Jones Leads U.S. Charge Against Chile, 2-1

The Galaxy might not be ready for a new season, but Cobi Jones is obviously in midseason form.

Having set up Chris Armas’ game-tying goal in the U.S. national team’s 1-1 tie with Iran at the Rose Bowl two weeks ago, Jones went one better Saturday night in Chile.

The Galaxy wing scored the game-winner with two minutes to go as the United States defeated the host nation, 2-1, in an international “friendly” at Francisco Sanchez Rumoros Stadium in Coquimbo.

It was Jones’ 121st match and ninth goal for the United States.

Coach Bruce Arena, whose record improved to 8-4-4 with the victory, took a squad of 20 players to South America.

Nineteen of them were from Major League Soccer, the only exception being forward Jovan Kirovski of San Diego. Kirovski has been playing in Germany but is expected to join a Major League Soccer team, possibly the Columbus Crew, before the league season opens March 18.

Arena recalled Galaxy captain Robin Fraser and D.C. United defender Eddie Pope for the South America trip. Both had missed the Iran game because of injury and Fraser stayed on the bench for this game too.

The U.S. back line looked rattled in the first half against Iran and was consistently beaten by Iranian forwards Ali Daei and Khodadad Azizi before regrouping in the second half.

On Saturday night, a three-man back line featuring the Galaxy’s Greg Vanney, Pope and C.J. Brown of the Chicago Fire was more effective.

At the other end of the field, however, Chilean goalkeeper Marcelo Ramirez was much busier than his American counterpart, Tony Meola.

Ramirez made a series of fine saves in the opening 45 minutes, including one when he turned away U.S. striker Eric Wynalda’s header from close range.

Ten minutes into the second half, winger Eddie Lewis of the San Jose Earthquakes finally beat Ramirez when he headed the ball inside the far post off a Wynalda free kick from the left flank.

The goal by the former UCLA Bruin, his second in international play, awoke the Chilean team and it tied the score less than two minutes later when Jaime Rivero beat Meola.

But Jones scored the game-winner to snap a five-game U.S. winless streak on South American soil dating to 1995.

Jones’ goal came on a volley off a cross from Lewis.