz vs. Brazil U20s, 2007 U20 World Cup - Seitz weathers the storm, providing a number of saves throughout the match, including a big double save in the 86th minute. The win would be the springboard for the US to finish 7th at the U20 World Cup, one of its best finishes at the time.

24. Kasey Keller vs. Iraq, 1989 U20 World Cup Quarterfinal - Keller was the anchor for the 1989 run, seeing the US finish fourth in the tournament. The US beat Iraq in the quarterfinals in extra time before falling short to Nigeria in the semifinal match. The team would unanimously support Keller’s outstanding play as well as see him earn praise from FIFA. Keller was awarded the Silver Ball, the tournament’s second-best player.

25. Brad Friedel vs. Mexico, 2002 World Cup - Not the most exciting 2-0 shutout but Friedel deals well with some dangerous high balls in the US’s most notable win ever over Mexico, setting up their best World Cup finish since 1930.

26. Tony Meola vs. Colombia, 1994 World Cup - Meola’s best save of the match was unfortunately immediately followed by Colombia’s lone goal in a 2-1 win for the US. True to his nature, Meola did an excellent job of shutting down through balls into the box with his explosive speed, as well as handling some dangerous headers flicked on to frame. Meola’s involvement with the match wasn’t the most when you survey the field, but he was in net for the US’s first World Cup win since 1950, propelling them out of the group stage since 1930.

27. Hope Solo vs. France, 2011 World Cup Semifinal - The 3-1 win is a little deceiving as the US scored two goals late into the match, long after Solo made an important 1v1 save in the first half of the World Cup semifinal. It was a tightly contested battle that only opened up late into the match.

28. Kasey Keller vs. Costa Rica, 2005 World Cup Qualifier - Keller builds off his 2006 campaign with some very nice saves in a 3-0 win.

29. Kasey Keller vs. Panama, 2005 World Cup Qualifier - Keller displays the rarely seen but always fantastic triple-save against Panama.

30. Tim Howard vs. Argentina, 2008 Friendly - The US is coming off of losses to England and Spain and heading into their first World Cup Qualifying, need some momentum. Howard rises to the challenge, stopping three 1v1s all in the first half.

31. Brad Guzan v Panama, 2017 Gold Cup - A disappointing team-effort from the USMNT but Guzan manages to help salvage a point in the opening game of the 2017 Gold Cup with some quick reactions in a 1-1 tie.

32. Kyle Campbell vs Italy U20s, 1991 U16 World Cup - Campbell and the US opened the U17 World Cup with a 1-0 win over Italy, after which Campbell would receive an award from Pele. The U17s would finish fifth in the tournament, losing in penalties to Qatar in the quarterfinals.

33. Brian Bailey vs. Brazil U16s, 1989 U16 World Cup - The Washington Post would praise Bailey’s efforts in the 1-0 win, as he “saved the victory eight minutes into the second half when he smothered a shot from the wide-open Marcio.”

34. DJ Countess vs. England, 1999 U20 World Cup - The U20s would end up losing in the knockout round 3-2 to Spain, the eventual champions, but Countess’ efforts in the opening rounds impressed many, including European scouts.

35. Hope Solo vs. China PR, 2006 Friendly - Solo displays an incredible double save. Skip to 2:15 for the acrobatic display.

36. Marcus Hahnemann vs. Guatemala, 2005 World Cup Qualifier - Hahnemann earned nine caps for the national team, including this one here where the long-time Reading goalkeeper makes a couple nice saves against Guatemala for the 2006 World Cup Qualifying, including a top-notch save at 2:25