Giving back....

Wow, where did the last 15 years go?  Well it seems as if time has flown by and here I am, at the twilight of my career.  I feel so blessed and grateful i've been able to last this long.  However, after so many years in the professional game, you lose touch with what the sport means to the boys and girls out there playing for the love of the game.

I would like to try to start the conversation by saying that after my career, I'll be interested in helping build a successful youth soccer club.  However, after almost two decades away from club soccer, I think I need a little feedback.  I want to know what kind of things parents like or don't like about their own club soccer experiences.  Costs, jerseys, coaches, anything really.  I know there are lots of stories, so feel free to leave them below or just email me at mvlagk@gmail.com.  I will use this blog to try and understand the youth game.

In essence, if i were to build a soccer club from the beginning, what types of things should I try to do?  Like I said, all feedback is welcome.  Thank you for your time, and looking forward to reading your responses and starting the conversation.

Best,

Joe Cannon

Yallop & Rochat....

Well it's been a crazy month here in MLS, especially on the West Coast.  Here in Vancouver, things are getting very interesting as well.  I just want to give a shout out to two men who are incredible professionals.  The first is someone I have to call one of the biggest influences on my career.  In 2001, Frank Yallop saw something in me.  The first time we sat down to discuss my future he told me that I had a lot of qualities great goalkeepers carried with them.  He then told me the thing I lacked to my game was consistency.  Over the course of my career, I've tried to take his advice to heart.  Although at times, I have made some mistakes, consistency was always a quality I strived for.

Later that year, Frank took our last place team and we became MLS Champs.  As I look back now, I was so lucky to have someone like Frank come into my life.  All in all, we spent six years together, or 40% of my career at this point.  I can honestly say Frank was the best coach I've ever played for.  His teams all play for him and I am sure that after leading a low budget San Jose team to the Supporter's Shield, he won't be out of a job for long.  I really wish Frank and his family the best for their future and can't wait for the day to see him back on top.

Here in Vancouver, we also lost another top pro.  Alain Rochat was a quality player and a great family man.  He had lots of friends in the locker room and ironically on the day he was traded, he was writing down driving directions to a team bar-b-q he was about to host.  Alain was not happy when he got to DC, and being from Europe, I can understand how a mid-season move without his approval might have felt.  Right or wrong, this is what we all sign up for in MLS.  I can't tell you how many friends I have been hanging out with one day, only to see them pack their things the next.  

As fans, I think we should try to understand that these are guys making thousands and maybe hundreds of thousands of dollars.  In some cases, it's a lot of money, but it's definitely not enough for most of us to retire on after our careers.  Moving across country is a huge deal because you have to deal with a new city, trying to make new friends away from soccer, trying to find a new place to shop, eat, hang out with your kids, get your hair cut and all the little things we do every day when we are "home".  

I want to wish Alain and his family all the best in their move to DC.  It's never easy seeing good people move on, but like I said, it's what we've all signed on for.

I know it's a tad long winded, but i just wanted to give a shout out to a couple of guys who are going through life changing events as I write.  Wish you both the best.

may the posts be with you....

Joe Cannon
mvlagk@gmail.com