In the spring of 1991, during his final semester of college, Cannon started his professional career with the Albany Capitals of the American Professional Soccer League (APSL). The Capitals made it to the finals of the APSL but lost in penalty kicks. In the summer of 1991, he also played for the U.S. at the World University Games. That fall, he signed with the Harrisburg Heat of the National Professional Soccer League (NPSL) for the 1991-1992 season, despite being selected first (third overall) by the Cleveland Crunch in the first round of the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) draft. He later signed with the Detroit Rockers at some point during the 1994-1995 NPSL season, playing only ten games with them. In the summer of 1995, Cannon spent one season with the expansion Albany Alleycats of USISL. That fall, he signed with the Cincinnati Silverbacks of NPSL.