Reggie 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 began his senior career with FC Dallas after a season in the UCLA Bruins college program, and went on to play in Portugal and England before returning to MLS. A full United States international since 2018, he has appeared in two CONCACAF Gold Cups and won the 2021 CONCACAF Nations League Finals.
Early Life and Background
Reginald Jacob Cannon was born on June 11, 1998, in Chicago, Illinois. He grew up in the Dallas–Fort Worth area of Texas, where he attended Grapevine Faith Christian School in Grapevine. As a freshman he was part of the team that won the TAPPS Division 2 Texas state championship in boys’ soccer, laying an early foundation in competitive play.
Cannon balanced high school soccer with the FC Dallas youth academy, where he developed under the guidance of coaches including his high school mentor Matt McKinney. With the FC Dallas academy he won back-to-back national championships, a strong marker of his standing in one of the country’s top development systems before moving on to college soccer.
Path to Professional Soccer
Following his academy success, Cannon joined the University of California, Los Angeles, where he played one season of college soccer for the UCLA Bruins in 2016. He made 20 appearances for the Bruins and was the only freshman, along with two teammates, to appear in and start every match. His 1,753 minutes ranked third on the team that year.
After that single college season, Cannon signed a homegrown player contract with FC Dallas on December 22, 2016. He was the 18th homegrown player in the club’s history, marking a smooth transition from the FC Dallas academy directly into the professional ranks.
Reggie Cannon Career
Early Career (2017–2018)
Cannon made his professional debut on June 14, 2017, starting in a 2–1 win over Tulsa Roughnecks in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. His Major League Soccer debut came later that year on September 2 in a 2–2 home tie with the New York Red Bulls, where he entered as an added-time substitute for Michael Barrios.
In 2018, Cannon cemented his place as a regular starter for FC Dallas. He made his first MLS start on March 4 in a 1–1 home draw against Real Salt Lake, totaled 34 appearances across the season, and scored his first MLS goal on May 19 to open a 2–2 tie with Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Toyota Stadium.
FC Dallas Breakthrough (2019–2020)
During the 2019 season, Cannon played 29 matches for FC Dallas and reached a career-high two goals for the campaign, reinforcing his value as an attacking right-back. His consistent performances drew transfer interest from clubs abroad.
In March 2020, amid transfer speculation, Cannon signed a new four-year contract with FC Dallas that included a team option. He started the first two matches of the season before Major League Soccer paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. FC Dallas later withdrew from the MLS is Back Tournament after a coronavirus outbreak within the squad.
Boavista Era (2020–2023)
On September 9, 2020, FC Dallas confirmed an agreement with Portuguese side Boavista F.C. for the transfer of Cannon in a deal worth up to $3.5 million, plus a 25–50% sell-on fee. He debuted for Boavista in the team’s 2020–21 Primeira Liga opener against C.D. Nacional, which finished 3–3.
Cannon experienced mixed moments in Portugal. On November 5, 2021, he was sent off for the first time as a professional in a 5–2 home loss to F.C. Famalicão. In the 2022–23 season he received two further red cards, in a 4–1 home defeat to FC Porto and in a 1–0 win over Gil Vicente at the Estádio do Bessa. In June 2023 he unilaterally terminated his contract, alleging unpaid wages, with Boavista chairman Vítor Murta denying the claims and indicating legal action would follow.
Queens Park Rangers Era (2023–2024)
On September 26, 2023, Cannon signed with English Championship club Queens Park Rangers on a free transfer, agreeing to a four-year deal. The move gave him a fresh start in English football after the dispute with Boavista.
He departed QPR by mutual consent on August 30, 2024, ending his time at Loftus Road after one season in West London.
Colorado Rapids Era (2024–Present)
On September 11, 2024, Cannon was announced at Colorado Rapids on a three-and-a-half-year contract, with the option for a further year. The signing returned the American defender to Major League Soccer and reunited him with the league in which he first made his name.
His arrival in Denver added experienced right-back depth to the Colorado Rapids roster as the club looked to build momentum in the Western Conference.
Playing Style and Strengths
Cannon is best known as a defensively reliable right-back who likes to push forward and join attacks. He combines strong tackling with the stamina to overlap and deliver crosses from wide areas, traits that showed up clearly in his two-goal season for FC Dallas in 2019. His ability to play in multiple competitions, including the Primeira Liga and the English Championship, has added tactical polish to his game.
Notable Events and Milestones
His senior international debut came on October 16, 2018, in a 1–1 friendly with Peru, and he later featured in four matches at the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup, including the 1–0 final loss to Mexico. He also appeared at the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup and started the 1–0 final win over Mexico on August 1 of that year.
Reggie Cannon Career Wins
At club level, Reggie Cannon has lifted the 2021 CONCACAF Nations League Finals with the United States and celebrated youth titles with the FC Dallas academy, including back-to-back national championships before his move to UCLA. At international level he won the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup, starting the final against Mexico.
International Highlights
On June 6, 2021, Cannon came on as a substitute for DeAndre Yedlin in extra time as the United States defeated Mexico 3–2 to win the CONCACAF Nations League. Three days later he scored his first senior international goal in a 4–0 friendly win over Costa Rica at Rio Tinto Stadium. He went on to make four appearances at the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup, starting only the final victory against Mexico.
Reggie Cannon Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Cannon is the grandson of atmospheric scientist Dr. Warren Washington, a noted researcher in his field. His step-sister, Bianca Smith, is a professional baseball coach, giving the family a notable presence across American sports.
Personal Life
Cannon married his wife, Kendall, in April 2020. The couple has spoken publicly about the challenges they have faced, including a period in which Cannon said his safety had been compromised in the United States after he and his FC Dallas teammates knelt during the national anthem in 2020 in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. He later returned to MLS with the Colorado Rapids in 2024.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into 2025, Reggie Cannon is in the early phase of his three-and-a-half-year contract with the Colorado Rapids, signed in September 2024. The deal includes an option for a further year, signaling the club’s long-term commitment to the right-back position.
The 2025 campaign offers Cannon a chance to establish himself as a regular starter in the Western Conference after a turbulent stretch that included stints in Portugal and England. With the experience of Primeira Liga and the English Championship behind him, he brings a more measured approach to his defending and attacking overlaps.
Cannon is also expected to remain part of the broader United States player pool as the national team builds toward upcoming competitive windows. His prior tournament experience, including the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup and Nations League triumphs, keeps him firmly in the conversation at right-back, even with strong competition from DeAndre Yedlin, Sergiño Dest, and Shaq Moore.