American · Westlake Village, USA · Born 16 June 1970The most capped American footballer of his era — LA Galaxy legend and one of the pioneers of American professional football.
Cobi N'Gai Jones was born on June 16, 1970, in Detroit, Michigan, and moved with his family to Westlake Village, California, shortly afterward, where he first took up the sport with the American Youth Soccer Organization at age five. He walked on to the UCLA soccer team in 1988 while intending to pursue a career in environmental law, and ended up helping the Bruins win the 1990 NCAA Championship, finishing his college career with 23 goals and 37 assists. Jones began his professional career in England with Coventry City before a spell at Vasco da Gama in Brazil made him the first American to play in that country's top flight. He returned to the United States in 1996 to join the newly formed Major League Soccer, signing with the LA Galaxy and beginning an association with the club that would define the rest of his career. Jones spent 12 seasons with the Galaxy, becoming the club's all-time leader in appearances, goals, and assists, and remains the only player in MLS history to have played each of the league's first 12 seasons with the same club. His distinctive bleached dreadlocks made him one of the most recognisable faces of early MLS, and after a strong showing at the 1995 Copa América, Argentine commentators nicknamed him "Escobillón" for the resemblance between his hairstyle and a scrubbing brush. Jones earned a U.S. men's national team record 164 caps between 1992 and 2004, representing his country at three World Cups (1994, 1998, 2002) and the 1992 Olympics. He was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2011, and the Galaxy retired his No. 13 — the only number the club has ever retired. After retiring as a player, he moved into coaching and broadcasting, becoming a prominent soccer analyst for Fox Sports.
Most appearances in MLS history with 306 games
His 164 caps for the USA was a national record that stood for many years.
Did You Know?How They Played
Pacey winger/midfielder known for his dribbling, crossing ability and work rate
Lasting Impact
Pioneering American soccer player who helped establish MLS and represented USA in three World Cups
Career Honours
- MLS Cup 2x
- 164 USA caps (former record)
- MLS Cup 2002
- MLS Cup 2005
- US Open Cup 2001
| Club | Period | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coventry City | 1994–1995 | 24 | 2 |
| Vasco da Gama | 1995–1996 | 4 | 1 |
| LA Galaxy | 1996–2007 | 306 | 70 |
 USA | — | 164 | 15 |
American Athletes