Colorado Rapids defender Reggie Cannon was named to Major League Soccer's Team of the Matchday Starting XI on Monday for his one-goal, shutout performance against Sporting Kansas City on the weekend.
Steadfast Cannon played a full 90 minutes on Saturday night at DICK'S Sporting Goods Park, finishing the Rapids' first goal in a 2-0 victory off a set-piece header in the 65th minute. Colorado newcomer Youssef Maziz delivered the assist to Cannon in the midfielder's debut at altitude, swinging in a neatly-placed corner kick to the edge of the six-yard box. Cannon's crashing run into the area and header home marked his first goal of the season.
"It's a really good feeling," said the defender of scoring his first of 2026 after the match. "Personally, just getting that stress relief off. It really feels good. But ultimately to help the team in that moment, when things just weren't clicking tonight in front of goal, especially those first 70 minutes. It makes me feel really good.
"Overall, our performance has been very good defensively. We've had consecutive shutouts now, and I think everyone's performing at a high level. But obviously, that offensive side is something every defender loves to add to their game. Adding that on the set piece is really fortunate for me. I'm very happy.”
The goal marked his 4th in his MLS career and second as a Rapid--the first coming in his Colorado debut against Toronto FC last season to clinch the Rapids' spot in playoffs. This is his second appointment to the weekly league-wide honor.
Head Coach Matt Wells spoke on Cannon's performance after the victory:
"I'd probably split the year in two, to be honest. I think he's been a very, very good version of himself since we came back from the break. He's been excellent in training, and he's carried that through into games and really nailed down the shirt...he makes a lot of selfless runs. He arrives a lot in the final third and hasn't always been found. He's got that ability physically, but also mentally, just to keep going, keeps making his runs.
"I challenged the guys at halftime to be more decisive in the box, and Reggie definitely was. It was a positive night for him.”
Cannon and the Rapids will next take on LAFC on August 19 at DICK'S Sporting Goods Park. Kickoff at altitude is set for 7:30 p.m. MT. Get tickets today!
Team of the Matchday - Matchday 20
F: Simon Becher (STL), Bruno Damiani (PHI), Hany Mukhtar (NSH)
M: Elias Saad (NSH), Djé D'Avilla (CHI), Niklas Dorsch (TOR), Cavan Sullivan (PHI)
D: Andrew Gutman (CHI), Lalas Abubakar (DAL), Reggie Cannon (COL)
GK: Sean Johnson (DC)
Coach: B.J. Callaghan (NSH)
Bench: CJ dos Santos (SD), Dante Polvara (STL), Andy Nájar (NSH), Tristan Muyumba (ATL), Joaquín Pereyra (MIN), Liel Abada (CLT), Guilherme (HOU), Thomas Müller (VAN), Petar Musa (DAL)
