Career
[edit] Early career
Jones grew up in Southern California. After graduating from Westlake High School, Jones emerged as a talented player in college, making the prestigious UCLA soccer team as a non-scholarship player, but ultimately becoming one of its most successful soccer-playing graduates. While attending UCLA, Jones was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha, an international fraternity. [1]
[edit] Overseas
After playing in the 1994 World Cup held in the United States, Jones signed with Coventry City of the English Premier League, where he spent one season. Jones was only selected as a replacement or as a substitute during that season and only scored two goals. Jones trained with FC Köln of the German Bundesliga before joining Brazilian club Vasco da Gama after impressive performances with the U.S. national team in the 1995 Copa America. After only a few months in Brazil, Jones signed with the new Los Angeles Galaxy franchise for Major League Soccer's inaugural season.
[edit] Los Angeles Galaxy
Jones's best year with the Galaxy came in 1998, where he was 2nd in MLS with 51 points (19 goals and 13 assists), was named to the MLS Best XI, and was also 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 on March 19, 2007 that he would retire following the season. Jones played his last game with the Galaxy on October 21, 2007. The club retired his number 13 making it the first number retired in MLS history. Jones finished his Galaxy career with 306 appearances and 70 goals, both club records.
On November 9, 2007 Jones was announced as an assistant coach with the Galaxy under Ruud Gullit. After Gullit's resignation on August 11, 2008, Jones served as the interim head coach until the Galaxy hired Jones' former U.S. National Team head coach Bruce Arena.
[edit] Personal life
On September 12, 2009 Jones wed longtime girlfriend, Kim Reese. Reese, a music consultant and former music executive at New Line Cinema, met Jones in 2003 and began dating him in 2004. The couple were married at the Four Seasons Resort Aviara in Carlsbad, California.[2]
[edit] International career
Jones is currently the all-time leader of the United States men's national team in appearances, with 164 caps as of the end of 2004 (scoring 15 goals). He played for the team in the 1994, 1998, and 2002 FIFA World Cups. He was named to the best XI at the 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup and won with the National team at the 2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup. He also represented his country at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona. After playing in the 1995 Copa America he also became a popular player in Latin America, where he is known by the nickname "El escobillón" ("The swab") due to his bleached dreadlock hairstyle and the similar pronunciation of his name, Cobi Jones, and the word "escobillón".
[edit] Honors
[edit] United States
* CONCACAF Gold Cup (1): 2002
[edit] Los Angeles Galaxy
* CONCACAF Champions' Cup Winner (1): 2000
* MLS Cup Winner (2): 2002, 2005
* MLS Supporters' Shield Winner (2): 1998, 2002
* U.S. Open Cup Winner (2): 2001, 2005
* Major League Soccer Western Conference Champions (5): 1996, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2005
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