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Joe Cannon (soccer)
Encyclopedia
Joe Cannon is an American
soccer player who currently plays for Vancouver Whitecaps FC in Major League Soccer
.
at UC Santa Barbara, Cannon was not drafted by a MLS team, and instead signed with the now-defunct San Diego Flash
of the A-League
in 1998. After a season with the Flash, he was signed by MLS's San Jose Earthquakes
as the backup goalkeeper. After a shoulder injury sidelined starting goalkeeper David Kramer
eight games into the 1999 season, Cannon manned the Quakes nets as the starter until 2002, leading the team to the MLS Cup
championship in 2001 and winning his first MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Award in 2002.
Cannon left the Quakes in 2003, signing a six-month contract with RC Lens of France
's Ligue 1
. He was not able to break into the Lens first team, and left France after the season. The Earthquakes traded his rights to the Colorado Rapids
for three draft picks. Cannon could not get into the squad in Colorado, as incumbent keeper Scott Garlick
was playing well, but Rapids coach Tim Hankinson
controversially made the switch for the playoffs. Although Colorado did not advance, Garlick was traded to the Dallas Burn, and Cannon kept his starting position.
In 2004, Cannon was one of the better goalkeepers in MLS, often keeping Rapids in games thanks to his play, and winning his second Goalkeeper of the Year award, being named to his first MLS Best XI
and becoming a finalist for the MVP
. On December 1, 2006, Cannon was traded to the Los Angeles Galaxy for Herculez Gomez
and Ugo Ihemelu
. He made his Galaxy debut April 8, 2007 in a 0-0 tie with the Houston Dynamo
.
Cannon later returned to the Earthquakes via a trade with the Galaxy for allocation money on January 10, 2008. He had a great year, though San Jose could not make the playoffs. During the season, he stopped 4 out of 6 penalty kicks he faced.
Cannon was selected by Vancouver Whitecaps FC in the 2010 MLS Expansion Draft
.
Cannon has earned two caps with the US national team
(as of early 2005), his first coming against New Zealand
on June 8, 2003.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soccer player who currently plays for Vancouver Whitecaps FC in Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
.
Professional
After playing college soccerCollege soccer
College soccer is a term used to describe association football played by teams who are operated by colleges and universities as opposed to a professional league operated for exclusively financial purposes...
at UC Santa Barbara, Cannon was not drafted by a MLS team, and instead signed with the now-defunct San Diego Flash
San Diego Flash
San Diego Flash is an American soccer team based in San Diego, California, United States. Founded in 1998, the team returned to competitive play in 2011 when it made its debut in the Southwest Flight of the West Division of the National Premier Soccer League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer...
of the A-League
USL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
in 1998. After a season with the Flash, he was signed by MLS's San Jose Earthquakes
San Jose Earthquakes
The San Jose Earthquakes professional soccer team is located in the San Jose, California, United States suburb of Santa Clara, and participates in Major League Soccer , the top level soccer league in the United States and Canada....
as the backup goalkeeper. After a shoulder injury sidelined starting goalkeeper David Kramer
David Kramer (soccer)
David Kramer is a retired American soccer goalkeeper who played professionally in the USISL and Major League Soccer. He is currently the goalkeeper coach for the Colorado Rapids...
eight games into the 1999 season, Cannon manned the Quakes nets as the starter until 2002, leading the team to the MLS Cup
MLS Cup
The MLS Cup is the championship match of Major League Soccer, the highest tier of professional soccer in the United States and Canada. As the final match of the MLS Cup playoffs, the winner is crowned the season champion in the same manner as other North American sports leagues...
championship in 2001 and winning his first MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Award in 2002.
Cannon left the Quakes in 2003, signing a six-month contract with RC Lens of France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
's Ligue 1
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
. He was not able to break into the Lens first team, and left France after the season. The Earthquakes traded his rights to the Colorado Rapids
Colorado Rapids
The Colorado Rapids are an American professional soccer club based in the Denver suburb of Commerce City, Colorado which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league...
for three draft picks. Cannon could not get into the squad in Colorado, as incumbent keeper Scott Garlick
Scott Garlick
Scott Garlick is a retired American soccer goalkeeper who last played for Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer.Garlick went on trial to Waterford United in 1994...
was playing well, but Rapids coach Tim Hankinson
Tim Hankinson
Tim Hankinson is a well-traveled American soccer coach who is currently head coach of NASL side San Antonio Scorpions in San Antonio, Texas.- Player :...
controversially made the switch for the playoffs. Although Colorado did not advance, Garlick was traded to the Dallas Burn, and Cannon kept his starting position.
In 2004, Cannon was one of the better goalkeepers in MLS, often keeping Rapids in games thanks to his play, and winning his second Goalkeeper of the Year award, being named to his first MLS Best XI
MLS Best XI
The MLS Best XI is an acknowledgement of the best eleven players in the league in a given season for Major League Soccer in Canada and the United States.-Winners:*Players in bold text also won the Major League Soccer MVP Award award for that season....
and becoming a finalist for the MVP
Major League Soccer MVP Award
The Major League Soccer MVP is a soccer award for players in Major League Soccer. The award is given to the player deemed the most valuable player in the league each season. From 1996 to 2007 the award was sponsored by Honda. The award is now sponsored by Volkswagen.Preki is the only player to win...
. On December 1, 2006, Cannon was traded to the Los Angeles Galaxy for Herculez Gomez
Herculez Gomez
Herculez Gomez Hurtado is an American soccer player who currently plays for Estudiantes Tecos in the Primera División de México.-Early life:...
and Ugo Ihemelu
Ugo Ihemelu
Ugochukwu "Ugo" Ihemelu is a Nigerian-born American soccer player who currently plays for FC Dallas in Major League Soccer.-College:...
. He made his Galaxy debut April 8, 2007 in a 0-0 tie with the Houston Dynamo
Houston Dynamo
The Houston Dynamo is an American professional soccer club, based in Houston, Texas, that plays in Major League Soccer, the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Founded in 2005 as Houston 1836, the team name was renamed to Houston Dynamo following protests from Hispanic...
.
Cannon later returned to the Earthquakes via a trade with the Galaxy for allocation money on January 10, 2008. He had a great year, though San Jose could not make the playoffs. During the season, he stopped 4 out of 6 penalty kicks he faced.
Cannon was selected by Vancouver Whitecaps FC in the 2010 MLS Expansion Draft
2010 MLS Expansion Draft
The 2010 MLS Expansion Draft took place on November 24, 2010, and was a special draft for the Major League Soccer expansion teams Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Portland Timbers.-Format:...
.
International
Cannon's father is Canadian, which made him eligible to have played for the Canadian national team, should he have chosen to do so. Joe turned down the chance, instead choosing to represent the United States National Team.Cannon has earned two caps with the US national team
United States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
(as of early 2005), his first coming against New Zealand
New Zealand national soccer team
The New Zealand national football team, nicknamed the All Whites, is the national association football team of New Zealand and is governed by New Zealand Football . The team plays in an all-white strip rather than the traditional New Zealand sporting black due to a former FIFA regulation that...
on June 8, 2003.