CHELAN (Aug. 10)—Longtime FC Spare Tire player Erik Cannella recently announced his retirement from the team to pursue an opportunity with a start-up restaurant in a scenic resort community nestled at the edge of the Cascades.
Cannella missed all but one game of summer session to pursue potential culinary career possibilities that had him gallivanting about from Missoula, Mont. to Seattle to Lake Chelan to Napa, Calif.
“It’s been quite an eventful summer,” Cannella says.
“We have the opportunity to open a small place here,” he continues. “I was hired to get a restaurant up and running—create the menus, recipes, organize the restaurant and get them through the opening process.”
The restaurant name and exact location has yet to be disclosed, but the idea is for a 20- to 24-seat establishment.
“You dine in a family style,” Cannella explains. “The food is seasonal and designed to be shared. For example, a bowl of stewed meats, grilled vegetables and a gratin are served and the table serves from the central bowls. We’ll also have a small wine list and local beers, etc.”
Cannella, who ranks after only a handful among those with the most years of service to the club with five, is the team’s eighth leading scorer with 19 and 17 assists. Cannella’s goals came mainly as a forward, but teammates widely considered him a touch better as an instinctive defender.
Cannella was Tire’s third-ever goal scorer in a 4-1 loss to Seattle Express on June 23, 2002 at the astroturf of Shoreline Stadium. Among Cannella’s 19 goals, none occurred in more than one game.
“So my future with FC is uncertain,” he says. “I will join you whenever I find the time. Thank you, guys—it’s been great being a part of FC.
“Good luck and look us up when you find yourself out our way. Now Scot Rogers [at 41] is the official ‘eldest member’,” Cannella reminds.
