Joe Cannon (soccer)

Joe Cannon (born January 1, 1975 in Los Altos, California) is a soccer goalkeeper, the first netminder in Major League Soccer's history to win two MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Awards. He currently plays for the Colorado Rapids.

Related Topics:
January 1 - 1975 - Los Altos - California - Soccer - Goalkeeper - Major League Soccer - MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Award - Colorado Rapids

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After playing college soccer at Santa Clara University, Cannon was not drafted by an 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 and immediately become their starting goalkeeper. From 1999 to 2002, Cannon manned the Quake nets, leading them to the MLS Cup championship in 2001, and winning his first MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Award in 2002.

Related Topics:
College soccer - Santa Clara University - San Diego Flash - A-League - 1998 - San Jose Earthquakes - 1999 - 2002 - MLS Cup - 2001

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Cannon left the Quakes in 2003, signing a six-month contract with RC Lens of France's Ligue 1. Unfortunately for Joe, he wasn't 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 couldn't get into the nets 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.

Related Topics:
2003 - RC Lens - France - Ligue 1 - Scott Garlick - Tim Hankinson - Dallas Burn

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In 2004, Cannon was the best goalkeeper in MLS, single-handedly keeping Rapids in almost every game, winning his second Goalkeeper of the Year award, being named to his first MLS Best XI and becoming a finalist for the MVP. He has earned two caps with the US national team (as of early 2005), his first coming against New Zealand on June 8, 2003.

Related Topics:
2004 - MLS Best XI - MVP - US national team - New Zealand - June 8 - 2003

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