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Closer Look Jones puts left foot forward in U.S. win over South Africa
Posted: Sunday June 04, 2000 06:18 PM
By Michael Lewis, CNNSI.com
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Cobi Jones didn't necessarily put his best foot forward when he struck for the first two goals of the United State's 4-0 trouncing of South Africa on Saturday.
Jones, who is a natural right-footed kicker, scored twice off blistering shots from his left foot in the opening half in one of the most memorable international performances by an American soccer player.
"He knocked in two great goals with his left foot, which is unusual," U.S. coach Bruce Arena said. "What can you say? It was one of those days."
For Jones, it was one of those rare days that he had found the back of the net for the first time in two months.
Considered one of Major League Soccer's most dangerous players, Jones hadn't scored a goal for his club team, the Los Angeles Galaxy, in 10 games since a 2-2 draw with the New England Revolution on April 1.
Since then, he has endured a personal 980-minute scoreless drought in MLS play.
In contrast, Jones has scored five times in eight international matches this season. Goal No. 4 was a beauty.
Tony Sanneh, normally a midfielder playing right fullback for the first time for the national team, started the scoring sequence by making a rare run up the field down the right wing.
"I was just running forward," Sanneh said. "It was one of the few chances I got forward today. I was just trying to get it to the center midfielder and Cobi made a great run."
The center midfielder was Chris Armas, who was standing on just outside the right side of the penalty area. After he received Sanneh's short pass, Armas noticed Jones had some open space and he shuffled off a short pass to his teammate.
While that was happening, midfielder Earnie Stewart decided to stay out of the play by making space for Jones. Stewart was standing about 15 yards from the goal on the right side of the penalty area. When Armas passed the ball, he decided not to run toward Jones.
"I made room for Cobi," Stewart said. "Cobi ran inside. The main thing iis not to run to him and bring a defender out there and back off a little bit and make sure he has enough room to do whatever, shoot or make the most of it."
Jones did, but not before he got some goading from his marker, South African defender David Kannemeyer. Jones had the ball on his left foot.
"Everyone here knows that I'm a right-footed player," Jones said. "The player marking me was telling me, 'Shoot it. Shoot it.' I think he was a little bit surprised after the fact."
Jones fired home a rare left-footed shot from atop the penalty arc past an outstretched goalkeeper Andre Arendse.
Eight minutes later Jones rocketed in another left-footer from 22 yards off a poor clearance by the South African defense. Jones turned playmaker in the second half, helping to create two more goals. By then, the damage already had been done.
"He certainly made the whole difference," South African coach Trott Moloto said. "By the time we picked him up it was too late."
Michael Lewis covers soccer for the New York Daily News. His third book, Soccer For Dummies, was published this spring.
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