Cobi Jones
An 11-year Galaxy midfielder, MLS inaugural season veteran, and U.S. men's national team record holder.
Cobi N'Gai Jones is an American former professional soccer player and commentator who played as a midfielder from 1994 until 2007. He began his career with Coventry City in England, then played for Vasco da Gama in Brazil before joining the Los Angeles Galaxy for Major League Soccer's inaugural season in 1996. He remained with the franchise for an 11-year spell, becoming the last player to stay with his original team since 1996. Jones is the all-time leader in caps for the United States national team and a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame.
- Role
- Midfielder
- Tenure with LA Galaxy
- 1996–2007
- Major Honours (Galaxy)
- MLS Cup (2002, 2005), Supporters' Shield (1998, 2002), U.S. Open Cup (2001, 2005
- Status
- Retired
- National Team Caps
- 164 (as of end of 2004)
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Jones joined the Los Angeles Galaxy when Major League Soccer launched its first season in 1996. He played his best year with the club in 1998, recording 51 points (19 goals and 13 assists), earning a spot on the MLS Best XI, and being named U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year. In 2005, he became the last player in MLS to remain with his original team since 1996. Jones announced his retirement following the 2007 season.
In Their Own Story
Jones started his professional career in England with Coventry City before moving to Brazil's Vasco da Gama. After impressive performances at the 1995 Copa America, he signed with the new LA Galaxy franchise. His best year came in 1998 when he was second in MLS with 51 points. He helped the Galaxy win MLS Cups in 2002 and 2005, as well as U.S. Open Cups in 2001 and 2005. Following his playing career, he served as an assistant coach for two seasons before leaving the Galaxy in January 2011 to join the New York Cosmos.
Reader's Guide
Cobi Jones played as a midfielder from 1994 until 2007. He started with Coventry City, then Vasco da Gama, before joining the LA Galaxy for the 1996 MLS inaugural season. He stayed with the Galaxy for 11 years, leaving in 2007 after announcing his retirement in March of that year. With the national team, he earned 164 caps as of the end of 2004 and played in the 1994, 1998, and 2002 FIFA World Cups. He was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2011.
Did You Know?
- Jones hosted the health show 'Mega-Dose' on MTV during the 1990s.
- His nickname 'Escobillón' ('swab') in Latin America came from an Argentine commentator mixing his name, 'Is Cobi Jones', with the word for his bleached dreadlock hairstyle.
- He was a non-scholarship player on the UCLA soccer team before becoming one of its most successful graduates.
- Jones served as interim head coach for the LA Galaxy between Ruud Gullit's resignation in 2008 and Bruce Arena's hiring.