ASN: Cannon, 19, poised to take FC Dallas beginning function

FC Dallas is aiming to return to the playoffs in 2018 and American teenager Reggie Cannon seems to be poised to be Oscar Pareja’s beginning proper again. ASN’s Isaac Heath spoke to the previous UCLA product about his objectives this season and past. 

BY

Isaac Heath

Posted
February 07, 2018
1:00 AM

SHARE THIS STORY

Over the previous few years FC Dallas has solidified itself as the highest academy program in MLS having developed the likes of Weston Mckennie and Kellyn Acosta . With a document 21 homegrown gamers signed, the membership has proven an unprecedented dedication to growing and signing gamers from their academy. 

On the age of 14 Reggie Cannon joined FC Dallas the place he would develop into considered one of a number of standouts that has now handed by the academy and made the skilled degree. For Cannon, the chance to play towards the primary group as a younger participant is the principle key to the developmental success FC Dallas Academy gamers have had.

“You hear of other clubs that maybe sometimes train with the first team, but when I was in their Academy U-16 year I was pairing up 1 v 1 regularly against Fabian Castillo which is the chance of a lifetime at the Academy,” stated Cannon.

That have on the academy degree paid off for Cannon, and in December of 2016 he turned the 18th homegrown participant signed, because the proficient proper again selected to go away UCLA after a stellar freshman season that noticed him begin in all 20 matches.

Throughout his first 12 months as knowledgeable Cannon progressed properly, and now with the departure of defenders Walker Zimmerman, Hernan Grana, and Atiba Harris, the 19 12 months previous is prone to characteristic for the membership within the upcoming marketing campaign.

Over the course of the offseason MLS obtained criticism for the shortage of alternatives the league offered to younger American gamers. In 2017, Tyler Adams, Djordge Mihailovic, Brooks Lennon, and Danny Acosta had been the one American youngsters to obtain common minutes. Judging by how issues stand initially of preseason, Cannon will likely be incomes common minutes to spice up these numbers.

Regardless of the reward he has obtained, the younger defender is remaining grounded figuring out nothing is a given.

“Everyone has been telling me you’re the right black, but I just try to ignore it because at the end of the day I have to go out there and prove that I can play against the best teams and players in the league. I have to earn the spot now and that’s my mindset going into the preseason,” stated Cannon.

Whereas enthusiastic about this season, Cannon appears to own a wholesome quantity of endurance and knowledge for is age. Previous to his Freshman 12 months at UCLA he had the chance to signal on with FC Dallas U18s however as a substitute determined to take a 12 months to develop on the school degree.

Cannon flourished at UCLA and grew immensely as a participant and clearly got here to camp final 12 months a greater participant.

“I knew that it is hard to make the jump to the pros, and coming from the Academy it is like an ocean. A crazy jump that only a few players are capable of. I think I had to take a stepping stone and I was more prepared for the professional level than I would have been straight from the academy,” defined Cannon.

Though he felt he got here in additional ready, the primary a part of the season final 12 months the appropriate again discovered himself enjoying with the Academy greater than the primary group. Whereas it wasn’t the place Cannon wished to be, he was in a position to be part of the U19 group that Received the Dallas Cup Tremendous Group.

In that event, the FC Dallas U 19’S beat the likes of Maccabi Haifa F.C, Everton, and Monterrery in path to securing the title and it proved to be a giant increase for the younger participant.

“I’m not going to lie. Coming back from UCLA down to the Academy felt like a step down, but it was a great experience to win Dallas Cup Super Group and I think it really gave me confidence.”

It was a confidence that Coach Oscar Pareja observed and led to his debut with the primary group in June final 12 months towards Tulsa within the US Open Cup. A strong efficiency there led to a second alternative within the Open Cup the place the pacey defender was in a position to notch an help in a 3-1 victory towards Colorado.

After these two Open Cup performances Cannon remained within the sport day 18 the remainder of the MLS season, and whereas he would solely see one minute of motion, it was clear he had solidified himself as a dependable possibility with a shiny future on the Membership.

“Oscar told me after the (Colorado) game it was a really good game and told the press that Reggie’s made a serious consideration for being on the roster. Even though I didn’t play it was a huge confidence booster for me and the team. They knew I could do the job and if needed I would be there for them,” stated Cannon.

Although he loved a breakthrough at his membership, Cannon did miss out on making the U-20 World Cup roster for the US Nationwide group. The U-20 tea made it by their group and the spherical of 16 earlier than crashing out towards a tricky Venezuela group in further time within the quarterfinals. Due to the relative success of the group, and the truth that Worldwide event chances are high uncommon, it was a missed alternative for the younger participant.

“I feel like I would have developed a huge amount if I would have played in the U20 World Cup. The coaches pushed for my spot, but unfortunately the U20 coach hadn’t seen me and I don’t think I was maybe ready for it,” Cannon lamented.

Nonetheless, although he would have beloved to make the roster, Cannon doesn’t seem to have been discouraged and stays upbeat and hungry.

“I was frustrated not being on the roster for the U-20 World Cup, but I understand why as well. It was their choice and it made me a better player because of it.”

When requested if lacking out on the group served as motivation, the appropriate again shortly exclaimed, “Yes, it has helped motivate me big time.”

Between a beginning function to say on the membership degree, and an opportunity to seize a roster spot on the 2020 Olympic group, there’s loads of success that motivation can lead Cannon to within the subsequent 12 months and past.