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Biography current as of January 2024
Cannon began his MLS career in 1999, joining the San Jose Clash after a season with the A-League’s San Diego Flash. Although starting the season as the club’s back-up goalkeeper, Cannon assumed the starting role following an injury to David Kramer and made 24 appearances for the Clash. The following season, Cannon was named Defensive Player of the Year after recording the fourth-best goals-against average in MLS (1.49) in 26 appearances for San Jose. Cannon also set new club single-season records for saves (137), as well as shutouts (7) and starts by a goalkeeper (26), while also earning MLS Player of the Week honors twice.
A two-time MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, Cannon helped lead the Quakes to their first MLS Cup in 2001. The Sun Valley, Idaho native holds the Quakes record for most games played in goal with 171 appearances and is fourth in all-time games played for the club. Cannon also ranks first in saves (693), tied for first in saves in one season (137) and third in minutes played (15,561). During his time as a Quakes player, Cannon was twice selected to the MLS All-Star team (2001, 2002) and was also named Defensive Player of the Year and Humanitarian of the Year in 2000.
During his third season with San Jose, Cannon recorded a club-record goals-against average of 1.09 en route to the club’s first-ever MLS Cup. His performance for the Earthquakes made him finalist for the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Award, as well as earning him his first MLS All-Star selection. Cannon continued his form into the 2002 season, earning his first MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Award and his second MLS All-Star selection.
After four seasons with the Earthquakes, Cannon made a move to France in 2003, spending half a season with Ligue 1’s Racing Club de Lens before returning to MLS and joining the Colorado Rapids. Following his return to the U.S., Cannon picked up where he left off, earning the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Award for a second time in his career and being named a finalist for the MLS Most Valuable Player Award in 2004. He was also selected to the MLS Best XI and the Rapids’ Most Valuable Player and Defender of the Year. Cannon was Colorado's Most Valuable Player for a second straight year in 2005 after registering eight clean sheets in 27 appearances for the club and was also an additional selection for the MLS All-Star Game. He played one final season with the Rapids in 2006, where he was a finalist for the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Award and earned his third MLS All-Star selection.
In 2007, Cannon spent a lone season with David Beckham’s Los Angeles Galaxy, registering five clean sheets in 29 appearances for the Southern California outfit.
The following year, Cannon returned to his hometown and the newly revived San Jose Earthquakes for the 2008 season. He led MLS in saves (124) and had nine shutouts in 30 regular season appearances. Cannon was also one of only six players to appear in every minute of regular season action for his club (2,700). His service to the Bay Area community was awarded with a second U.S. Soccer Foundation Humanitarian of the Year Award. Cannon remained with the Quakes through 2010 when he suffered a broken ankle that ended his season.
Cannon was acquired by Vancouver Whitecaps FC during the 2010 MLS Expansion Draft and spent the remainder of his career with the Canadian club, helping Vancouver make its first playoff appearance during the 2012 season before retiring at the end of the 2013 season.
Internationally, Cannon earned two caps for the United States National Team.
Cannon was the 10th person inducted into the San Jose Earthquakes Hall of Fame in April 2017.
