Want to hear from some of the notable names around the league? MLSsoccer.com contributing editor Alicia Rodriguez spends 10 minutes talking to some of the big names in North American soccer.
Cobi Jones is a retired midfielder and one of the most decorated players in American soccer history. The all-time appearances leader for both the US national team and LA Galaxy, Jones won two MLS Cups with the Galaxy during his professional career. Currently the television analyst on Galaxy broadcasts, Jones brought his considerable knowledge of the Western Conference Championship entrants in an interview ahead of LA's series against the Seattle Sounders, which begins on Sunday (5 pm ET, ESPN).
Rodriguez: Obviously, this is Landon Donovan’s last season. Is the sense around the Galaxy to win it for him, or are they doing it for their own sake?
Jones: Let’s not forget, this is an organization that expects only the best, so I think they’re trying to do it for themselves as a group in totality, and one of the benefits of that would be to take Landon out on a high note.
I think that’s something they definitely think about, it’s perfect timing for this, and that might give them that little bit of extra incentive. But when it really comes down to it, the Galaxy really want to win that fifth championship. That puts the whole organization above and beyond any other organization within MLS, and I think that’s one of the goals as well.
Rodriguez: The teams have had two weeks off ahead of the Conference Championship. Does LA or Seattle benefit more from that time off?
Jones: I think the Galaxy definitely benefit, because I think one of the most impactful players has been Robbie Keane, and we’ve seen he wasn’t completely 100 percent over the past few weeks. So having that extra time off — even though he did go to the [Irish] national team, he didn’t put that much time in there — just to get that extra time to strengthen and be better prepared, will help the Galaxy I think more than anything that the Sounders have going right now. We’ve seen the impact of a Galaxy team with and without Robbie Keane, and they’re so much more dangerous when he is ready, capable and at 100 percent.
Rodriguez: You’ve won two MLS Cups. In your experience, is there a different feeling around the locker room throughout the playoffs when the team is on its way to the title?
Jones: No, I think any player will tell you, especially within MLS, once the playoffs start it’s a completely different vibe within the locker room. There’s this sense of intensity and determination that there’s a purpose. You can see the end goal, the end game is in front of you, so everyone has that same mindset.
And it’s almost addictive in that aspect, that you know everyone is focusing on the exact same thing in a short amount of time. It’s attractive — it’s like a rush you get, during the playoffs.
Rodriguez: Now, in the last round the Galaxy blew away Real Salt Lake, while the Sounders seemed to squeak by FC Dallas. Does that make the Galaxy the favorites in this Western Conference series?
Jones: I don’t think the previous matchups mean a thing. I think we’ve seen how quickly rivalries can be made within this league, and I think we’ve seen a rivalry between LA and Seattle be established over the past few years, and I think there’s a lot more meaning to this match. I don’t think you’re going to see any team holding back in this one, I think it’s going to be a very aggressive and physical matchup right off the bat.
[It’s as if] these teams were waiting and preparing for each other this whole season, it feels like.
Rodriguez: What’s your feeling, heading into the first leg, about how this series is going to play? Will it be close, or will we see a lot of goals?
Jones: You never know in these matches, but I definitely can tell you it’s going to be all about whose defense can hold up more. Surprisingly, the Sounders’ defense over the last matchup against the Galaxy showed that they could change everything that’s gone before. And we know that is something within MLS — you just have to make it to the playoffs.
Look, both teams have spectacular offenses and midfields, and it’s going to be about which team can hold up more under the barrage on either side. I think both teams are going to get their chances. It’s just about who can be the most clinical in those critical times within the game.
Basically, the first 15 [minutes] of each half, and the last five of each half I think are going to be the most dangerous parts of the match.
Rodriguez: Finally, suppose the Galaxy make it to MLS Cup, and host once again. Can they make it three titles in four years?
Jones: Well yeah, that’s what we like to think on the LA side, right? (Laughs)
But three titles in four seasons, that would be pretty spectacular. [It] shows you it’s an era of dominance within the Galaxy. I wouldn’t be surprised. The way things are lining up right now, it might be an LA-New England final again [Ed. note - LA beat New England in MLS Cup in 2002 and 2005].
Rodriguez: Yeah, that would be pretty exciting, too.
Jones: Yes, indeed. It would be kind of a rematch, though I’m sure people are hoping for an LA-New York, the league — I don’t know what they’re hoping for, Sounders-New York? Who knows.
But either way, I think the LA team is positioned and prepared properly for this to be a third title within four years, with everything going their way, a team that’s been on the rise the past few months, where you’ve seen the team get better and better, and like you said, there’s time to prepare. And that’s the great thing about this break: I think it really gives teams an opportunity to set, reset, and get everybody healthy, so when you’re going into the Conference final and [MLS Cup] final, everybody’s ready to go.
