Soccer Legend Cobi Jones On Conquering Adversity Throughout His Storied Career

One of the greatest American soccer players of all time, Cobi Jones' road to becoming a legend in the game wasn't a walk in the park. Whether it was being cut from the Olympic team multiple times or fighting to shed his redshirt status in college, Jones' never say die mentality is what separated him from the pack. For our latest podcast episode, he joins fellow ex-Galaxy player Bryan Jordan to discuss how he was able to overcome the numerous obstacles he faced throughout his journey through soccer.

0:00:47 Cobi Jones' journey to becoming a professional as a kid growing up in Los Angeles

0:07:25 His club soccer experience, and progressing into high school and college

0:10:08 His academic background and the importance he placed upon education

0:11:09 How his love for learning applied to athletics

0:12:02 Why he chose UCLA, and how he walked on to the soccer team

0:14:20 Fighting through adversity his freshman year of college

0:20:27 The dynamic of wanting your team to win vs. wanting to get playing time

0:25:19 Getting cut multiple times from the Olympic team before making it just in time for the '92 summer games in Barcelona

0:30:22 Getting called up to the USMNT following the Olympics

0:31:42 The influence his mom had on his work ethic and desire to fulfill his potential

0:33:15 Dropping out of school to join the national team full time, and his first experience with the team in Saudi Arabia

0:39:14 Getting his first taste of playing time with the USMNT, and earning the love of head coach Bora Milutinovic

0:42:30 The mental side of soccer, and mentally preparing yourself to play

0:45:45 Cobi's pregame rituals to get his mind right

0:51:00 Figuring out pro career options following the 1994 World Cup, and joining Coventry City in England

0:53:08 The coach that allowed him to be as free as possible

0:54:14 His closest friends and teammates over his pro career

0:55:36 The toughest player he went up against

0:56:50 The difficulties of traveling long distances to play

0:59:18 The appreciation and mutual respect between on-pitch rivals

1:01:19 What profession he would've gotten into if it wasn't soccer

1:02:17 His morning demeanor in the locker room

1:03:15 The hardest thing he had to overcome in his career

1:05:24 His relationship with Kobe Bryant, and dealing with his tragic death

1:09:05 What he envisions his legacy will be

1:10:24 His thoughts on the David Beckham statue, and if he deserves one next to it

1:13:53 Final plugs and a farewell

Follow Cobi Jones: Bryan Jordan: us on iTunes: us on SoundCloud: for more interviews and latest news on street football, freestyle, and urban culture: more about Street Football on Urban Pitch: a Futsal League in Los Angeles: us on social:

Instagram:

world soccer live scores