Major League Soccer may bring back its iconic program ‘Bullet Wars’ in the near future. MLS tweeted an old video clip of the incident and wrote, “If you think we should bring back GOALIE WARS!”
The video takes us back to 2001 when the San Jose Earthquakes staged the All-Star Game at Spartan Stadium. Three goalkeepers Joe Kennan, Nick Rimando and Zach Thornton took part in one of MLS’s most memorable moments. The keepers went up against each other in a grueling segment called the ‘Bullet Wars’.
The rules of the section were very tough. Each divisional team will have a goalkeeper attached in each game, defending their goal while attempting to score in their opponent’s net. Goalkeepers can shoot at their opponent’s goal by tossing, kicking or dropping the ball.
Within three steps and six seconds of getting the ball back after a save, a shot must be attempted. Balls that are not controlled or deflected after the last line will be returned to the person taking the first shot. At the end of every two and a half minute match, the player with the most points is declared the winner.
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At night, Cannon ran the show, giving more than 100 appearances for the San Jose Earthquakes. In the first round, he outplayed both of his opponents before again defeating Chicago Fire shot-stopper Thornton in the final.
In an interview with MLS in 2020, Cannon reflected on his amazing performance in the All-Star Golly Wars.
“I think as a young goalkeeper, a lot of us love that exercise because it really takes away any cognitive thinking, decision making. It’s shot-stopping, one-on-one , is about Mano-e-Mano, whose, I have a twin brother, so it was right up my alley”, he said.
Thornton may have lost to Cannon in the “Gullet Wars” final, but he admitted that he thoroughly enjoyed every moment of the fight.
“There was a terrible fight going on between me and Cannon. We played very well and we both got into it. I think whenever the goalkeepers have a chance to score, they enjoy it.” , the former Chicago keeper told MLS.
Tragically, for those who could not watch “Bullet Wars”, the event was canceled in later years as MLS moved on to other segments of All-Star events. However, with its recent tweet, MLS may have signaled the possible return of a golden section that has been lost in the annals of MLS history.
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