CRAIG KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM Cobi Jones has scored 56 goals in nine seasons for the Los Angeles Galaxy, including the team's first goal, in 1996.

Founding ’fielder

Longtime U.S. soccer star
Cobi Jones leads the Galaxy
against D.C. United

COBI Jones scored the first goal for the Los Angeles Galaxy in their Major League Soccer opener in 1996. He hasn't stopped since, and has no plans to stop.

Aloha Soccer Cup Who: D.C. United vs. Los Angeles Galaxy When: Tomorrow, 7:30 p.m. Where: Aloha Stadium Radio/TV: None Admission: General, $20; reserved, $22-$60. Available at Aloha Stadium, UH box office, military ticket outlets and etickethawaii.com. Parking: $5 Pregame schedule: Parking lot open, 2:30 p.m.; stadium gates open, 3 p.m.; HYSA Under-19 Boys All-Star match, 3:30 p.m.; HYSA Under-11 Girls President's Day Cup championship match, 5:10 p.m. Note: Tailgating is prohibited.

Tomorrow night, Jones starts his 10th season with the Galaxy against D.C. United in the Aloha Soccer Cup at Aloha Stadium.

The promoters have billed the match as Cobi Jones vs. Freddy Adu, the 15-year-old who signed with United last year.

"Cobi has been the face of soccer in America for a number of years," said Galaxy director of communications Patrick Donnelly.

Hawaii fans just might be watching the next face of soccer in America in Adu, who is 20 years younger than Jones.

"We will be ready," said Jones about the first MLS exhibition match in Hawaii. "Obviously we will be trying out some new players who have a lot of potential. I'm sure you will see a highly active game."

On his historic first goal, Jones said, "I remember there was a through ball and I sprinted forward. Tony Meola (New York-New Jersey MetroStars goalkeeper) came out and I tapped it by him."

An outside right midfielder, Jones has scored 59 goals and assisted on 71 others in 226 MLS matches for the Galaxy.

He has been a fixture on the United States national team since the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, played in three World Cups and was the youngest men's player in the world to reach 100 international appearances. That happened in a match against Brazil in 1998 when he was 27.

CRAIG KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM Cobi Jones never considered a professional soccer career until playing in England in 1995.

Jones was one of two United States players to play every minute in both the 1994 and 1998 World Cups. He is tied with Earnie Stewart for World Cup appearances (11) and leads the U.S. in all-time international matches (159).

"I have enjoyed it. It's a good lifestyle and a good living. I would rather be out on the field than going 9 to 5," said Jones, who did not consider a professional soccer career until he spent a year in England playing for Coventry in 1995.

"Before that I was always planning on going back to UCLA and finishing my degree. Once I got to England, I knew I could play, even though it wasn't the best fit," Jones said.

Coventry, a city in the West Midlands of England, was a big change from Los Angeles. The style of soccer also was quite different.

"They kicked it up front and battled to see what would happen. It was workmanlike, no enjoyment," said Jones. "I would recommend to young players looking for a team that they make sure it is a good fit before going anywhere."

He also played for Vasco de Gama in Brazil and might have gone back to Europe with a different team if the MLS hadn't opened for business with a team in his hometown.

"It has been a very good relationship with the Galaxy. Playing in your hometown is always great, It's been that way from year one," Jones said.

There have been disappointments, like the results of a couple of championship matches the Galaxy lost. There also are major highlights for Jones, such as participating in his first World Cup, winning the MLS championship in 2002 and beating Mexico in the 2002 World Cup.

A graduate of Westlake High School, where he participated in track (sprints, relays, long jump), Jones was a recruited walk-on at UCLA, where he earned National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-America honors in his final year with the Bruins.

For relaxation, Jones likes to read fantasy or fiction books that deal with swords and sorcery. His favorite authors are Robert Jordan and Michael Stackpole, who read of Jones' interest and sent him more books.

"I talk now and then with Michael, who lives in Arizona, and I'm still trying to get him to come out to a game," said Jones, who says he will know when it is time to retire.

"A good friend of mine, Jurgen Klinsmann, told me never to put a time limit on how long to play. I think I'll take his advice," said Jones. "This is my work and here I am in a hotel on a beach in Hawaii."