TOP 10 STORIES OF THE YEAR : Westlake Pair Took Act to World Cup

Longtime friends and Westlake High soccer teammates Eric Wynalda and Cobi Jones experienced the highlight of their careers last summer when they competed for the United States soccer team at the World Cup.

The Ventura County natives were watched by millions of fans worldwide.

Wynalda became a hero when he hooked a 28-yard kick into the net to give the United States a 1-1 tie against Switzerland at the Pontiac Silverdome in Michigan.

The United States had a good run, upsetting Colombia, 1-0, before losing to Brazil, 1-0, in the round of 16 at Stanford.

Watching Jones and Wynalda in the World Cup brought back memories of their successful high school careers.

In 1986-87, Wynalda and Jones led Westlake to the semifinals of the Southern Section Division 4-A playoffs and a 22-2-2 record.

Wynalda was a senior striker who went on to star at San Diego State. Currently he is a top player in the prestigious German Bundesliga.

Jones was a junior midfielder who played at UCLA the following year. Jones’ successful World Cup play earned him a spot with Coventry City in the English Premier League.