While at UCSB, Jones was a student-athlete on the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos men's soccer team, studying in the nationally-ranked UCSB Geography Program.[7] Alongside fellow Kiwi freshman defender Tony Lochhead, Jones appeared in 14 games, scoring 3 goals and adding an assist.[8] He was moved in his second year from defense to forward by coach Tim Vom Steeg.[7] As a forward, Jones led the attack for the Gauchos and culminated in an appearance of the 2004 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship final match, losing on penalties. For his UCSB career, Jones appeared in 75 games and scored 36 goals with 15 assists.[8][9][10][11]
Professional playing career
While enrolled at UCSB, Jones appeared for Cape Cod Crusaders of the USL PDL. In 2004 alongside Gaucho teammate Drew McAthy, Jones appeared in 9 games and scored 3 goals.[12]
After leaving Santa Barbara, Jones went on trial with European clubs, including Atlético Madrid and Aalesunds FK, in hopes of securing a professional contract.[13] While with Aalesunds FK, the training staff were impressed with his play and wanted Jones to play in front of manager Ivar Morten Normark, who had been out on holiday.[14][15][16] He appeared in a friendly match for Aalesunds against IL Hødd, but he was forced to leave just minutes from the start after fracturing his leg, ending his trial with the club.[17][18][19]
After rehabbing from his injury, Jones spent time with East Coast Bays AFC.[20] He later signed a short-term contract with Queensland Roar FC of the A-League.[20][21] Jones was unable to find his way on to the opening day roster and never competed in a league game for Queensland.
Neil has represented New Zealand at the U17, U20, U23, and Senior International squads.[23] As a member of the New Zealand U17 "dream team", Jones competed in the 1999 FIFA U-17 World Championship held in New Zealand.[24] He appeared in all three of New Zealand's Group A games, but New Zealand failed to advance.[25][26]
After four seasons at his alma mater, Jones moved on to be an assistant coach at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, under Tim Lenahan.[29] Ahead of the 2012 season, Jones was promoted to associate head coach.[30]
National champion
Postseason invitational champion
Conference regular season champion
Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
Division regular season champion
Division regular season and conference tournament champion
Conference tournament champion
Notes
^FIFA[1] and the Oceania Football Confederation[2] have credited Jones with one international goal while multiple other sources, including Soccer America,[3]ESPN,[4][5] and The Age,[6] have credited him with two; the discrepancy surrounds the goal scored in the 87/88th minute of New Zealand's 10–0 victory over Tahiti on 4 June 2004 which FIFA/OFC awarded to Ryan Nelsen.