Former U.S. men’s national team players keep finding refuge with the Colorado Rapids.
Free-agent defender Reggie Cannon signed with the Rapids on Tuesday, according to league sources, marking a club-record fourth U.S. international to join the team this season after Colorado signed Zack Steffen, Djordje Mihailovic and Sam Vines in January.
Cannon’s contract will run through 2027 with a club option for the 2028 season, a source said.
Cannon most recently played with EFL Championship side Queens Park Rangers in England’s second division but left the club right before its season began. Since he became a free agent before the MLS secondary transfer window ended, the Rapids were able to sign him on a free transfer and comply with transfer window rules. MLS rosters are set to freeze on Friday with playoffs looming, meaning no clubs will be able to sign any new players until after the season.
In 22 caps for the USMNT, Cannon scored a goal and provided two assists. He was part of the 2019 and 2021 Gold Cups in which the U.S. lost in the final and won the tournament, respectively. He hasn’t been called up since 2022.
Domestically, Cannon started 16 games in his only season with QPR. Like his new USMNT teammates in Colorado, he got his start in the MLS before moving to European competition and eventually returning stateside with the Rapids.
Mihailovic has thrived under coach Chris Armas in Colorado. He was selected as an overage player for the Olympics and could very well get another shot at the senior team. Steffen has found his stride as well, coming up with several key saves during Colorado’s run to third place in Leagues Cup.
A solid defender known for his one-on-one duels and marking, Cannon can play almost anywhere on the back line, which in the immediate future will help the Rapids’ issues at center back and left back.
Lalas Abubakar has played well since star Canadian Moïse Bombito was sold to French side OGC Nice for a record fee, but there is a question as to the depth at the position since the first center back off the bench is Michael Edwards, who has only played in three MLS games.
At left back, Vines has been a clear weakness in the Rapids’ shape for the past month or two, and he picked up a repeat hamstring injury in the Leagues Cup third-place match against Philadelphia. He did not play in the Rapids’ return to MLS against FC Dallas, and there is no timeline for his return.
Cannon is already in Colorado, signed his contract and has passed the necessary medical exams, meaning he’s eligible for selection this weekend as the Rapids take on the Portland Timbers at home at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
