“I am both honored and blessed to have had such a wonderful career with the LA Galaxy and I am thankful for everything the club, the fans and the community has done for me and my family. I am excited to bring my deep knowledge, passion and expertise of soccer in this country to The New York Cosmos. They truly represent where this sport is headed on a national and international level, and I want to make history with them.”—Cobi Jones, New York Cosmos Associate Director of Soccer

With the recent news of Cobi Jones leaving the Los Angeles Galaxy to become the New York Cosmos Associate Director of Soccer, I've been bombarded with emails from Galaxy fans asking me how the Cosmos organization could steal Cobi from them.

For the record, the Cosmos didn't steal Cobi Jones. I doubt that the reason the New York Cosmos hired Cobi Jones was because they didn't appreciate the humor of L.A.'s mascot, Cozmo. If the fans really want to blame a party, then foolishly blame the Los Angeles Galaxy for not doing enough to keep Cobi Jones.

Cobi Jones leaving the Los Angeles Galaxy for the New York Cosmos is as symbolic as a teenager leaving home for college so later she/he can enter the workforce. If you're a parent or an individual who left home because you were ready, then you should be understanding and proud of Cobi's decision to see if he can make it with an organization as historical as the New York Cosmos.  

No matter where Cobi Jones goes, he will always be recognized as a Galaxy player who represented the United States in three World Cups and was a pioneer player who remained with the Los Angeles Galaxy for his entire MLS career.

Before there was Landon and Beckham...there was No. 13.

During his time with the Galaxy, Cobi Jones has given the organization and their fans reasons to smile time after time due to his contribution to the team.

Thanks to him, Los Angeles won five Western Conference championships, two Lamar Hunt U.S. Open titles, two MLS Supporters' Shields, two MLS Cups and one CONCACAF Champions Cup during his playing career.

Following his retirement in 2007, he became the team's assistant coach under Ruud Gullit where he was promoted to interim head coach until Bruce Arena was hired as Gullit's replacement. When it's said and done, No. 13 has always been true to the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Galaxy fans should also be proud of the Los Angeles Galaxy for having Cobi Jones as their player and for also providing him a post-soccer education that many MLS players will never see. The club has always believed in him and as a result has set a standard, which other MLS teams will follow.

If that's not good enough for you, then you can hopefully look forward to the 2013 MLS season when the New York Cosmos should be squaring off against your beloved Los Angeles Galaxy.

Cesar Diaz covers Soccer for Latino Sports. You may follow him on Facebook at Covering Soccer and at Twitter at @CoveringSoccer and @LatinoSports143. Please email your questions and comments to Cesar at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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