Cobi Jones at the Home Depot Center June 2003 (Inaugural Home Depot Center game) by Unknown Author – Wikimedia Commons

10 Top Facts about Cobi Jones


 

Cobi N’Gai Jones is an American footballing great by any measure. Yes, he was not the flashiest footballer but he was a skilled and dedicated server of the USMNT.

He played as a central midfielder and was at times deployed as an attacking midfielder. He was a fast and hardworking player who managed to avoid injuries which meant he could be relied on more often than not. This enabled him to end his career as the all-time leader in terms of caps for the USMNT.

Jones’ career took him to various countries and continents including Europe, South America, and North America. The majority of his career was however spent in his home continent. This article will highlight some important facts about the life and career of Cobi Jones.

1. Started Soccer at Westlake High School

Jones was born on 16th June 1970 in Detroit Michigan. Later, he and his family moved to Westlake Village in California.

It was at Westlake that Jones began his football career. However, football was not the only sport he was interested in at this level. He also did track which he completed in high school with a varsity letter. Jones also got a varsity letter for football which is what he opted to pursue.

2. Went to College to Study Environmental Law

After completing high school and getting his varsity letters, Jones went to college at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). On joining the college, Jones’ intention was to get a degree in Environmental law. This was because he was at the university without a scholarship.

He paid little attention to soccer but decided to give soccer a final try. UCLA was/is a soccer powerhouse and Jones made the team.

Jones belonged to the worldwide fraternity Lambda Chi Alpha while he was a student at UCLA. When Jones completed his career at UCLA, he was tied for the most assists ever.

In 1991, the NCAA named him to the second team of All-Americans after he had also coached his team to an NCAA Championship. He graduated from the college as one of its most successful soccer-playing graduates.

3. Cut Twice from The Olympic Coach Due to Lack of Skills

Sad/disappointed by Daniel Reche from Pixabay

Following the success Jones got in college, it was a no-brainer that football was the way to go for him. Following his completion of college, he decided to pursue the sport full-time.

He might have cruised in college but the beginning of his senior career was not always easy. Jones was not a skillful player but relied mostly on his pace and power. This meant that he was not anyone’s favorite pick. For example, at 21, he was cut from the USA’s Olympic team twice by then-coach Lothar Osiander.

4. His International Form Got Him Recognition

After the cuts from the Olympic team, Cobi persevered and got a call-up for the 1991 Pan American Games. He proved his worth to his doubters helping his team win the gold medal. His best performance at the games came against neighbors Canada where he scored and provided an assist.

He was part of the US team for the 1992 Olympics and was a key part of the squad. He proved his ability to play at the highest level which saw him get recognition from Europe and other parts of the world.

5. Made USMNT debut at 22

After impressing at the 1992 Olympics, Jones got a much-deserved call-up to the USMNT. He was 22 at the time and he made his debut against Canada. The first of many appearances for his country n the entirety of his career.

His 3rd game for the USMNT against Ivory Coast at the Intercontinental Championship in Saudi Arabia will always be a memorable one. Jones scored the first of many goals for the USA in a 5-2 victory and proceeded to assist 2 more in the game.

6. The 1994 World Cup Gave Him Much-Needed Exposure

The 1994 World Cup Ceremony by Pyro Spectaculars by Souza – Wikimedia Commons

By 1993, Jones had the most caps for the USMNT with 30. A major fete if you consider he had been cut from the Olympic team just 3 years prior and had only made his USMNT debut a year prior.

In just a year Jones established himself as a reliable regular for the USMNT. When the 1994 World Cup (hosted in the USA) arrived, it was a no-brainer that Jones would feature.

The United States squad proceeded to the second round, but in its opening matchup against eventual champion Brazil, it lost 1-0 and was eliminated. Jones participated in all four of the American team’s contests and was given the start in the second-round matchup with Brazil. It was his performances at the 1994 tournament that got Jones’s interest from Europe.

7. His First and Only Team in Europe Was Coventry City

After the 1994 World Cup, Cobi signed for Coventry City who at the time played in the English Premier League. He made his debut in the 1994/95 season against Leeds on September 16. Jones assisted on one goal and contributed to the other by being fouled in the penalty area, which resulted in his team winning 2-1.

Two months later, Jones netted his first Premier League goal of the year in a 1-0 victory over Norwich. Jones’ playing opportunities were severely limited for the remainder of the season since the team’s coaches were changed. After a single season, he left England having scored twice.

8. Moved to Brazil After England

Former soccer player Cobi Jones with a fan by Carlos Almendarez – Wikimedia Commons

At the end of his season at Coventry, it was determined that Jones would not be returning to the cub. After leaving England he started training in Germany with German club 1. FC Köln of the Bundesliga.

At the time it might have looked like his next chapter was in Germany but this was not to be. In 1995, Brazilian club Vasco da Gama signed Jones. He only played there for a few months making 4 appearances and scoring 1 goal.

9. He Played the Majority of His Career For the LA Galaxy

After a short stint in Brazil, Jones returned to his home country. He joined the MLS in its inaugural season signing with the Los Angeles Galaxy franchise.

In 1998, Jones had his best season with the Galaxy, finishing second in the MLS with 51 points (19 goals and 13 assists). In addition to being named U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year, he was included in the MLS Best XI.

Having joined in 1996, Jones became the only player to have played for their original team in 2005. He retired n 2007, after making 306 appearances scoring 70 goals in his stay.

10. He Was an Interim Coach at Galaxy

Cobi Jones (left) and Ruud Gullit leaving Wellington International Airport following the arrival of the LA Galaxy team to face the Wellington Phoenix by Hamedog – Wikimedia Commons

 After retirement as a player, Cobi Jones was announced as an assistant coach of Galaxy under the great Ruud Gullit. In August 2008, Gullit resigned and Jones was appointed as the interim coach before Bruce Arena was appointed head coach.

Jones stayed with the team through 2011 when he departed the Galaxy to work as the New York Cosmos’ associate director of soccer until 2012.