CUP NO. 4 FOR GALAXY'S CORE CIENFUEGOS, JONES HOPE TIME IS NOW.

Byline: Fred J. Robledo Staff Writer

PASADENA - You never will find Cobi Jones and Mauricio Cienfuegos meeting at the local pub for a drink, or hanging out on the road playing cards.

Cienfuegos is as conservative as they come, and Jones is the Galaxy's version of a rock star.

Cienfuegos is married with three children. He grew up in a working-class neighborhood in El Salvador.

Jones is single, a free spirit from Westlake Village who zig-zagged around campus on a scooter during his college days at UCLA.

They're two of the Galaxy's biggest attractions, yet they rarely engage in conversation - even though they're the only two remaining players from the original Galaxy team of 1996.

As the Galaxy prepares to face New England on Sunday in the MLS Cup championship game, Jones and Cienfuegos remain an integral part of the team's offense.

``They're the root of it all,'' Galaxy goalkeeper Kevin Hartman said. ``Cien doesn't say much, but when he does, it's going to be very intelligent, composed and professional.

``Cobi is going to lead by example, but he's going to communicate more, because he speaks the language.

``But together, they dictate how we're going to play and what type of shape we're going to have. The rest of us just follow.''

Jones and Cienfuegos share another, dubious distinction. Both have suffered three Major League Soccer championship-game defeats.

After the Galaxy beat Colorado 1-0 last week to earn its fourth MLS championship-game appearance in seven years, Cienfuegos approached Jones on the field.

``I told Cobi that this is our year,'' Cienfuegos said. ``I told him that we need to get this championship because it could be our last opportunity together.''

It was a defining moment for two players who have grown to admire each other over the years, despite the language barrier.

``Come Sunday, I think they will wish each other success more than anyone,'' Galaxy coach Sigi Schmid said. ``And they deserve this, because they both have served their club and countries well.''

Cienfuegos said he's tired of wasting opportunities. He believes this team is better than the previous three that lost.

``This team has something,'' Cienfuegos said. ``It plays hard. It plays for each other. And it knows what it wants.''

Win or lose, Galaxy assistant coach Ralph Perez said the contributions of Jones and Cienfuegos should be applauded.

``They've served their club better than anyone in the league,'' Perez said. ``I know that everybody equates championships with how many rings you have. But for me, these are two of the best class acts in our league.''

Jones said his relationship with Cienfuegos is the kind of quiet relationship he finds unique among today's popular athletes.

``Everyone respects Cien on and off the field,'' Jones said. ``He's a true professional and family man.

``You see him after practice doing the extra sit-ups or taking the extra free kicks, and you can't help but admire that. He's not one of those veterans who feels the game owes him anything. He's always paying his dues.''

Cienfuegos feels the same way about Jones. Although Jones built his reputation around his dreadlock hairstyle and is a player who can irritate teammates during practice, his teammates know Jones has improved his skills each year.

``Cobi is a fighter; I respect that,'' Cienfuegos said. ``This team looks up to him, and he's been a good leader and professional for them.''

Perez has noticed how the younger players follow the veterans' example.

``You want to know why we've been good for so long? It's those two guys,'' Perez said. ``They come to practice and play hard every day.

``Imagine what that does for young players. When you have two people who can take on a leadership role and show others how to do it, you've got the foundation.''

GALAXY vs. NEW ENGLAND

Kickoff: Sunday, 10:30 a.m.

TV/Radio: Ch. 7; 1110-AM, 1020-AM (Spanish)

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Photo:

Mauricio Cienfuegos, right, shown celebrating with Carlos Ruiz, and Cobi Jones remain from the 1996 Galaxy, and both have suffered three MLS Cup losses.

Nick Ut/Associated Press