Cobi Jones Scores in Third-Straight

On This Day in 2000, Midfielder's Header was the Difference in Gold Cup Victory over Peru

While Eric Wynalda fought to extend his national team career in early 2000, his former high school teammate Cobi Jones was experiencing a career renaissance. The dreadlocked midfielder, who had established himself as a key figure for the LA Galaxy and the US Men's National Team throughout the 1990s, showcased the form that had made him the MLS's leading scorer the previous season.

After helping the Americans defeat Chile 2-1 with a late winner on January 29, Jones carried that momentum into the CONCACAF Gold Cup by scoring in the opening match against Haiti, a 3-0 US win. On a humid Miami night at the Orange Bowl, with 36,004 fans in attendance, Jones would continue his remarkable scoring run in a crucial match on February 16 against Peru that would determine Group B positioning.

The first half was sluggish, with neither team generating much attacking flair. Peru's defensive pressure stifled U.S. playmaker Claudio Reyna, while forwards Wynalda and Brian McBride struggled to find service. Jones provided some early sparks down the right flank, but the teams went into halftime scoreless.

The breakthrough finally came in the 59th minute through brilliance between two former UCLA Bruins. Eddie Lewis, who had endured a difficult first half on the left wing, created space by wrong-footing defender Roberto Holsen with a sharp turn. Rather than using his preferred left foot, Lewis delivered a right-footed cross that found Jones unmarked 10 yards from goal. Jones rose above the Peruvian defense and powered his header past goalkeeper Oscar Ibanez.

"[Lewis] made a very good move to turn the defender and put the cross right there for me," Jones explained afterward. "I saw it all the way and was able to see the keeper." 

The goal was Jones' third in three consecutive matches - a feat not accomplished by an American player since Willy Roy in 1972. "We came out a lot stronger in the second half," Jones reflected. "The goal was just a blur to me. Eddie cut the ball back and got it across."

A third former Bruin, goalkeeper Brad Friedel, preserved the 1-0 victory with two spectacular saves in the final 25 minutes. Peru finished with 10 men after Ysrael Zuniga was sent off for a tackle from behind on C.J. Brown.

The win set up a quarterfinal clash with Colombia, who surprisingly fell 2-0 to Honduras earlier that evening. For Jones, the quarterfinal would provide an opportunity to become the first American since 1955 to score in four consecutive international matches. More importantly, it would give the U.S. team a chance to advance deeper in a tournament that was proving to be full of surprises.

In that quarterfinal against Colombia, the US fell 2(2)-2(1) on penalties, and Jones was held without a goal. But that didn't stop him from having arguably the best year of his national team career. He finished 2000 with playing in 17 of the 18 matches and contributed with six goals and eight assists.