Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Soccer Foundation, the major charitable arm of soccer in the United States, today announced that former U.S. Men’s National Team midfielder and National Soccer Hall of Famer, Cobi Jones has signed on to be an Ambassador for the Foundation. Since its founding in 1994, the U.S. Soccer Foundation has provided more than $100 million in funding to create and sustain innovative soccer programs across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. In addition, through its programming the Foundation has collected and redistributed nearly one million pieces of soccer equipment for children in need worldwide and impacts close to 30,000 children a year through its a nationally recognized free afterschool program, Soccer for Success, that uses soccer as a tool to address children’s health issues and juvenile delinquency.
A Southern California native who attended UCLA, Jones grew up playing and loving soccer. Following the 1994 FIFA World Cup, Jones began his professional soccer career in England playing for Coventry City before moving to Brazil to play for the famed Vasco de Gama. In 1996, Jones began his Major League Soccer tenure captaining the Los Angeles Galaxy to two MLS Cup Championships during his 12 seasons as a player. A three-time World Cup player for the U.S. Men’s National Team, Jones is the most capped player in history for the team, appearing for his country in 164 matches. In 2011, Jones was inducted in to the National Soccer Hall of Fame. Today, Jones is in his fourth season as the broadcast analyst for the Los Angeles Galaxy on Time Warner Cable SportsNet. He can also be seen regularly as a game and studio analyst for Fox Sports covering Major League Soccer and international matches. In addition, Jones is the lead commentator for the Pac-12 Network, covering Division 1 college soccer.
“As the newest Ambassador to the Foundation, I could not be more proud to support the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s efforts to use soccer as a vehicle for social change,” said Cobi Jones. “Through my work with the Foundation, I hope to share my love for the game with children and their families across the country.”
As an Ambassador for the U.S. Soccer Foundation, Jones advocates for using soccer as a tool to improve the lives of children in underserved communities and is committed to supporting the Foundation’s efforts to grow the game of soccer in the United States.
“Cobi is a stellar athlete and a passionate humanitarian,” said Ed Foster-Simeon, President and CEO of the U.S. Soccer Foundation. “We are honored to work alongside him to highlight the important role soccer can play in transforming the lives of children growing up in underserved communities, providing them with safe places to play and coach-mentors who deliver fun, effective afterschool programming.”
To kick-off the partnership with the U.S. Soccer Foundation, Jones will be taking the field at the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s 2015 Capital Soccer Classic in Washington, D.C on April 14th. He will play in a match alongside members of Congress and other former U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Team Members. The event will also feature a round-robin tournament between embassies from around the world and the U.S. State Department.
About Cobi Jones
The United States’ all-time leader in caps, Cobi Jones appeared in 164 games for the US National Team between 1992-2004. He is one of the most reliable offensive players the US ever had, not to mention versatile, as Jones could play as a forward and on both sides of the midfield. He was a fixture for the Los Angeles Galaxy from the founding of Major League Soccer in 1996 through its first 12 seasons, and is their all-time leading scorer. His dreadlocks and colorful personality make Jones one of the most recognizable players in the US and one of the primary promoters of the sport in the country. Jones retired as a player at the end of the 2007 MLS season and was an assistant coach for the Galaxy for three seasons (2008-2010) . In 2011, Jones was elected to The National Soccer Hall of Fame. Today, Jones is one of the most respected soccer broadcasters, working with Time Warner Cable SportsNet, Fox, Pac-12 Network, and others. Please follow Cobi on Twitter and Facebook @CobiJones and on Instagram @CobiJones13.
About the U.S. Soccer Foundation
The U.S. Soccer Foundation is a recognized leader in sports-based youth development programs for children in underserved, urban communities. Since its founding in 1994, the organization has provided more than $100 million in funding to create and sustain innovative programs across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Proven to deliver positive health and social outcomes, the Foundation’s affordable initiatives offer safe environments in which both boys and girls thrive. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the U.S. Soccer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. Visit http://www.ussoccerfoundation.org to learn more.
CONTACT:
Krista Washington
U.S. Soccer Foundation
202-872-9277
Kwashington@ussoccerfoundation.org
Elle Arlook
Maroon PR
443-864-4264
Eleanor@MaroonPR.com
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