Two-time Major League Soccer Goalkeeper of the Year Joe Cannon renewed his contract witht he San Jose Earthquakes. Cannon joined the club when it returned to the League, leaving the LA Galaxy.
The following is courtesy of Major League Soccer --
SAN JOSE, CA (Feb 13, 2009) MLS -- The San Jose Earthquakes announced today that the team has signed goalkeeper Joe Cannon to a new multi-year contract. Per league and team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“We have always wanted Joe Cannon back in an Earthquakes uniform,” said General Manager of Soccer Operations John Doyle. “He had an excellent year in 2008 and we expect him to continue to play at a high level in 2009 and beyond.”
Cannon, 34, finished the 2008 season as one of the top goalkeepers in the league. As the only Quake to play every minute of every game, Cannon finished as the league leader in saves with 124 and had nine shutouts on the season. His nine shutouts placed him fourth in MLS in that category. During the 2008 season, he recorded the 1,000th save of his MLS career, while also moving back into first place all-time in club history in shutouts. He now has 35 shutouts as a member of the Quakes. The former Santa Clara University standout finished the year with 11,961 minutes played with 131 starts, both good for fourth all-time in Quakes history.
“I am happy to commit to playing more years in front of my friends and family and the great fans in the Bay Area,” said Cannon. “I am looking forward to the start of the season.”
The 10-year MLS veteran not only led the Quakes on field, but was also recognized once again for his contributions off field, earning his second U.S. Soccer Foundation Humanitarian of the Year Award for the Earthquakes.
For his career, Cannon has been one of the top goalkeepers in MLS history since his first season in 1999. He has played for San Jose, the Colorado Rapids and the Los Angeles Galaxy in his career, twice earning MLS Goalkeeper of the Year honors. A three-time all-star, he now ranks among the league-leaders all-time in a number of goalkeeping statistical categories. He has posted 65 career shutouts for second all-time. He is third all-time in games played in goal (246), games started in goal (245), minutes played in goal (22,155) and saves (1,026). His goals against average of 1.30 ranks seventh all-time, while his 92 wins place him fifth in MLS history.
