Galaxy to honor franchise legend Cobi Jones with | College News

Cobi Jones will be a part of former teammates Landon Donovan and David Beckham in Legends Plaza at Dignity Health Sports Park subsequent season with the crew commissioning a larger-than-life bronze statue of the U.S. Soccer Hall of Famer, who scored the primary objective in franchise historical past in 1996.

“It still hasn’t sunk in,” Jones stated. “It’s such an honor. It’s almost a validation.

“I may be the third one, [but] I probably won’t be the last one. I’m going to relish it.”

A 9-foot statue of Beckham was positioned in Legends Plaza, outdoors the principle entrance of Dignity Health Sports Park, earlier than the Galaxy’s season opener in 2019. It was joined by a bronze likeness of Donovan late within the 2021 season. The Galaxy stated the Jones’ statue will likely be constant with the primary two, sculpted by artists Omri Amrany and Jessica LoPresti, with the pose primarily based on a photograph chosen by Jones.

The unveiling of the Jones’ statue will even help mark the return of the World Cup to Southern California in 2026. Jones, the lads’s national crew’s all-time chief in appearances with 164, performed in all 4 American video games within the 1994 World Cup, the one earlier match held within the U.S.

Jones performed in three World Cups general, with his 11 appearances within the match rating second on the all-time U.S. checklist.

“This statue is a symbol of Cobi’s relentless dedication, unmatched talent and the values that will continue to guide our team for years to come,” Dan Beckerman, president and chief government of AEG, the Galaxy’s mother or father company, stated in a assertion. “It’s a tribute that goes beyond sports. It’s a celebration of what greatness looks like, both on and off the field.”

Jones grew up in Westlake Village and walked on to the Sigi Schmid-coached crew at UCLA, serving to the Bruins to their second NCAA title in 1990. After starting his skilled profession with Coventry City within the English Premier League, Jones returned home to be a part of the Galaxy for the inaugural MLS season and by no means left, taking part in 12 seasons for the crew and setting the membership file for appearances whereas profitable seven trophies, together with two MLS Cups and a CONCACAF Champions Cup.

“The statue is a testament to the legacy Cobi has built,” Galaxy president Tom Braun stated. ”His position in establishing the Galaxy because the league’s most iconic and winningest membership has made his identify synonymous with our sport and our crew.”

Jones additionally managed the crew on an interim foundation in 2008, served as an assistant on Bruce Arena’s workers for elements of three seasons and was a longtime analyst on the crew’s TV broadcasts in addition to with FOX Sports, NBC and Apple TV, amongst others. He can also be an proprietor/investor in Angel City of the NWSL.

Jones stated being memorialized in bronze was not one thing he thought doable during his profession, however the unveiling of the statue will likely be notably important for his household since his two sons, Cayden and Cai, by no means noticed him play.

“It’s extremely nice to get that,” he stated. “I played this game at the beginning because I loved it. For me, as far as a statue, maybe the only one that was saying, ‘Hey, you deserve a statue’ was probably my mom.

“I will definitely be looking at my wife, my two sons, and just seeing how they are reacting because I want them to enjoy and relish this experience as much as I am.”