Adrian Cann

Adrian Cann

Cann in 2022
Personal information
Full name	Adrian Cann
Date of birth	(1980-09-19) September 19, 1980 (age 43)
Place of birth	Thornhill, Ontario, Canada
Height	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Position(s)	Defender
Team information
Current team	Serbian White Eagles
Number	6
College career
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2000–2003	Louisville Cardinals
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2002	York Region Shooters
2004	Colorado Rapids	2	(0)
2004–2005	Montreal Impact	22	(0)
2006–2008	Vancouver Whitecaps	58	(1)
2008–2010	Esbjerg	14	(0)
2010–2012	Toronto FC	48	(0)
2014–2015	San Antonio Scorpions	38	(2)
2016–2018	Scarborough SC	8	(1)
2018–2019	Mississauga MetroStars (indoor)	13	(0)
2021–	Serbian White Eagles
International career‡
2002–2003	Canada U20	3	(0)
2008–2011	Canada	9	(0)
2017	Canada Beach	6	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of November 23, 2019 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of October 17, 2017

Adrian Cann (born September 19, 1980) is a Canadian soccer player who plays as a defender for Canadian Soccer League club Serbian White Eagles FC.

Club career

College

Cann had a college soccer career at the University of Louisville from 2000 to 2003. ^[1] Cann immediately earned a place in the Cardinals' starting lineup as a freshman, starting 20 games for the team, and was named to first-team All-Conference USA. Cann would maintain this level of performance, being named first-team All-C USA as a sophomore, junior, and senior, and being named the conference's Co-Defensive Player of the Year as a junior and senior. In his final year he played 15 games for them. ^[2]

Cann is a member of the University of Louisville Athletics Hall of Fame. ^[3]

Early career

In 2002, he played with the York Region Shooters in the Canadian Professional Soccer League during the college offseason. ^[4] He would make his debut on May 23, 2002, against the Mississauga Olympians. ^[5]

Upon graduating, Cann was selected 16th overall in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft by Colorado Rapids. ^[6] Cann played little for the team, however, and was released midseason because of roster restrictions limiting a team's international players. Cann then signed late in the season with Montreal Impact, but saw little playing time for the team, playing only 256 minutes over 7 games. ^[7] He stayed with the Impact for the 2005 season and made 15 more appearances for them. ^[8] Throughout his tenure with Montreal, he helped the club win the league championship in 2004 and the regular-season title in 2005. ^[7]

In 2006, Cann signed with league rivals Vancouver Whitecaps. ^[9] In his debut season, he assisted the club in winning their first USL First Division Championship by beating the Rochester Raging Rhinos 3–0. ^[10] Vancouver would re-sign Cann the following season. ^[11] After the conclusion of the season, he was named the club's Most Outstanding Defender. ^[12] He would return to Vancouver for his third and final season in 2008. ^[12] In his final tenure with Vancouver he was appointed the team captain. ^[13] Midway through the season, he was transferred to Esbjerg fB in Denmark's premier league. ^[14]

Europe

On June 29, 2008, he signed a four-year deal with Danish football side Esbjerg fB. ^[15] He was released from his contract in early 2010.

Cann underwent a trial with League Two Burton Albion in England before agreeing to a trial with Toronto FC of Major League Soccer in March 2010. ^[16]

Cann with the Vancouver Whitecaps in 2008 (left) and with Toronto FC in 2011 (right)

MLS

Cann signed with Toronto FC on April 12, 2010, after ongoing trials with the team. ^[17] He made his debut for the club against Philadelphia Union on April 15, 2010. Since joining fellow international Nana Attakora in the centre of defence the Canadian partnership has become one of the strongest in the league. On September 21, 2010, Cann had a stand-out performance which saw him win Man of the Match against highly rated Mexican side Cruz Azul in the 2010 CONCACAF Champions League Group Stage, the game finished as a 0–0 away draw. This game was also the first time in which Adrian had the honour of wearing the captain's armband for Toronto since Dwayne De Rosario was on the bench. On November 18, Adrian was awarded the team's most valuable player of the 2010 season, taking the honour from captain Dwayne De Rosario who won the award in the 2009 season. ^[18]

Following pre-season camp in Turkey and Orlando, it was announced by the club on March 2, 2011, that Cann had not traveled with the team to Charleston, South Carolina for the Carolina Challenge Cup. This following Cann's rejection of a new contract offer in which he wanted to continue to negotiate, all deals were removed from the table leading Cann to retire or wait for Toronto to cancel the remaining years on his current contract. ^[19] However, eight days later the club announced that Cann had rejoined the team in Charleston just over a week before the first regular season game. ^[20] After a strong early 2011 season from Cann, on May 31 he tore his ACL during a practice on a turf field with the team. Coach Aron Winter confirmed that he would miss the remainder of the 2011 league season. ^[21]

Cann made his return from injury on April 14, 2012, against Chivas USA, the game ended in a 1–0 home loss for Toronto. ^[22]

Cann was released by Toronto on November 15, 2012. ^{[23] [24]} He subsequently entered the 2012 MLS Re-Entry Draft and became a free agent after going undrafted in both rounds of the draft.

NASL

On January 22, 2014, it was announced that Cann had signed with North American Soccer League club San Antonio Scorpions. ^[25] He was named the league's player of the week on November 3, 2014, after he recorded a goal that secured the fall season title for the club. ^[26] San Antonio would claim the Soccer Bowl 2014 by defeating the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. ^[27]

Cann was re-signed for the 2015 season and served as the team captain. ^{[28] [29]}

Canada

In the summer of 2016, he returned to the CSL circuit to sign with Scarborough SC. ^[30] He would make his debut on August 8, 2016, against Ukraine United. ^[30] He recorded his first goal on October 9, 2016, in a 2–1 defeat to the Serbian White Eagles. ^[31] Cann would help the eastern Toronto side secure a playoff berth by finishing third in the league's first division. ^[31] In the postseason, the club was eliminated in the opening round by Hamilton City. ^[32] In the 2017 season, Scarborough qualified for the playoffs once again where they initially defeated Brantford Galaxy and later Vorkuta to reach the championship final. ^[33] Scarborough would be defeated in the finals in a penalty shootout by the York Region Shooters ^[34] Cann was named the team captain for the 2018 season. ^[35] The eastern Toronto side managed to reach the championship final for the second consecutive year but were defeated by Vorkuta. ^[36]

After a two-year absence, he returned to CSL for the 2021 season to play with the Serbian White Eagles. ^[37] He re-signed with Serbia for the 2022 season. ^[38] Throughout the 2022 campaign, he helped the Serbs in securing the regular-season title including a playoff berth. ^[39] In the second round of the postseason, the Serbs were eliminated from the competition after a defeat to FC Continentals. ^[40] Cann returned for the 2023 season. ^[41]

Indoor

In the winter of 2018–19, he transitioned into the indoor soccer format signing with the Mississauga MetroStars an expansion franchise that competed in the American-based Major Arena Soccer League. ^{[42] [43]} Cann along with teammate Dwyane De Rosario were named the team co-captains. ^[44] He made his debut for the club on December 1, 2018, against the Baltimore Blast. ^[44] In their debut season, the club failed to secure a playoff berth by finishing fourth in their division. ^[45] In total, he appeared in 13 matches. ^[46] The club would fold the following season. ^[45]

International

He made his debut for Canada in a January 2008 friendly match against Martinique. Cann was also chosen in the 23-man roster for the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup where Canada won Group A with seven points before being knocked out by Honduras in the quarter-finals. ^[47] His last cap came in 2011, earning him a total of nine caps, two of which were FIFA World Cup qualification matches. ^[48]

Cann represented Canada at the 2017 CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship. ^[49] In 2022, he represented Canada Beach Soccer in the World Winners Cup, a non-FIFA beach soccer tournament. ^[50]

Post-playing career

After retiring he became a real estate agent. In 2020, he became involved with a group looking to found a professional soccer team in Peterborough, Ontario to play in League1 Ontario. The team became known as Electric City FC, with Cann hoping to serve as the team's head coach after retiring. ^[42]

Career statistics

As of 22 June 2014 ^[update]

Club performance			League		Cup		League Cup		Continental		Total
Club	League	Season	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
United States			League		U.S. Open Cup		MLS Playoffs		North America		Total
Colorado Rapids	MLS	2004	2	0	0	0	0	0	—		2	0
Canada			League		—		League playoffs		North America		Total
Montreal Impact	A-League	2004			—		—		—
	USL First Division	2005
Vancouver Whitecaps		2006
		2007
		2008					1	0
Denmark			League		Danish Cup		—		Europe		Total
Esbjerg fB	Superliga	2008–09	7	0			—		—
		2009–10	5	0					—
Canada			League		Canadian Championship		MLS Playoffs		North America		Total
Toronto FC	MLS	2010	26	0	3	0	—		6	0	35	0
		2011	12	0	2	0	—		0	0	14	0
		2012	3	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	3	0
United States			League		U.S. Open Cup		League Playoffs		North America		Total
San Antonio Scorpions	NASL	2014	9	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Career totals	United States		11	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
	Canada								6	0
	Denmark		12	0
	Career statistics								4	0

Honours

Montreal Impact

• A-League Championship (1): 2004
• A-League Eastern Conference Championship (1): 2004
• USL First Division Commissioner's Cup (1): 2005

Vancouver Whitecaps

• USL First Division Championship (1): 2006

Toronto FC

• Canadian Championship (3): 2010, 2011, 2012

Individual

• Toronto FC Player of the Year: 2010
• 2002 Conference USA Co-Defensive Player of the Year
• 2002 First Team All-Conference USA
• 2002 Team Most Valuable Player
• 2002 Team Most Valuable Defensive Player
• 2002 NSCAA second team All-Great Lakes
• 2001 Conference USA Co-Defensive Player of the Year
• 2001 First Team All-Conference USA
• 2001 Team Most Valuable Player
• 2001 Team Most Valuable Defensive Player
• 2001 NSCAA second team All-Great Lakes
• 2000 First Team All-Conference USA
• 2000 Conference USA All-Freshman Team
• 2000 NSCAA second team All-Great Lakes

References

1. "Simon Bird and Adrian Cann Invited to MLS Combine". gocards.com. December 5, 2003. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
2. Cumulative Season Statistics Archived October 6, 2011, at the Wayback Machine - UOfL Sports
3. "Athletics Hall of Fame - Adrian Cann". Louisville Cardinals .
4. "Player Development a Hallmark of Vaughan Shooters". cpsl.ca. February 7, 2005. Archived from the original on February 7, 2005. Retrieved December 27, 2016.
5. Glover, Robin. "May 24, 2002 CPSL York Region Shooters vs Mississauga Olympians (by Rocket Robin)". Rocket Robin Soccer in Toronto.
6. McLean, Adam (April 25, 2010). "Toronro FCs Cann kickin' it at home". Richmond Hill Liberal .
7. Stinson, Dan (March 24, 2006). "Whitecaps shore up back line, right flank". Vancouver Sun . pp. G7.
8. Hickey, Pat (May 16, 2005). "Wilson's header paces Impact: Impact 1, Lynx 0. Pounces on miscue by Toronto 'keeper". Montreal Gazette . pp. C1.
9. Tsumura, Howard (April 26, 2006). "He Cann get to high places: Defender goes up for balls and scales rock walls". The Province . pp. A48.
10. "Vancouver Whitecaps USL Champions 2006: The Team". The Province . October 1, 2006.
11. Stinson, Dan (April 21, 2007). "Door opens for fleet feet; Cameroon connection gets chance". Vancouver Sun . pp. G7.
12. "Caps will soon add a 'monster' to the roster". Vancouver Sun . March 12, 2008. pp. E4.
13. Walker, Ian (April 9, 2008). "Cann surprised by appointment as new captain of Whitecaps". Vancouver Sun . pp. F5.
14. "Names And Games - One Out, Two In". Vancouver Sun . July 5, 2008. pp. F8.
15. "Toronto FC bolster back four". The Globe and Mail . April 12, 2010.
16. "Preki: Trialist And Injury Update". Toronto FC . March 23, 2010.
17. "Toronto signs Cann and Usanov". Toronto FC . April 12, 2010.
18. Wileman, Luke (November 17, 2010). "Cann Named Team MVP". Toronto FC .
19. "Cann leaves Camp". Toronto FC . March 2, 2011.
20. "Cann To Rejoin Reds On Friday". Toronto FC . March 10, 2011.
21. "Adrian Cann Out For The Season". Toronto FC . May 31, 2011.
22. Millson, Larry (April 14, 2012). "Toronto Topped By Chivas". Toronto FC .
23. "Option Declined On Six Players". Toronto FC . November 15, 2012.
24. "Toronto FC releases 6 players including Adrian Cann". CBC . November 15, 2012. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
25. "Former Toronto FC defender Adrian Cann resumes career with San Antonio Scorpions". Huffington Post . April 10, 2014.
26. "Former Toronto FC defender Adrian Cann wins NASL weekly player honours". The Canadian Press . November 3, 2014.
27. Brousseau, Dave (November 16, 2014). "Strikers fall short in NASL title match, 2-1". South Florida Sun Sentinel . pp. C9.
28. "Cann's return to Scorpions triggers modest win streak". San Antonio Express News . May 25, 2015. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
29. "Scorpions Captain Adrian Cann Has Re-Signed; Fully Healed From Last Season's Injury". www.nasl.com. April 30, 2015. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
30. Adamson, Stan (August 11, 2016). "Adrian Cann n the Twilight of a Great Career…Will assist Scarborough in bid for title". Canadian Soccer League . Retrieved February 9, 2017.
31. Adamson, Stan (October 10, 2016). "York Region Shooters on top at end of Regular Season…..First year Ukraine United second". Canadian Soccer League . Retrieved February 9, 2017.
32. Adamson, Stan (October 17, 2016). "York Region and Hamilton Advance to Semifinals......Shooters and Atomic will meet in Second Division final". Canadian Soccer League. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
33. Stanchev, Stancho (September 28, 2017). "Побългареният "Скарбъро" на исторически финал за титлата" [The Bulgarianized "Scarborough" in a historic final for the title]. struma.bg (in Bulgarian). Archived from the original on October 30, 2022. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
34. Adamson, Stan (October 1, 2017). "York Region Wins CSL Championship.....FC Ukraine United defeats Burlington for Second Division title". Canadian Soccer League. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
35. Adamson, Stan (May 17, 2018). "Attractive Games in CSL Set For Victoria Day Weekend". canadiansoccerleague.ca. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
36. Stanchev, Stancho (October 18, 2018). "Прокобата на дузпите отново провали К. Димитров в Канада" [The execution of the penalties again failed K. Dimitrov in Canada]. Вестник СТРУМА (in Bulgarian). Retrieved January 26, 2020.
37. "2021 Serbian White Eagles roster". cslregistration.ca. Archived from the original on September 21, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
38. Adamson, Stan (June 6, 2022). "Sunday Victories for Scarborough, Intercontinentals, York Region". Canadian Soccer League. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
39. Adamson, Stan (September 29, 2022). "The Two Sides to Serbian White Eagles". serbianwhiteeagles.ca. Archived from the original on December 2, 2022. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
40. Vujcic, Djuradj (August 20, 2022). "Continentals Come Out on Top in Semi-Final". serbianwhiteeagles.ca. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
41. "2023 Serbian White Eagles roster". serbianwhiteeagles.ca. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
42. Davies, Mike (August 13, 2020). "Untapped market for soccer in Peterborough area: Cann". The Peterborough Examiner .
43. Davidson, Neil (November 30, 2018). "Mississauga MetroStars to kick off debut MASL season in Baltimore". The Canadian Press .
44. Davidson, Neil (December 1, 2018). "Dwayne De Rosario scores first-ever goal for indoor Mississauga MetroStars". The Canadian Press .
45. Davidson, Neil (November 29, 2019). "Indoor soccer takes another hit in Toronto as MetroStars pull out of MASL". The Canadian Press .
46. "Adrian Cann soccer Statistics on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
47. "Canada still perfect at Gold Cup". The Globe and Mail . July 10, 2009.
48. Record at FIFA Tournaments - FIFA
49. Davidson, Neil (February 13, 2017). "Canadians prepare indoors for CONCACAF beach soccer qualifying tournament". The Canadian Press .
50. Vujcic, Djuradj (September 22, 2022). "Serbian White Eagles Represented at Beach Soccer World Winners Cup". serbianwhiteeagles.ca. Archived from the original on November 27, 2023. Retrieved December 25, 2023.

External links

• Adrian Cann at Major League Soccer
• Adrian Cann at the Canadian Soccer Association
• Adrian Cann at DR (in Danish) (archived)
• Profile at Model Resource
• Adrian Cann at National-Football-Teams.com
• Adrian Cann at Soccerway