Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies

Jones elevates reputation of MLS

Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Cobi Jones brings recognition and, after signing a new contract, stability to the young league.

By RODNEY PAGE

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 9, 2001

Major League Soccer has lost millions of dollars since becoming America's only Division I professional league in 1996, but this was a loss the league could not have afforded.

Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Cobi Jones, star of the U.S. national team and an original member of MLS, completed his five-year contract with the league after the 2000 season.

Jones, 30, sought a long-term contract that would have made him one of the league's highest-paid players. As negotiations dragged on, Jones thought about playing elsewhere. He tried out with Ipswich Town of the English First Division.

Though other American players have bolted to foreign leagues -- Brad Friedel, Frankie Hejduk and Joe-Max Moore, to name a few -- losing Jones would have been a public relations nightmare for MLS.

What would it have said about the league if MLS couldn't hang on to one of its most recognizable figures? MLS is supposed to be an opportunity for American players to train and compete at a high level without having to go overseas, and Jones was talking about leaving?

Couldn't happen.

On March 16, MLS and its fans breathed a sigh of relief when Jones signed a new contract. Terms weren't disclosed, but the deal is believed to be for three years for the league maximum of $267,500 per season. Throw in endorsements and money added by MLS sponsors, and the total is close to $1-million per year, making him the highest-paid player in the league.

"At the time, when I was going through the contract negotiations, I wasn't with (the Galaxy)," Jones said. "I was in limbo. It was a difficult time. I needed to get something done, and once I signed with MLS, I put 100 percent of my concentration and time with the Los Angeles Galaxy."

It's easy to see why MLS needed to keep Jones. In more than five years with the Galaxy, he has 50 goals and 41 assists. He needs nine assists to join Miami's Preki and Dallas' Jason Kreis as the only players in the 50/50 club.

Jones is a four-time MLS All-Star. The former UCLA star has a huge smile and a small frame (5 feet 7, 145 pounds) that has made him recognizable to even the most moderate soccer fan.

With the national team, Jones has 138 appearances since 1992, the most by a player. He had six goals and nine assists in 2000 to lead the team. He is one of three players to appear in every World Cup match in 1994 and '98.

"Cobi has put in more than five years of service to the league and is a great example of someone who has made a career for himself in the U.S.," MLS deputy commissioner Ivan Gazidis said. "He is a big part of our league history and future."

Jones played for Vasco da Gama in Brazil before joining MLS. He has been with the Galaxy his entire MLS career. His best MLS season was 1998, when he had 19 goals and 13 assists. Jones was also a big factor in the Galaxy's MLS Cup appearances in 1996 and '99.

The speedy midfielder hasn't lost a step. He scored two goals in a 3-2 win over Colorado on April 28 and was named the league's player of the week for the eighth time.

"As far as soccer, I've become a more well-rounded player and learned the game more," Jones said. "My ability off the ball and with the ball has improved tremendously. It's natural maturity that you get with anything you do with time, and you get better and better over the years."

Jones and the Galaxy play the Mutiny tonight in a game originally scheduled for Aug. 8. The change is due to the Galaxy's participation in the FIFA Club World Championships from July 30-Aug. 12 in Madrid, Spain.

The tournament determines the best club team in the world. Los Angeles qualified when it won the Football Confederation Champions Cup in January.

There are 12 teams broken into four groups. The Galaxy will play Accra Hearts of Oak from Ghana, famed Real Madrid and Jubilo Iwata of Japan in pool play.

The Galaxy also must focus on the MLS season. After an 0-2 start, it has won three straight and also defeated Mexican First Division champion Chivas in an exhibition match.

"The team has been together since November, training off and on making sure we were ready for the F.C. Champions Cup," Jones said. "Now it's been such a long time, with months and months of training, that it has felt like we've gone through four preseasons. Then the season finally started, and it blew our minds that we were finally there. We weren't quite prepared for our first game. Then the next week we weren't prepared, either. Now we're starting to realize that it's time to shape up and sort things out."

The Mutiny has struggled defensively because of injuries and red-card suspensions. "We have to constantly be aware of where (Jones) is on the field," Mutiny coach Alfonso Mondelo said. "He can hurt us at any time. We have to make sure somebody's tight on him. But they have a very well balanced team. They can score from anywhere. They're probably the most dangerous team in the league."

Want more?

www.lagalaxy.com

www.sportsstarpages.com/cobi_jones

www.sams-army.com

http://members.nbci.com/cobijones

www.us-soccer.com

Tonight: Mutiny vs. Los Angeles