Cobi Jones will join the former teammates Landon Donovan And David Beckham In Legends Plaza at the Dignity Health Sports Park next season, the team put into service a bronze statue larger than life of the renowned American football temple, which scored the first goal in the history of the franchise in 1996.
“He still hasn't sank,” said Jones. “It is such an honor. It is almost a validation.
“I may be the third, (but) I will probably not be the last. I will savor it. “
A statue of 9 feet of Beckham was placed in Legends Plaza, outside the main entrance to the Sports Park of Health, before the opening of the Galaxy season in 2019. It was joined by a bronze resemblance of Donovan at the end of the 2021 season. The Galaxy declared that the statue of Jones will comply with the first two, sculpted by the artists Omri Amrany and Jessica Lopresti, with the installation based on a photo chosen by Jones.
The unveiling of the Jones statue will also help mark the Return of the World Cup in South California In 2026. Jones, the leader of all time of the national male team in the appearances with 164, played in the four American games of the 1994 World Cup, the only previous tournament held in the United States
Jones played in three World Cups in the general classification, with his 11 appearances in the ranking of the second tournament on the American list of all time.
“This statue is a symbol of Cobi's relentless dedication, unrivaled talents and values that will continue to guide our team for the coming years”, ” And BeckermanPresident and chief executive officer of the AEG, the parent company of the Galaxy, in a press release. “It is a tribute that goes beyond sport. It is a celebration of what greatness looks like, on and off the field. ”
Jones grew up in the village of Westlake and went to the Sigi Schmid-Ca coach at the UCLA, helping the Bruins to their second NCAA title in 1990. After starting his professional career with Coventry City in the English Premier League, Jones returned to his home to join the Galaxy for the inaugural season of MLS and never left, playing 12 seasons for the team and establishing the club record for the appearances while winning seven trophies, of MLS and a cup of concacafat.
“The statue testifies to the inheritance that Cobi has built,” said Galaxy president Tom Braun said. “Its role in the creation of the galaxy as the most emblematic and victorious club in the League has been synonymous with our sport and our team.”
Jones also managed the team on an temporary basis in 2008, was an assistant on Bruce Arena The staff of certain parts of three seasons and was a long -standing analyst for the team's television programs as well as with Fox Sports, NBC and Apple TV, among others. He also owns / investor in Angel City NWSL.
Jones said that being commented in bronze was not something he thought possible during his career, but the unveiling of the statue will be particularly important for his family because his two sons, Cayden and Cai, have never seen him play.
“It's extremely pleasant to get it,” he said. “I played this match at the start because I loved it. For me, with regard to a statue, perhaps the only one to say: “Hey, you deserve a statue” was probably my mother.
“I will certainly look at my wife, my two sons, and see how they react because I want them to appreciate and savor this experience as much as I do.”
