Cross & Crescent

At the Los Angeles Galaxy’s final home game on October 18, 2007, Cobi Jones (California-Los Angeles 1993) was honored by his team, fans, and Major League Soccer for his 12 memorable seasons.

Sons of Ben

Bryan James (Elon 1995) is a soccer fan who is attracting the attention of the Major League Soccer franchise and Philadelphia city officials.

In January 2007, James created the Sons of Ben fan club in an effort to attract a Philadelphia-based MLS team and stadium.

“Philadelphia would complete the league’s Atlantic Seaboard market penetration by having a franchise in each major city,” said James.

“There are pre-existing rivalries that would galvanize the new support and encourage travel between all four cities for away matches,” said James, referring to nearby MLS teams D.C. United, New England Revolution, and New York Red Bulls.

City officials and investors have taken notice of his fan club and the 1,100 people who have signed up for season tickets via James’ website.

On October 22, 2007, Delaware County Council Chair Andy Reilly announced an agreement to construct a stadium along the Chester waterfront.

“The total project costs $155 million dollars, includes $115 million dollar stadium. It’ll take 18 months to build,” said Reilly.

With the city’s plan in place, James can now approach Major League Soccer with a formal proposal to bring a team to Philly by 2010.

“We are so excited,” said James soon after hearing the news. “We want to stand for 90 minutes, chant and create the kind of atmosphere you see in stadiums around the world.”

As the only player in MLS history to play with the same club since the league began in 1996, Jones is the Galaxy’s all-time leader in games played, goals, and assists.

“It’s been an honor and a pleasure to represent my country and the city of Los Angeles over the span of my career,” Jones says. “I will never forget what ‘The Beautiful Game’ has given me, the wonderful friends, and the great fans that have supported me throughout my career.”

Jones also is currently the all-time leader of the U.S. men’s national team in appearances, having played for the team in the 1994, 1998, and 2002 FIFA World Cups. He won with the national team at the 2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup, and he also represented his country at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain.

Leaving a Legacy

“I hope that people remember me, not only for the accomplishments that I’ve had, but also how I’ve conducted myself on and off the field,” he says. “I want to pass the legacy that I have created of supporting the game of soccer, as well as being an advocate of the game, onto younger players who come after me. I wanted to be competitive, but I wanted to have fun as well and I think I’ve accomplished both of those things throughout my 15 years of playing professional soccer.”

Jone’s best year was 1998, when he collected 19 goals and 13 assists en route to MLS Best XI honors and U.S. Soccer Male Athlete of the Year.

He performed in five MLS Cups, winning twice in 2002 and 2005, and for two Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup championship in 2001 and 2005.

He is one of three players in MLS history to have scored 60 or more goals and added 80 or more assists, and he was named an All-Star in each of MLS’ first seven seasons.

Lambda Chis Pay Tribute

As a walk-on at the University of California-Los Angeles, Jones emerged as a talented player in college, making the prestigious UCLA soccer team as a non-scholarship player.

While attending UCLA, Jones became a member of Lambda Chi Alpha.

In a show of support for his career and Fraternity membership, a group of Lambda Chis from the Loyola Marymount University and the University of Southern California attended Jones’ final home game.

Chad Cooper (Ball State 1992), a Galaxy group sales representative, was also in attendance with his fellow brothers enjoying the final tribute to Jones.

“One can’t think of Major League Soccer, or U.S. soccer for that fact, without thinking of one of the greatest players this country has ever produced,” Cooper says of Jones. “I’m so proud to call him a brother. It was remarkable to see his last home game with my brothers from Loyola Marymount and USC.”