Galaxy’s Jones Signs New Deal
Cobi Jones, the lone remaining original member of the Galaxy, signed a multiyear deal Friday to remain with the Major League Soccer team.
“I’m happy to put the contract negotiations behind me so that I can move forward and focus on the season and help the Galaxy win a championship this year,” Jones said.
Terms of the deal were not revealed, but Jones, thought to be one of MLS’ highest-paid players since the league’s inception in 1996, was expected to take a pay cut from a salary thought to be in the $250,000 range.
Jones, who will turn 34 in June, is an eight-time MLS All-Star and had his best season in 1998 when he scored 19 goals and had 13 assists. The midfielder was captain of the Galaxy’s three championship teams -- 2002 MLS Cup, 2001 U.S. Open Cup and 2000 CONCACAF Champions Cup.
“He has been a cornerstone for our club since its inception,” General Manager Doug Hamilton said, “and we feel it is only appropriate that he continue his career here in Los Angeles for years to come.”
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More Galaxy
The Galaxy announced its schedule for a trip to France in preparation for the 2004 MLS season.
The team will depart Monday for an 11-day, three-game excursion.
The first game is scheduled Wednesday against AS Istres, the standings leader in France’s second division. After four days of training, the Galaxy then will play March 1 against Cannes, Toulon or an AS Monaco reserve team. The trip ends March 3 against first-division OGC Nice.
Thursday night, the Galaxy lost an exhibition match to UCLA, 1-0, at the Home Depot Center.
It was the Bruins’ first game under Coach Jorge Salcedo, who played for Galaxy Coach Sigi Schmid at UCLA and with the Galaxy. Eli Meschures scored the lone goal.
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MLS Moves
D.J. Countess, who started at goalkeeper for the under-23 U.S. men’s team that failed to qualify for the Summer Olympics, was traded by the Dallas Burn to the Chicago Fire for a 2005 conditional draft pick.
Countess joins Henry Ring and Matt Pickens as players who are looking to replace All-Star Zach Thornton, who left the Fire to play for Benfica in Portugal.
Another under-23 U.S. player, forward David Testo, has agreed to a one-year loan with the Columbus Crew after having played last season with the Richmond Kickers of the A-League.
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German Troubles
A war of words involving German goalkeepers Jens Lehmann and Oliver Kahn over who should be the starter has left some wondering whether the feud could threaten the team’s chances at Euro 2004.
Lehmann, 34, who plays for Arsenal in England, told Kicker magazine, “My performances are more consistent. I can’t really say that anyone’s better than me.”
He also criticized Kahn for leaving his wife for a woman Kahn met in a club.
Kahn, 34, reacted angrily, saying that he’d had to sit on the bench for years before becoming No. 1.
“But I never sunk to this low level -- it’s almost unbelievable. There was a certain respect,” Kahn said.
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Quick Passes
FIFA, mired in a financial crisis as recently as May 2001 after the collapse of its former marketing partner ISL, reported it had a surplus of $113.7 million in 2003.... Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane, who was kicked off Ireland’s team days before the 2002 World Cup after a rift with then-coach Mick McCarthy, says he wants to play for his country again. Keane said the decision would be up to new Coach Brian Kerr.... Djibril Cisse has filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport, seeking to reduce a UEFA ban from five matches to two so that he can play for France at Euro 2004.
-- Compiled by Jim Barrero
