Tony Meola – Hall of Fame Inductee and Jillian Loyden – Keynote Speaker
Soccer News: NJ Youth Soccer’s 28th Annual Awards Dinner will take place on January 8, 2016 at the Pines Manor in Edison. Tony Meola and Jillian Loyden each will contribute to the 28th Annual Awards Dinner.
Related Article: NJ Youth Soccer 28th Annual Awards Dinner
Meola will be inducted into the NJ Youth Soccer Hall of Fame. Meola’s soccer roots began in NJ, leading the Kearny Scotts American Thistle FC youth teams to success at every turn. He also played on the NJYS State ODP Team under Manfred Schellscheidt. Following college at the University of Virginia, where he was a two-time All-American, Meola embarked on an illustrious international and professional career. The Kearny, N.J. native earned 100 caps for the U.S. Men’s National Team, and was on the squad for the 1990, 1994 and 2002 FIFA World Cups. Meola also had a successful 18-year club career, most of which was spent in MLS with the MetroStars, Kansas City Wizards and New York Red Bulls. In 2000, he was named league MVP, MLS Goalkeeper of the Year and led the Wizards to an MLS Cup victory, where he was also named MLS Cup MVP. Meola also showed his ability in player development, expertly training goalkeepers and scouting for the U-17 and U-20 national teams. Currently, Meola is the head coach for the NASL’s Jacksonville Armada and will accept the award via video recorded message due to his professional commitments scouting at the MLS Player Combine.
Loyden, former U.S. Women’s National Team, Sky Blue FC player and founder of the Jillian Loyden Foundation, will deliver the event’s keynote address. Loyden is a Vineland, NJ native and member of the NJ State ODP Team. In her junior year at Villanova University, she was named NSCAA First-Team All-American, First-Team All-Big East and Big East Goalkeeper of the Year. Professionally, Loyden was a member of the 2011 Women’s World Cup team that competed in Germany and the star goalkeeper for Sky Blue FC in 2013 and 2014. In 2014, Loyden created the JL Foundation to serve and provide resources to children who have faced unfavorable circumstances. “This event is a great opportunity to recognize these players’ achievements and talk about acknowledging every child’s self-worth, confidence, and the importance of leading a life with strong character and integrity,” said Loyden. “At the JL Foundation, we want young players to know their voices matter and can be used to make a difference in the lives of others.”
NJ Youth Soccer thanks the generous event donors for their contributions: adidas, New York Red Bulls, Sky Blue FC,Topps Trading Cards, Spikes Trophies & Awards, JAG Physical Therapy, Bownet, PM Studios, GraceChurch Associates, Major League Soccer, U.S. Soccer Federation, US Youth Soccer, Advocare and Barnabas Health.
