Joe Cannon

Joseph Cannon (born January 1, 1975) is an American former professional soccer player. He spent the majority of his 16 professional seasons playing in Major League Soccer. His 86 MLS career shutouts rank him fourth in league history. He won the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Award twice (2002, 2004), and finished runner-up for the award three times (2000, 2001, 2005).

He also earned two caps in friendlies with the United States men's national soccer team.

Early life and education Cannon was born January 1, 1975, in Sun Valley, Idaho, to Barbara and Joe Cannon. As a child, he was raised in both Sun Valley, Idaho and Los Altos Hills, California. He attended Hemingway Elementary School in Ketchum, Idaho, before moving permanently to California at age 12.

Cannon attended college at the University of California, Santa Barbara for his first year and was a student-athlete on the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos men's soccer team. He played 11 games for the Gauchos in 1993 and recorded 3 shutouts. He later transferred to Santa Clara University where he played for the Broncos from 1995 to 1997. He graduated with a degree in political science.

After a season with the Flash, he was signed by Major League Soccer team San Jose Earthquakes. He remained as the starter until 2002, leading San Jose to victory in MLS Cup 2001 and winning his first MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Award in 2002. After an unsuccessful trial with Feyenoord, he signed a six-month contract with RC Lens of France's Ligue 1. He was behind Charles Itandje in the Lens side and was not able to break into the first team.

I don't care if it's Scott Garlick, Scott Salt or Scott Pepper. I'm very confident in my abilities. I can compete for the job anywhere, and may the best man win. — Joe Cannon, Although Colorado did not advance, Garlick was traded to the Dallas Burn and Cannon kept his starting position. The following season in 2004, Cannon won his second MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Award in addition to being named to the MLS Best XI and as a finalist for the MLS Most Valuable Player Award. He made his Galaxy debut on April 8, 2007, in a 0–0 tie with the Houston Dynamo. He spent one season with the club.

Later career Cannon returned to the Earthquakes via trade with the Galaxy for allocation money in January 2008. He spent three seasons with the club.

Cannon was selected by Vancouver Whitecaps FC in the 2010 MLS Expansion Draft. He re-signed with Vancouver for the 2012 Major League Soccer season. Cannon retired following the 2013 Major League Soccer season.

International career Cannon earned two caps with the United States men's national soccer team. His first cap came against New Zealand in 2003 where he played the first half of a 2–1 win. In 2004 he was called into several U.S. camps without gaining any game time. In 2005 he won his second cap, playing the first half of a friendly against Honduras.

Cannon's grandfather and father are Canadian, which made him eligible for the Canada men's national soccer team.

Post-playing career In March 2014, Cannon was announced as a color commentator for San Jose Earthquakes radio broadcasts on KLIV.

Personal life Cannon has a twin brother, Jon, who was a minor-league baseball pitcher. He has two other brothers, Cody and Colt. His father, Joe Cannon Sr., was a country-western singer.

Career statistics

Awards and honors Club

San Jose Earthquakes MLS Cup: 2001

Individual MLS Goalkeeper of the Year: 2002, 2004 MLS Best XI: 2004