ASN: Within the midst of a powerful 2019, Cannon eyes rematch vs. Mexico

Reggie Cannon is one among many children on the US nationwide crew in the intervening time and a part of a giant FC Dallas footprint on U.S. Soccer. Now the younger proper again is hungry to see the crew’s potential flip into outcomes on the sphere. ASN’s Brian Sciaretta with the report from the U.S. crew’s trianing camp in New Jersey. 

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
September 03, 2019
7:00 PM

SHARE THIS STORY

WHIPPANY, N.J – As the US nationwide crew prepares to face Mexico in a pleasant on Friday night time at Metlife Stadium in New Jersey, the large matter remains to be the current Gold Cup remaining the place Mexico squeaked out a 1-0 consequence to say the regional title.

A trophy gained’t be handed out on Friday and, for a lot of, the stakes can be a lot decrease. However for the rising younger core of the U.S. nationwide crew, this can be a massive recreation and one other vital alternative to develop as a crew and construct confidence. It’s not misplaced on gamers and followers that when the U.S. nationwide crew was at its excessive level, most of the most storied wins within the historical past of this system have been towards Mexico.

In that respect, most of the younger gamers on the U.S. crew are nicely conscious of the significance of those video games and {that a} matchup towards Mexico isn’t a pleasant.

Reggie Cannon, 21, is new to the U.S. crew however performed nicely on the Gold Cup this summer time and stood out within the loss to Mexico. It probably improved his standing inside the participant pool and the precise again depth chart however the loss nonetheless stings to this present day.

“Right after that Gold Cup final, it kind of struck me on the plane back that you may never get that chance again,” Cannon mentioned after coaching on Tuesday. “It’s playing that game, to play against a team like that, in a setting like that, in an environment like that, and that’s why these feelings are still kind of harbored inside of everyone. We learned from that game…It’s going to be an emotional tie back to that game, and unfortunately that taste. We lost it and it happened but this time around it’s going to be different…The game played out in their favor. They had chances. They put them away and it’s that simple. I believe we have just as much talent as they do. It’s just going to come down to who plays better. And it’s going to be us this time.”

“It means just as much if there was a trophy involved or if there wasn’t,” he added. “We’re working on changing the way America views soccer and every step, every game is an opportunity to do that. So this game, we’re going to play just as we would if it was the Gold Cup final. It’s going to be the same and now we’re going to give it everything we have.”

Within the first yr of Gregg Berhalter’s tenure as head coach, Cannon had a troublesome time breaking via into the crew. Initially, he most popular Nick Lima at proper again. Then Tyler Adams and DeAndre Yedlin got probabilities. Cannon’s alternative got here when he was requested to interchange and injured Adams on the Gold Cup roster (with Yedlin additionally injured).

However the result’s that Cannon is now squarely within the mixture of a prime 23 participant U.S. roster versus a distant backup or somebody who wanted the U-23 crew subsequent yr to construct his case.

“I think the difference is the set of confidence Gregg has really instilled in me,” Cannon mentioned. “The confidence that I needed to kind of make that Gold Cup run – being able to play. From being the last guy call called into camp to playing the Gold Cup final against Mexico – the biggest game in my life. I think that’s super important coming into these games. Gregg is continually giving me confidence, my teammates – veterans on the field like John Brooks, even very young guys like Weston McKennie – people like that, they give me the confidence to kind of step up and be able to play these games even at such a young age.”

One of many massive themes throughout this window is the footprint that FC Dallas has had on U.S. Soccer and its numerous nationwide groups. This week, the U.S. U-17, U-20, U-23, and full nationwide crew are in motion. Between the 4 groups, 15 gamers have both come although the FC Dallas academy or youth groups or have begun their skilled careers inside the group.

Cannon is only one participant that has come via the academy however quite a lot of consideration has been given to his present FC Dallas teammate Paxton Pomykal who has had a giant yr to the purpose the place he shined on the U-20 World Cup in Could/June and was named an MLS All-Star over the summer time.

As a current newcomer himself, Cannon made his first U.S. nationwide crew look beneath Dave Sarachan final yr earlier than preventing to make inroads beneath Berhalter. He didn’t enter the crew with as a lot hype as what surrounds Pomykal. However as somebody who is aware of Pomykal maybe higher than anybody on the U.S. crew, Cannon is happy for what the long run holds. He additionally factors out that the FC Dallas bonds are tight and that he needs to do what he can to assist Pomykal obtain his potential.

“The impact FC Dallas has had overall – at least [five] people in camp has at least touched the FC Dallas Academy…I think that’s super important that FC Dallas have an imprint on players like this. I’ve been trying to get Paxton ingrained to the national team system and everything. I offered to room with him and Josh Sargent’s pissed off at me because of that [laughs]. I really wanted to integrate him and give him the most success he could have possible with the national team because I really do believe that he’s the future. People like that with the amount of talent that he has, I think it’s really important to get them settled quick and get the confidence that they need.”

However the inflow of expertise on the U.S. crew isn’t restricted to FC Dallas however is moderately extensive ranging. Cannon jokes that he actually doesn’t really feel younger on this crew anymore however moderately matches proper into Berhalter’s course of the crew – which is barely getting began.

“I feel like I’m having gray hairs on the back of my head at 21 years old. I don’t know why but I’m always excited for this youth,” Cannon mentioned with amusement. “The average age, it’s pretty young for this camp and I think Gregg’s really trying to get people situated and get into the concept of national team. People have different paths, different timelines, but the youth is coming in and the youth wave for the U.S. is coming. We’ve got a lot of talent – a deep, deep pool of talent is coming through. I’m really excited to see Sergino Dest play, see Paxton play. I’m super excited for those guys because I know when they get their opportunity, they’re going to do great.”