When the Los Angeles Galaxy concluded their 2006 season against FC Dallas at The Home Depot Center last October, Cobi Jones was hit with a barrage of questions regarding his future.
The Galaxy had just ended their campaign, which saw the club fail to reach the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time ever, and Jones had been around for every trip along the way -- the only MLS original in league to have spent each of the league's first 11 seasons with the same team.
At 36 years of age, the mercurial winger seemed to be losing a step -- nagging injuries certainly slowing him down. At that time, Jones himself didn't seem to know what his direction would be -- or, at least, he wasn't letting on.
This year, Jones came into preseason injury-free for the first time in years. On Monday, the MLS original announced his retirement following the completion of the current season, but as he enters this final campaign, how does he feel?
"Pretty good. I've been enjoying it, and just making the most of it," said Jones. "It's the first time in two or three years (I've been injury free) so it's kind of nice."
Jones insists that returning for another season wasn't really a close decision at all. He also insists that the offseason signing of David Beckham had absolutely no influence over his decision either. That's not to say that he isn't excited at the prospect of lining up alongside the former England captain.
"I look at it as we're having another good player come to the team," said Jones. "From that aspect it will be good to have him with the team."
Beckham's arrival will add to an already star-studded lineup in Los Angeles. Along with Jones, the Galaxy already have nine players who have featured with their full national teams as well as a handful of players who have played at the Olympic and youth international levels. It's that kind of star power that has Jones' expectations for the 2007 season very high.
"I think this team has a very good chance of winning the MLS title. I think we have a lot of quality players," he said. "I think we're going to have a much better season than last year."
With all those stars on the squad the next question is where Jones will fit in on the field. Galaxy fans got a taste of it last season, actually, when Santino Quaranta arrived. The duo manned the wings for Los Angeles in 2006, often flip-flopping sides during the run of play. With head coach Frank Yallop going to a 4-3-3 formation this year, Yallop has been using Jones in a similar role so far this preseason.
"I've been one of the wingers the entire (preseason)," said Jones. "That's where I imagine seeing myself."
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
