Reginald Jacob Cannon Bio
Reginald Jacob Cannon (born June 11, 1998) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a right-back for Major League Soccer club Colorado Rapids. He played one year of college soccer for the UCLA Bruins in 2016 and made his Major League Soccer debut for FC Dallas the following year, totaling 75 appearances for the club. In 2020, he moved to Boavista for a potential fee of $3.5 million. Cannon made his first appearance for the United States national team in 2018, participating in major tournaments such as the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2019 and 2021, winning the latter as well as the 2021 CONCACAF Nations League Finals.
Early Life and Background
Reginald Jacob Cannon was born in Chicago, Illinois, United States. He played high school soccer at Grapevine Faith Christian School in Grapevine, Texas, where he was coached by Matt McKinney. During his freshman year, Grapevine Faith won the TAPPS Division 2 Texas state championship in boys’ soccer. Cannon also played for the FC Dallas academy team, winning back-to-back national championships before joining the University of California, Los Angeles. Cannon played one year of college soccer at UCLA in 2016, making 20 appearances. He was one of three players and the only freshman to appear in and start every match for the Bruins, finishing the year having played 1,753 minutes.
Path to Soccer
After his successful college career, Cannon signed a homegrown player contract with FC Dallas on December 22, 2016, becoming the 18th homegrown player in the club’s history. He made his professional debut on June 14, 2017, in a 2–1 win over Tulsa Roughnecks in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Cannon made his MLS debut for FC Dallas on September 2, 2017, as a substitute in a match against the New York Red Bulls. During the 2018 season, he became a regular starter, making 34 appearances and scoring once. In the 2019 season, he played 29 games and scored two goals, a career high for the defender.
Reginald Jacob Cannon Career
Early Career (2017–2020)
Cannon’s early career was marked by his steady rise through the ranks at FC Dallas. He solidified his position as a key player during the 2018 season, where he made significant contributions to the team’s defense. His performances earned him a new four-year contract in March 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the season.
Breakthrough (2020–2023)
In September 2020, Cannon transferred to Portuguese club Boavista F.C. for a fee of up to $3.5 million. He debuted for Boavista in the 2020–21 Primeira Liga opener against C.D. Nacional. Cannon faced challenges during his time in Portugal, including being sent off multiple times. In June 2023, he unilaterally terminated his contract with Boavista, alleging unpaid wages.
Notable Works and Milestones
Cannon’s signature work includes his contributions to the United States national team, where he participated in the 2019 and 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cups, winning the latter. He also played a crucial role in the 2021 CONCACAF Nations League Finals, helping the team secure victory.
Reginald Jacob Cannon Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Reginald Jacob Cannon has been recognized for his contributions to soccer, particularly during his time with the United States national team.
Reginald Jacob Cannon Awards Won
Cannon has achieved notable success with the United States national team, winning the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup and the 2021 CONCACAF Nations League Finals.
Reginald Jacob Cannon Family
Reginald Jacob Cannon is married to Kendall, with whom he tied the knot in April 2020.
Personal Life
Cannon is the grandson of atmospheric scientist Dr. Warren Washington. He has spoken out against racism and discrimination in soccer, particularly after facing backlash for kneeling during the national anthem in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. His commitment to social justice has been a significant aspect of his personal life.
