Galaxy Feeling Jones’ Influence
While the Galaxy players are beginning to get their legs under them, they are also building some momentum two games before Major League Soccer’s All-Star break.
Coach Sigi Schmid knows why his team has won three of its last four matches, including Wednesday’s U.S. Open Cup game, after losing five of its previous seven.
The return of team captain Cobi Jones from U.S. national team duty at the World Cup and other players healing from earlier injuries have helped the Galaxy develop a sense of continuity as it prepares to play the Kansas City Wizards tonight at the Rose Bowl.
“It’s important that we establish a rhythm and it’s important that you play your best soccer as you approach the end of the season, as you approach the playoffs,” Schmid said. “But more important than anything is having everybody back together. I think Cobi’s been a real positive influence for our team ... not only on the field but his leadership off the field has been very good for the younger guys.”
Jones, 32, the U.S.’s all-time appearance leader with 158 and a veteran of three World Cups, said leading comes naturally.
“Being one of the veteran players on this team and with the experience that I have,” he said, “there’s not going to be that many players my age, especially within MLS or even around the world, that are going to have the type of experience that I have, with all the World Cups and all the tournaments that we’ve played in. So that definitely is something that comes naturally. But also, with that experience comes responsibility.”
In the Galaxy’s 3-1 win at Colorado last week, Jones teamed with another veteran, playmaking midfielder Mauricio Cienfuegos, to jump-start the previously stagnant Galaxy offense.
Jones had three assists, tying for most in his career, against the Rapids. Cienfuegos, making his first start since June 15, had two assists.
“That was [a credit to our] experience and we’ve played with each other so long,” Jones said. “But I think over all the years that was the first time we’ve played in those two offensive midfield positions together. That was a great experience for both of us, and we worked well together. I’d like to see it again in the future some time.”
How about tonight?
“That’s up to the big man,” Jones said as he gestured toward Schmid.
But Schmid said he had not decided on a lineup, a challenge that became greater with Cienfuegos’ solid play and Simon Elliott’s return from the Oceania Nations Cup, where he helped lead his native New Zealand to the title.
Still, fellow midfielder Sasha Victorine is slowed by a strained right hamstring and that may open the door for a midfield of Jones, who took a knock on his left Achilles’ tendon Wednesday, Cienfuegos and Elliott.
“It’s important that we play in the same manner that we played last week,” Schmid said, “that we keep possession of the ball and we look for opportunities down the flanks.”
Said Jones: “I think we’re still at the beginning stages of [building momentum] right now so I can’t quite feel it all. I think we need to win a few more games, though, and roll into the All-Star game with two more victories, and that would be perfect.”
