Former American professional soccer player, television commentator, and Los Angeles native Cobi Jones has always represented California at its best: dynamic, diverse, and relentlessly driven. A founding star of Major League Soccer and a defining figure for the LA Galaxy, Jones helped shape the modern game in the United States while becoming one of the most recognizable faces in American soccer.
On the international stage, his three FIFA World Cup appearances with the U.S. Men’s National Team cemented his legacy as both a fierce competitor and a global spokesperson for the sport.
To this day, Jones remains the U.S. Men’s National Team’s all-time leader in appearances, earning 164 caps between 1992 and 2004. Before turning pro, Jones was already known for his winning stint at UCLA, helping the Bruins secure the 1990 NCAA Championship.
Today, he continues to have a positive impact on the sport from beyond the pitch. As an Official Community Ambassador for the 2026 FIFA World Cup games, Jones remains deeply connected to the communities that fueled his rise, championing the game’s power to unite and inspire. Most recently, his contributions were honored with the unveiling of a statue outside Dignity Health Sports Park, placing him alongside fellow Galaxy greats David Beckham and Landon Donovan.
In his California Questionnaire, completed during a guest appearance on the California Now Podcast ahead of the world’s biggest soccer tournament, Jones shares some of his favorite destinations, experiences, and road trips in his home state.
Where do you live? I live near The Grove [in Los Angeles].
Why do you live there? Because when I moved there I was much younger and I liked the nightlife.
Who or what is your greatest California Love? The weather. There’s nothing like it.
Time for a California road trip. Where are you going? I’m going to Mammoth so I can get some spring skiing in.
Where would you go for the ultimate California shopping spree? Melrose West, west of La Cienega.
If you had to decree an official state culinary experience what would it be? You have to have the Mexican food.
What is the best California song? “California Love” by Tupac. It was great then. It’s great now. It’ll be great 30, 40 years from now.
How would your California dream day unfold? First off, me sleeping completely through the night getting a full eight hours would be nice. Not waking up to an alarm. Taking my dog out for a walk and him not tensing up when other dogs come around. After that, drop the kids off at school. My wife and I get a workout in, get a late breakfast up by the beach in Malibu. Come back, pick the kids up and watch them play their basketball ‘cause one of my joys is watching them play sports. Then having dinner at a very nice restaurant with a wonderful glass of wine. Maybe somewhere in there, if there’s a Championship League game on, I’d watch that too.
