--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I never thought I'd play soccer past high…" description: "\"I never thought I'd play soccer past high school, so to go from that team to actually being most-capped and three World Cups is pretty special.\" — Cobi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c7a/cobi-jones-16392_cups_i-never-thought-i-d-play-soccer-past-hig_1713141.jpg" --- # I never thought I'd play soccer past high school, so to go… ![“I never thought I'd play soccer past high school, so to go from that team to actually being most-capped and three World Cups is pretty special.” quote by Cobi Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c7a/cobi-jones-16392_cups_i-never-thought-i-d-play-soccer-past-hig_1713141.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c7a/cobi-jones-16392_cups_i-never-thought-i-d-play-soccer-past-hig_1713141.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c7a/cobi-jones-16392_cups_i-never-thought-i-d-play-soccer-past-hig_1713141.jpg) > “I never thought I'd play soccer past high school, so to go from that team to actually being most-capped and three World Cups is pretty special.” [Cobi Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cobi-jones/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker reflects on an unexpected career trajectory from high school soccer to becoming a highly capped World Cup player. **In simple terms:** Unexpected success in soccer. Key Takeaway Embrace perseverance and opportunity. Themes career achievement surprise Mood inspirational reflective Type personal story motivation When to use this quote - youth leagues - national team selection - career planning Key Concepts athletic development goal setting Questions to Reflect On - What unexpected paths have you taken? - How did you stay motivated? A Different Perspective Not everyone has similar opportunities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [High school](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/high-school/) [Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [School](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/school/) [Soccer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soccer/) [Team](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/team/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [The World Cup experience is more than just the game of soccer. It's an event. And it will fly by faster than you think.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cobi-jones/the-world-cup-experience-is-more-than-just-the-game-of-soccer-it-s-an/) [Cobi Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cobi-jones/) > [I used to play soccer when I was little, but everybody played soccer when they were little.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jrue-holiday/i-used-to-play-soccer-when-i-was-little-but-everybody-played-soccer/) [Jrue Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jrue-holiday/) > [My dream was always to play soccer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bastian-schweinsteiger/my-dream-was-always-to-play-soccer/) [Bastian Schweinsteiger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bastian-schweinsteiger/) > [My father was always pushing me to become a basketball player. In Africa, when you're a kid, every kid loves to play soccer, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/serge-ibaka/my-father-was-always-pushing-me-to-become-a-basketball-player-in/) [Serge Ibaka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/serge-ibaka/) > [All I wanted to do was play soccer. I used to tell my mom that I wanted to be like Marta, that I would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-andrade/all-i-wanted-to-do-was-play-soccer-i-used-to-tell-my-mom-that-i/) [Jessica Andrade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-andrade/) > [When I'm with friends, when I have time, I like to play soccer, and I think it's still my passion, still my love. I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lothar-matthaus/when-i-m-with-friends-when-i-have-time-i-like-to-play-soccer-and-i/) [Lothar Matthaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lothar-matthaus/) > [India riding on MS Dhoni wave, Dhoni is a different man in World Cups](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-chappell/india-riding-on-ms-dhoni-wave-dhoni-is-a-different-man-in-world-cups/) [Ian Chappell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-chappell/) > [I have always thought, genuinely thought, that elections are like world cups. They sometimes look easier from the outside and they are very difficult…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-key/i-have-always-thought-genuinely-thought-that-elections-are-like-world/) [John Key](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-key/) > [There are pitfalls in World Cups, there are players who can win penalties and players who get the slightest touch and go down holding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-owen/there-are-pitfalls-in-world-cups-there-are-players-who-can-win/) [Michael Owen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-owen/) > [I am not an expert in this field but I do try to keep up to date with the Bundesliga. And I do follow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-merkel/i-am-not-an-expert-in-this-field-but-i-do-try-to-keep-up-to-date-with/) [Angela Merkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-merkel/) > [Everybody knows my life. I won a lot of tournaments and scored more than 1,000 goals, won three World Cups but I could not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pel/everybody-knows-my-life-i-won-a-lot-of-tournaments-and-scored-more/) [Pele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pel/) > [When I was in high school I asked myself at one point: "Why do I care if my high school's team wins the football…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/when-i-was-in-high-school-i-asked-myself-at-one-point-why-do-i-care/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [I made the school team, and when I won in a match against another school it was the greatest moment of my life even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juha-vaatainen/i-made-the-school-team-and-when-i-won-in-a-match-against-another/) Juha Vaatainen > [Pt warriors are my high school team](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-popovich/pt-warriors-are-my-high-school-team/) Nick Popovich > [I hope I help lead my son's high school team to a state championship by the time I'm 45. I don't think I'm gonna…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-rivers/i-hope-i-help-lead-my-son-s-high-school-team-to-a-state-championship/) [Philip Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-rivers/) ## More by Cobi Jones > [The referee will now keep track of the time on the field and the shootouts have finally been banned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cobi-jones/the-referee-will-now-keep-track-of-the-time-on-the-field-and-the/) [Cobi Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cobi-jones/) > [There's no need to overwhelm yourself with thoughts, because you know that you're just as good or better than some of the players you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cobi-jones/there-s-no-need-to-overwhelm-yourself-with-thoughts-because-you-know/) [Cobi Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cobi-jones/) > [The league, I think, is doing well. It's growing, it's maturing, and it's becoming a better league.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cobi-jones/the-league-i-think-is-doing-well-it-s-growing-it-s-maturing-and-it-s/) [Cobi Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cobi-jones/) > [The World Cup experience is more than just the game of soccer. It's an event. And it will fly by faster than you think.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cobi-jones/the-world-cup-experience-is-more-than-just-the-game-of-soccer-it-s-an/) [Cobi Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cobi-jones/) > [As a player, I was fortunate to work with coaching and medical staffs that underscored the importance of utilizing injury prevention exercises, which contributed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cobi-jones/as-a-player-i-was-fortunate-to-work-with-coaching-and-medical-staffs/) [Cobi Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cobi-jones/) > [The league, I think, is doing well. It's growing, it's maturing, and it's becoming a better league. (on Major League Soccer)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cobi-jones/the-league-i-think-is-doing-well-it-s-growing-it-s-maturing-and-it-s-2/) [Cobi Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cobi-jones/) > [I don't like the same old thing all the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cobi-jones/i-don-t-like-the-same-old-thing-all-the-time/) [Cobi Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cobi-jones/) > [Traveling is not a hindrance for me; it's something I actually enjoy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cobi-jones/traveling-is-not-a-hindrance-for-me-it-s-something-i-actually-enjoy/) [Cobi Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cobi-jones/) > [It's difficult to compare coaches. You really can't compare them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cobi-jones/it-s-difficult-to-compare-coaches-you-really-can-t-compare-them/) [Cobi Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cobi-jones/) > [I am both honored and blessed to have had such a wonderful career with the L.A. Galaxy and I am thankful for everything the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cobi-jones/i-am-both-honored-and-blessed-to-have-had-such-a-wonderful-career/) [Cobi Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cobi-jones/) > [You know what you are getting into, but being out in that heat for two weeks definitely drains your energy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cobi-jones/you-know-what-you-are-getting-into-but-being-out-in-that-heat-for-two/) [Cobi Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cobi-jones/) > [After I suffered a labral tear in my hip while playing soccer, I realized that many sports-related injuries can be prevented and I dedicated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cobi-jones/after-i-suffered-a-labral-tear-in-my-hip-while-playing-soccer-i/) [Cobi Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cobi-jones/) > [You are going to have hostile crowds and the fans are going to find out where you are staying and keep you awake at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cobi-jones/you-are-going-to-have-hostile-crowds-and-the-fans-are-going-to-find/) [Cobi Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cobi-jones/) > [I've seen a lot of highs and a lot of lows with this team, and one thing I've learned is that even though you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cobi-jones/i-ve-seen-a-lot-of-highs-and-a-lot-of-lows-with-this-team-and-one/) [Cobi Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cobi-jones/) > [Looking back now at my first World Cup experience, I didn't know what was going on. I was a newbie and I had no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cobi-jones/looking-back-now-at-my-first-world-cup-experience-i-didn-t-know-what/) [Cobi Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cobi-jones/) [Explore all 40 Cobi Jones quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cobi-jones/) ## More Cups quotes > [If you think of people as making decisions actively, every time we think about the cup of coffee, we say, "How much will I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-ariely/if-you-think-of-people-as-making-decisions-actively-every-time-we/) [Dan Ariely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-ariely/) > [I put hibiscus flower in every cup of tea I have. It's sweet, sexy, and cleansing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-batali/i-put-hibiscus-flower-in-every-cup-of-tea-i-have-it-s-sweet-sexy-and/) [Mario Batali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-batali/) > [Nobody can have your psychedelic experience for you; you just have to screw your courage up and raise the cup to your lips or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-mckenna/nobody-can-have-your-psychedelic-experience-for-you-you-just-have-to/) [Dennis McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-mckenna/) > [Youre always going to have some individual incidents that arent going to show off the Ryder Cup in the true form and spirit that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-kite/youre-always-going-to-have-some-individual-incidents-that-arent-going/) [Tom Kite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-kite/) > [I wasn’t like, boo hoo, Bin Laden’s dead, but I wasn’t jumping. America’s a very nationalistic country, and in episodes like that of his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-scahill/i-wasn-t-like-boo-hoo-bin-laden-s-dead-but-i-wasn-t-jumping-america-s/) [Jeremy Scahill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-scahill/) > [As a sports fan, the Los Angeles Kings winning the Stanley Cup makes me feel very alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/five-for-fighting/as-a-sports-fan-the-los-angeles-kings-winning-the-stanley-cup-makes/) Five for Fighting > [Better the fragrant herb of wit and a little cream of affability than all the pretty cups in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/van-wyck-brooks/better-the-fragrant-herb-of-wit-and-a-little-cream-of-affability-than/) [Van Wyck Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/van-wyck-brooks/) > [The divine drink which builds up resistance and fights fatigue. A cup of this precious drink permits a man to walk for a whole…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hernando-cortes/the-divine-drink-which-builds-up-resistance-and-fights-fatigue-a-cup/) [Hernando Cortes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hernando-cortes/) > [If a sudden jar can cause me to speak an impatient, unloving word, then I know nothing of Calvary love. For a cup brimful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-carmichael/if-a-sudden-jar-can-cause-me-to-speak-an-impatient-unloving-word-then/) [Amy Carmichael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-carmichael/) > [In England you probably have too many cups with the Champions League as it is now. You have the FA Cup and another cup;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gianluca-vialli/in-england-you-probably-have-too-many-cups-with-the-champions-league/) [Gianluca Vialli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gianluca-vialli/) > [If you're at the sink washing the cup, wash the cup. Don't worry about everything else. ... We forget to appreciate the simplest moments…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-roberts/if-you-re-at-the-sink-washing-the-cup-wash-the-cup-don-t-worry-about/) [Julia Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-roberts/) > [How much more of the mosque, of prayer and fasting? Better go drunk and begging round the taverns. Khayyam, drink wine, for soon this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/omar-khayy-m/how-much-more-of-the-mosque-of-prayer-and-fasting-better-go-drunk-and/) [Omar Khayyam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/omar-khayy-m/) > [We put suffocation warnings on all the - on every piece of plastic film manufactured in the United States or for sale with an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gever-tulley/we-put-suffocation-warnings-on-all-the-on-every-piece-of-plastic-film/) [Gever Tulley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gever-tulley/) > [The Son of God goes forth to war,A kingly crown to gain;His blood red banner streams afar:Who follows in His train?Who best can drink…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reginald-heber/the-son-of-god-goes-forth-to-war-a-kingly-crown-to-gain-his-blood-red/) [Reginald Heber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reginald-heber/) > [As for the (Ballon d'Or) criteria, I'm not really sure how it works. Sometimes it's a World Cup year, sometimes it isn't. Let them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-villa/as-for-the-ballon-d-or-criteria-i-m-not-really-sure-how-it-works/) [David Villa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-villa/) Browse all 1,509 Cups quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I never thought I'd play soccer past high school, so to go from that team to actually being most-capped and three World Cups is pretty special.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Cobi Jones" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cobi-jones/i-never-thought-i-d-play-soccer-past-high-school-so-to-go-from-that/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Cups" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cobi-jones/i-never-thought-i-d-play-soccer-past-high-school-so-to-go-from-that/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c7a/cobi-jones-16392_cups_i-never-thought-i-d-play-soccer-past-hig_1713141.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c7a/cobi-jones-16392_cups_i-never-thought-i-d-play-soccer-past-hig_1713141.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c7a/cobi-jones-16392_cups_i-never-thought-i-d-play-soccer-past-hig_1713141.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I never thought I'd play soccer past high school, so to go from that team to actually being most-capped and…” — Cobi Jones", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Cobi Jones", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cobi-jones/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I never thought I'd play soccer...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cobi-jones/i-never-thought-i-d-play-soccer-past-high-school-so-to-go-from-that/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cobi-jones/i-never-thought-i-d-play-soccer-past-high-school-so-to-go-from-that/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```