In preparations for the upcoming game between the United States and Mexico and to honour African American Soccer Players in African American History Month in February 2008, I have decided to write about the life, time, and career of two people who have earned a place in the history of US Soccer [Football]. Their names are Cobi Jones, and Oguchi Onyewu.

  

I.                    COBI JONES

 

Cobi Jones is a retired midfielder who works as an Assistant Coach of the Los Angeles Galaxy in the MLS. Cobi Jones was born in Detroit Michigan in the USA on the 16^th of June in 1970. He started his soccer [football] career at UCLA in 1988 and continued until 1991. In 1992, he started his professional career by playing in the following teams Coventry City, Vasco Da Gama, and finally the Los Angeles Galaxy until his retirement at the end of 2007. During his 15 year professional career, Cobi Jones scored 79 goals in 333 appearances and was the recipient of the Most Valued Player Award in 1998. Cobi Jones was also the recipient of the Golden Boot Award for 1998, 1999, and 2000.

 

Cobi Jones played for the United States National Soccer [Football] Team from 1992 to 2004. One of his biggest accomplishments for the United States National Soccer [Football] Team was as the All Time Leader in the Men’s Team with the most appearances. He also scored 15 goals in 164 appearances. Cobi Jones participated in the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona Spain, the 1994, 1998, and 2002 FIFA World Cup. He also participated in the 2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup with the US Team victorious in this tournament.

 

After his retirement from professional soccer [football], Cobi Jones was chosen as Assistant Coach for the Los Angeles Galaxy.

I.                    OGUCHI ONYEWU

 

Oguchi Onyewu was born in Washington DC to Nigerian Parents in 1982 and is a defender for the Standard Liege and the US Soccer [Football] Team. He started his Soccer [Football] Career with the Clemson Tigers before becoming a professional in the year 2002. After the year 2002, he played with Metz, La Louviere, Standard Liege, and Newcastle United with 11 goals in 131 appearances.

 

Oguchi Onyewu has also been a defender for the United States National Soccer [Football] Team since 2004 making his first appearance in the USA VS Panama Game. Oguchi Onyewu has played in the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup where he scored an extraordinary first goal against Honduras. His efforts lead him in being named twice to the Belgian League Best XI and once as Foreign Player of the Year in 2005. Oguchi Onyewu participated in the 2006 FIFA World Cup and was doing well in the game against Ghana until a referee unfairly expelled him. Regardless, Oguchi Onyewu was the first defender since Alexis Lalas to be voted as US Soccer Athlete of the Year in 2006.

 

In closing, I would also like to wish Oguchi Onyewu the best in his career in soccer. I would also like to wish the Los Angeles Galaxy and their Assistant Coach Cobi Jones the best in the 2008 MLS Season.