There were league matches played today in France and neither Joe Cannon nor Greg Vanney were even on their respective benches for either match...anyone know what gives? I can only assume that Cannon is getting used to the club and grounds by playing a bit with the reserves, but is Vanney hurt?
Word of Vanney's status is absent from Bastia's pretty feeble web site. It can't be good for his playing prospects that they've done quite well without him - 4 wins, 1 draw in their last five - plus they have a new defender on loan to work into the team. Cannon was signed to replace the back-up goalkeeper Chabbert(?) who was due to have shoulder surgery in "early February". However, Chabbert has been included in at least two matches since Joe signed. The numero uno Itandje was just selected by France for the "espoirs" match (which I guess must be something like U23) against the Czech republic. The more interesting Lens keeper news is that the one that Cannon replaced (Warmuz, who quit the team in December after a bad run of games) was just signed by Arsenal as Seaman's backup. In the spirit of the if-Ricketts-is $3.5 mil-what's-McBride, if the number five keeper in MLS (picking a number out of the air) can replace a keeper going to what is currently the best team in Europe (don't argue, play along), then how good is Tim Howard?
Actually, Joe Cannon was voted #1 keeper in MLS for 2002. Tim Howard was voted #2. The votes are based on current form, not future potential.