Adrian Cann
FullnameAdrian Cann
Birth dateSeptember 19, 1980 (age 46)
Birth placeThornhill, Ontario, Canada
Height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
PositionDefender
CurrentclubSerbian White Eagles
Collegeyears 12000–2003
College 1Louisville Cardinals
Years 12002
Clubs 1York Region Shooters
Years 22004
Clubs 2Colorado Rapids
Caps 22
Goals 20
Years 32004–2005
Clubs 3Montreal Impact
Caps 322
Goals 30
Years 42006–2008
Clubs 4Vancouver Whitecaps
Caps 458
Goals 41
Years 52008–2010
Clubs 5Esbjerg
Caps 514
Goals 50
Years 62010–2012
Clubs 6Toronto FC
Caps 648
Goals 60
Years 72014–2015
Clubs 7San Antonio Scorpions
Caps 738
Goals 72
Years 82016–2018
Clubs 8Scarborough SC
Caps 88
Goals 81
Years 92018–2019
Clubs 9Mississauga MetroStars (indoor)
Caps 913
Goals 90
Years 102021–
Clubs 10Serbian White Eagles
Nationalyears 12002–2003
Nationalteam 1Canada U20
Nationalcaps 13
Nationalgoals 10
Nationalyears 22008–2011
Nationalteam 2Canada
Nationalcaps 29
Nationalgoals 20
Nationalyears 32017
Nationalteam 3Canada Beach
Nationalcaps 36
Nationalgoals 30
PcupdateNovember 23, 2019
NtupdateOctober 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 the 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 its 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]

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 a 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. 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 made 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 was 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] He would win more silverware with the Serbs in 2024 as they defeated his former team, Scarborough, for the Royal CSL Cup.[42] In 2025, he played in the championship match, where Scarborough defeated the Serbs.[43]

Indoor career

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.[44][45] Cann, along with teammate Dwayne De Rosario, was named the team co-captain.[46] He made his debut for the club on December 1, 2018, against the Baltimore Blast.[46] In their debut season, the club failed to secure a playoff berth by finishing fourth in their division.[47] In total, he appeared in 13 matches.[48] The club would fold the following season.[47]

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.[49] His last cap came in 2011, earning him a total of nine caps, two of which were FIFA World Cup qualification matches.[50]

Cann represented Canada at the 2017 CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship.[51] In 2022, he represented Canada Beach Soccer in the World Winners Cup, a non-FIFA beach soccer tournament.[52]

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.[44]

Career statistics

As of 22 June 2014

Club performanceLeagueCupLeague CupContinentalTotal
ClubLeagueSeasonAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
United StatesLeagueU.S. Open CupMLS PlayoffsNorth AmericaTotal
Colorado RapidsMLS2004200000—20
CanadaLeague—League playoffsNorth AmericaTotal
Montreal ImpactA-League2004———
USL First Division2005
Vancouver Whitecaps2006
2007
200810
DenmarkLeagueDanish Cup—EuropeTotal
Esbjerg fBSuperliga2008–0970——
2009–1050—
CanadaLeagueCanadian ChampionshipMLS PlayoffsNorth AmericaTotal
Toronto FCMLS201026030—60350
201112020—00140
20123010000030
United StatesLeagueU.S. Open CupLeague PlayoffsNorth AmericaTotal
San Antonio ScorpionsNASL20149000000000
Career totalsUnited States11000000020
Canada60
Denmark120
Career statistics40

Honours

Montreal Impact

Vancouver Whitecaps

Toronto FC

Scarborough SC

Serbian White Eagles

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. 5 December 2003. Retrieved 7 December 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. 7 February 2005. Archived from the original on 7 February 2005. Retrieved 27 December 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 (25 April 2010). "Toronro FCs Cann kickin' it at home". Richmond Hill Liberal
  7. ^ Stinson, Dan (24 March 2006). "Whitecaps shore up back line, right flank". Vancouver Sun. pp. G7.
  8. ^ Hickey, Pat (16 May 2005). "Wilson's header paces Impact: Impact 1, Lynx 0. Pounces on miscue by Toronto 'keeper". Montreal Gazette. pp. C1.
  9. ^ Tsumura, Howard (26 April 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. 1 October 2006.
  11. ^ Stinson, Dan (21 April 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. 12 March 2008. pp. E4.
  13. ^ Walker, Ian (9 April 2008). "Cann surprised by appointment as new captain of Whitecaps". Vancouver Sun. pp. F5.
  14. ^ "Names And Games - One Out, Two In". Vancouver Sun. 5 July 2008. pp. F8.
  15. ^ "Toronto FC bolster back four". The Globe and Mail. 12 April 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. Archived from the original on April 17, 2012.
  23. ^ "Option Declined On Six Players". Toronto FC. November 15, 2012.
  24. ^ "Toronto FC releases 6 players including Adrian Cann". CBC. 15 November 2012. Retrieved 4 April 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. 3 November 2014.
  27. ^ Brousseau, Dave (16 November 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. 25 May 2015. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  29. ^ "Scorpions Captain Adrian Cann Has Re-Signed; Fully Healed From Last Season's Injury". www.nasl.com. 30 April 2015. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  30. ^ Adamson, Stan (11 August 2016). "Adrian Cann n the Twilight of a Great Career…Will assist Scarborough in bid for title". Canadian Soccer League. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
  31. ^ Adamson, Stan (10 October 2016). "York Region Shooters on top at end of Regular Season…..First year Ukraine United second". Canadian Soccer League. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
  32. ^ Adamson, Stan (17 October 2016). "York Region and Hamilton Advance to Semifinals......Shooters and Atomic will meet in Second Division final". Canadian Soccer League. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  33. ^ Stanchev, Stancho (28 September 2017). "Побългареният "Скарбъро" на исторически финал за титлата" [The Bulgarianized "Scarborough" in a historic final for the title] (in Bulgarian). struma.bg. Archived 30 October 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  34. ^ Adamson, Stan (1 October 2017). "York Region Wins CSL Championship.....FC Ukraine United defeats Burlington for Second Division title". Canadian Soccer League. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  35. ^ Adamson, Stan (May 17, 2018). "Attractive Games in CSL Set For Victoria Day Weekend". canadiansoccerleague.ca. Retrieved 2018-06-01.
  36. ^ Stanchev, Stancho (18 October 2018). "Прокобата на дузпите отново провали К. Димитров в Канада" [The execution of the penalties again failed K. Dimitrov in Canada] (in bg-BG). Вестник СТРУМА. Archived from the original on September 29, 2023. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  37. ^ "2021 Serbian White Eagles roster". cslregistration.ca. Archived from the original on 21 September 2021. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  38. ^ Adamson, Stan (2022-06-06). "Sunday Victories for Scarborough, Intercontinentals, York Region". Canadian Soccer League. Retrieved 2022-06-07.
  39. ^ Adamson, Stan (29 September 2022). "The Two Sides to Serbian White Eagles". serbianwhiteeagles.ca. Archived from the original on 2 December 2022. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  40. ^ Vujcic, Djuradj (20 August 2022). "Continentals Come Out on Top in Semi-Final". serbianwhiteeagles.ca. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  41. ^ "2023 Serbian White Eagles roster". serbianwhiteeagles.ca. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  42. ^ Vujcic, Djuradj (9 June 2024). "Two Goals By Pavicevic for the Win and the Cup". serbianwhiteeagles.ca. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  43. ^ Stanchev, Stancho (5 October 2025). "Брежанският мениджър К. Димитров изведе „Скарбъро“ до златен дубъл в Канада" [Brezhani manager K. Dimitrov led Scarborough to a golden double in Canada] (in bg-BG). Вестник СТРУМА. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
  44. ^ Davies, Mike (August 13, 2020). "Untapped market for soccer in Peterborough area: Cann". The Peterborough Examiner
  45. ^ Davidson, Neil (30 November 2018). "Mississauga MetroStars to kick off debut MASL season in Baltimore". The Canadian Press
  46. ^ Davidson, Neil (1 December 2018). "Dwayne De Rosario scores first-ever goal for indoor Mississauga MetroStars". The Canadian Press
  47. ^ Davidson, Neil (29 November 2019). "Indoor soccer takes another hit in Toronto as MetroStars pull out of MASL". The Canadian Press
  48. ^ "Adrian Cann soccer Statistics on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  49. ^ "Canada still perfect at Gold Cup". The Globe and Mail. 10 July 2009.
  50. ^ Record at FIFA Tournaments - FIFA
  51. ^ Davidson, Neil (13 February 2017). "Canadians prepare indoors for CONCACAF beach soccer qualifying tournament". The Canadian Press
  52. ^ Vujcic, Djuradj (2022-09-22). "Serbian White Eagles Represented at Beach Soccer World Winners Cup". serbianwhiteeagles.ca. Archived from the original on 27 November 2023. Retrieved 2023-12-25.