MLS defender Reggie Cannon: I'm focused on getting back to USMNT

Yahoo

3 days ago

Yahoo Sports contributors Christian Polanco and Alexis Guerreros are joined by Colorado Rapids defender Reggie Cannon who talks about his goal to get back to the United States Men's National Team and highlights how strong of a league MLS has become. Hear the full conversation on the 'The Cooligans' podcast - and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen.
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Video Transcript
Do you think the drama around the stuff outside of football affected either your place with the national team or your mentality or your connection to the team in some way, like, what's the plan and mission, because obviously I know you want to get called up again.
I think everything in your life always has a role to play, and I definitely think it definitely did.
But, you know, at the end of the day, I'm just gonna focus on playing my best football to get back there.
I'm just focused on enjoying my football right now and playing my best for the Colorado Rapids and, you know, winning more games, getting them MLS Cup, like those are my goals, you know, personally, and that's ultimately what I need to focus on right now, and I know if those things happen then you know, the other side will happen too.
You know, the other side will happen too, so, you know, I reminisce about my days with the national team and, you know, I'm so grateful that they happened.
I think they helped me grow as a person, as a player, and, you know, hopefully I'll be back one day.
But, you know, right now I know that if I play my best football, you know, I'll be back there just like the old days.
So that's what I'm focused on right now.
So that's what I'm focused on right now.
Coming back from Europe, are you seeing the level of talent in MLS risen to a new level, and do you think that there is more undiscovered talent within the ranks at MLS that could even be more of a shout on the national team?
1000 billion percent, if I had to give a percentage.
The MLS has improved significantly since I left, like it's a whole different league now, uh, the talent that they brought in, the young talent that's coming up through the ranks, the mentality of the league, like I think it's so much improved.
And I think even a lot of European players are coming here now and seeing like, you just see the mentality over there is easy, you know, it's a tier league, whatever, they come here and they realize that it's a tough league to play in.
It's very chaotic, it's very, there's a lot of transition, that high line, especially the way we play, like, it's a very intense game.
Messi coming in was huge.
In fact, where were you when you found out Messi was coming to MLS?
I was still in Portugal, I think, and I literally when I saw the news, I literally showed my wife, and I was like, you've gotta be kidding me.
Like the thing that I leave mess, I'm like, you've got to be kidding me, but you know, I still haven't had the chance to play against him, so I'm like, oh my gosh, I wish, I hope I get to.
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