Fifteen-year MLS veteran Joe Cannon became the newest member of the Earthquakes Hall of Fame on April 8.
The Hall of Fame recognizes people who have contributed significantly to the success of the Quakes on or off the field. With the induction, Cannon joined fellow Quakes legends Peter Bridgwater (Builder), Ronald Cerritos, Ramiro Corrales, Paul Child, Troy Dayak, John Doyle, Gabbo Gavric, Milan Mandaric (Builder) and Johnny Moore.
Cannon’s contributions to the team on the pitch are unprecedented. He was named MLS Goalkeeper of the Year twice during his career and helped the Quakes win the 2001 MLS Cup. Although he left the Quakes after the 2010 season, he still ranks in the Quakes record books in various categories, including games played in goal with 171 appearances, third in minutes played (15,561) and fourth in all-time games played for the club. Cannon also ranks first in saves (693), wins (66), shutouts (44) and is tied for first in saves in one season (137).
During his time as a Quakes player, Cannon was selected to the MLS All-Star team twice (2001, 2002) and was also named Defensive Player of the Year and Humanitarian of the Year in 2000.
In the present day, he continues to contribute to the organization, currently serving as the color commentator during the radio broadcasts and during the summer, was the head coach for the Quakes’ PDL affiliate Burlingame Dragons FC.
A Week of Celebration
Leading up to induction ceremony, the Quakes hosted a Hall of Fame Week featuring a variety of activities throughout the South Bay.
The festivities started on April 1 with a viewing party for the match against New York City FC, and during the days that followed, the Quakes offered fans various opportunities to win prizes, meet Earthquakes players and give back to the community.
The Quakes hid life-size cutouts of goalkeeper David Bingham, midfielder Fatai Alashe and forward Chris Wondolowski throughout the South Bay for a scavenger hunt. Those who found the cutouts received a VIP package for the April 8 Hall of Fame match.
The Quakes also gave fans the opportunity to win an Uber ride with Nick Lima and Fatai Alashe along with a prize pack for the match.
The Quakes also made a surprise visit to Hellyer Elementary School with a dump truck filled with soccer balls for the kids affected by the devastating floods in San Jose.
These activities, along with a Quakes photo booth at popular locations throughout the South Bay, community service opportunities and appearances by mascot Q, built up momentum for the game and ceremony.
Match Day
The first 5,000 fans that arrived at Avaya Stadium on April 8 received a classic Joe Cannon t-shirt in honor of his night as the Quakes Hall of Fame inductee. On the field, the Quakes faced Western Conference rival Seattle Sounders FC.
The match remained scoreless at halftime, and Cannon, accompanied by his wife Marisa and son Joey, took the field for his ceremony.
“We are honored today to celebrate the great career of one of the great all-time Earthquakes Joe Cannon,” said Earthquakes then President Dave Kaval. “Not only does Joe deserve to be in the Hall of Fame, he is also one of the best people I’ve ever met. He is from this area; he actually went to high school at Saint Francis, played college ball at Santa Clara and made history here at the San Jose Earthquakes.”
The Quakes presented Cannon with a watercolor painting of him as a Quakes goalkeeper by Danny Von der Ahe and a framed Joe Cannon No. 1 jersey.
An emotional Cannon took the microphone and addressed the sold-out crowd at Avaya Stadium, reminiscing about his time as a Quakes fan.
“I was up there 20 years ago looking down on the field at Spartan, dreaming of playing and being a part of this incredible franchise,” Cannon said. “I want to thank everyone here so much, from the Ultras to all the fans out here, for making my life a dream.
“To the kids that are watching right now, in 20 or 30 years you will be down here in front of the most incredible fans.”
In true Quakes fashion, the team finished the game with a 90th minute goal by Chris Wondolowski to earn a 1-1 tie.
