While more and more people found out that New York Red Bulls goalkeeper Tony Meola would be out two to three weeks because of a bacterial infection in his right foot and ankle, backup Jon Conway, attesting to his status as a veteran in his sixth MLS season, stood confident.
Conway has dealt with this type of situation many times before, and he is ready to step in between the posts for his team's next few games, starting with Colorado on Friday afternoon at Giants Stadium.
In talking to the media on Wednesday after practice, when asked if he changes his preparation routine from week-to-week whether he is playing or not, Conway replied, "I prepare the same way every game."
It is this type of professionalism and experience that makes his coaches and teammates sure that Conway will be highly dependable in the coming weeks.
"Jon's been solid for us in the games that he's played, he's been solid in the reserves, he works hard everyday, he shows up and trains and obviously, he's ready to step in," said Red Bulls interim head coach Richie Williams. "I have confidence he's going to do a good job."
Conway joined New York from San Jose (now Houston) on Dec. 5, 2005 and has already been called upon to start twice this season. Finding out he was the starter just 30 minutes before kickoff after Meola strained his left calf, Conway made five saves in a 1-1 tie against the Chicago Fire on May 13 and played a part in a 5-4 win over Chivas USA the following week.
The final score line in that game was deceiving, as Conway made a career-high eight saves in a match that saw "weird goals" according to Williams. Career-wise, Conway has featured in 20 games with a 1.61 GAA.
As the backup to MLS starters Pat Onstad (Houston) and Joe Cannon (Colorado) in the past, Conway said that he uses a consistent weekly routine to stay ready just in case his number is called, while applying lessons from his former teammates into his own preparation. This trend has continued to his term with the Red Bulls and playing with Meola.
"You learn something from [Meola] just [in] training, watching him, how he approaches things, how he approaches games, how he prepares," Conway said. "I take that and try to add it to what I do and what I feel works for me."
He will be challenged on Friday by a Colorado team that is riding a two-game winning streak and is 3-1-1 in its last five. The Rapids boast threats on the offensive end such as leading-scorer Jovan Kirovski, Nicolas Hernandez and former New York striker Clint Mathis. Conway, who only recently found out about Meola's status, said that he would examine the Red Bulls' opponents as the game approaches.
"I'm sure we'll go over that before the game," Conway said. "Right now, I'm just concerned about getting myself prepared."
And his teammates know that he'll be just fine.
"I don't think the team will miss a beat. Obviously, it's a big loss losing Tony, but having 'J-Co' step in like that is big for us," said former San Jose teammate and current Red Bulls defender Todd Dunivant. "He's been around this league, he's been in this situation before and he's going to step up like he has in the past, so we're not worried at all."
"In the [other] opportunities I had, I went in and did my job and now I have another opportunity," Conway said.
