After signing a contract extension at the beginning of the season that actually incentivized FC Dallas to sell him to a European club sooner rather than later, Reggie Cannon admits the COVID-19 pandemic may have an impact on his future.
While it was expected that Dallas would transfer Cannon this summer, the fact that MLS and the major European leagues are currently suspended for the foreseeable future to combat the spread of coronavirus may provide a hurdle.
“Yeah, it’s obviously a concern," Cannon told reporters on a conference call Thursday. "Being transparent, I want to be present in my situation and give Dallas my 100 percent for however long I’m here. But the goal was to be transferred in the summer, and obviously teams are in a scramble right now because it’s a tough time for transfers at the moment. Now the most important thing is safety and health."
Cannon, 21, exploded from a promising Homegrown to an integral member of his side's backline since 2018, starting 63 appearances during that time after debuting in 2017. As he impressed for club, Cannon became a regular for the senior US national team with 11 caps.
The right back knows his future is in Europe and is content to wait, enjoying his time at his boyhood club.
"Regardless of if it happens [this summer] or not, I don’t think it’ll hinder my career at all," Cannon said. "It’s God’s timing, I have to trust in him and have faith, which I do. At the end of the day, I know my future is over there [Europe], whenever that may be. I just have to be patient and kill it at FC Dallas. Dallas is my priority and what I care for right now. That future is great and I’m looking for it, but right now I have to give 100 percent to Dallas.”
Meanwhile, Cannon admits the league's suspension isn't the easiest thing to get through, as he'd much rather be continuing on life as normal, but agrees that it's the best course of action.
“It takes a toll on your body and mind," Cannon said. "My fiancé could see how hard it is on me, just knowing this is such a big time. Just trying to play the best I’ve ever played, make this my year. It’s tough, it’s hard to cope with it, but it’s life. We have to be strong, be mentally stable. Right now it’s about family, safety, health and staying fit.”
