Goalkeeper
Joe Cannon
6' 2"
Biography of USMNT soccer player Joe Cannon who won the 2001 MLS Cup and MLS Goalkeeper of the Year in 2002 and 2004.
Caps: 2 | Shutouts: 1
One of the best shot-stoppers in American soccer, Joe Cannon was called up to the USMNT after helping the San Jose Earthquakes win MLS Cup 2001 and winning the 2002 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year award. His play alerted the scouts in Europe and after another fine season in MLS in 2002, he moved to France to play for First Division side RC Lens, but never made a first-team appearance. On his return he joined the Colorado Rapids, winning MLS Goalkeeper of the Year again in 2004, and over the next two seasons helped his team to the Western Conference final.
For 2007 he was surprisingly traded to the LA Galaxy, where he was often the last line of defense in a side racked by inexperience and injury. He pulled off several heroics to help LA to the Superliga final against Pachuca, which they lost on PKs. In January 2008, he moved back to San Jose to re-join the revived franchise. Cannon was selected by Vancouver in the expansion draft following the 2010 MLS season. Cannon retired following the 2013 season; in 2017, San Jose elected him to the club’s Hall of Fame.
“Winning the championship is definitely the most memorable moment of my career. I’ve never felt that much solidarity and unity anywhere in my life. Everything just came together perfectly that year and it was a great feeling, I am glad that our fans got to experience that after all the tough years they endured.” — on winning the 2001 MLS Cup.
Cannon became the coach of the club’s PDL affiliate, the Burlingame Dragons, in April 2017. He now serves as Executive Director at MVLA Soccer Club in Los Altos, California.
Photo by John Todd – ISIPhotos.com
USMNT Experience
2005
Won second senior cap against Honduras, starting 1-0 exhibition win before being replaced at the half by Kevin Hartman.
2004
Called into several camps.
2003
Played the first half of the 2-1 win over New Zealand.
Professional Experience
2013
10 games with the Whitecaps, retiring after the season.
2012
26 games for Vancouver.
2011
Played 20 games for the Vancouver Whitecaps, recording three shutouts.
2010
After starting the season as the regular in goal for San Jose, he injured his ankle in August. Had six shutouts before the injury. Picked by Vancouver in the expansion draft.
2009
Regular starter for San Jose, who failed to make the playoffs.
2008
Joined the San Jose Earthquakes and lead the League in saves with 124.
2007
One of the few quality, consistent performers in a miserable season for LA. His 29 starts at a GAA of 1.59 belie the number of times he bailed out the team's shaky defense as the Galaxy failed to make the playoffs.
2006
Made 28 starts for Rapids with a GAA of 1.55 and seven shutouts. Played for MLS All-Star XI in 1-0 win over Chelsea FC.
2005
Made 30 regular season and playoff starts for Rapids as they reached Western Conference final. GAA was 1.20 in regular season, 2.00 in playoffs.
2004
Made his first regular season start as a member of the Rapids on April 3, and was named MLS Man of the Match after making six saves in the 1-1 draw against Dallas in the season opener. Captured Rapids MVP award, MLS Goalkeeper of the Year for the second time, and MLS Best XI.
2003
Signed six-month deal with RC Lens of the French First Division. Returned to MLS late in the year with the Colorado Rapids. Had rights traded from San Jose.
2002
Won 13 games for the second consecutive season with a 1.10 GAA, leading the Earthquakes to the playoffs and winning the Aquafina MLS Goalkeeper of the Year award.
2001
Led all goalkeepers with 19,142 votes in All-Star balloting and started for West All-Stars, registering six saves and one assist in July 28 All-Star game. Posted a 5W-1L-0D record and a goals-against average of 0.49 in the playoffs, leading the Earthquakes to their first MLS championship.
2000
In 26 appearances, had 1.49 GAA (fourth-best in the league) with a 6-13-7 record. Two-time MLS Player of the Week.
1999
Took over starting job midway through the season and played 90 minutes in each of final 18 games, finishing with 14-10 record and 1.33 goals-against average.
1998
Was Most Valuable Player for San Diego Flash team that won A-League's Pacific Division championship. Compiled 21-7 record and 0.80 goals-against average with 12 shutouts, second most in league.
Youth and College
Was an All-American as a 1997 senior at Santa Clara and was a two-time All-Far West and three-time All-West Coast Conference selection. Played at UC Santa Barbara as a freshman in 1993 and at Santa Clara from 1995-97.
