Frankly Speaking: Joe Cannon Gives a Thumbs Up

Joe Cannon is one of the most competitive guys on the Quakes, but he also has a goofy side. On Saturday, Joe put a comical twist on one of the timeless traditions in soccer, the pre-game photo shoot.

All jokes aside, Cannon is enjoying a renaissance of sorts with four clean sheets in-a-row. He has even made a number of highlight-reel saves (See: Example A, Example B, and Example C) and is one of the primary reasons San Jose is tied for second in the Western Conference.

After the Quakes let in a league-high 50 goals in 2009, a Cannon-led defense has emerged as one of the best in MLS this season.

What's gotten into the 35-year-old keeper? Cannon credits a tough pre-season training regimen for the Quakes overall fitness. A winning locker room is certainly a lot more fun to be in than a losing one.

Cannon has a lot to be proud of these days, including fellow Santa Clara University alumnus Steven Nash.

How about this pop-culture flowchart:
Cannon and Nash attended SCU together for two years before pursuing their own professional careers > Nash helped lead the Phoenix Suns to a win over the Los Angeles Lakers Sunday evening > Los Angeles happens to be San Jose Earthquakes fans' least-favorite city > David Beckham roots for the Lakers and plays for the Galaxy, which obviously means Quakes Nation is anti-Lakers and pro-Steve Nash/Phoenix Suns/Santa Clara University/Joe Cannon > Nash's dad was born in the Tottenham district of London and is a dedicated Tottenham Hotspur fan > Tottenham Hotspur is the partner club of the San Jose Earthquakes.

Whether Steve Nash knows it or not, he is a San Jose Earthquakes fan.