Matt Pickens
Encyclopedia
Matt Pickens is an American
soccer player who currently plays for Colorado Rapids
in Major League Soccer
.
for Missouri State University
from 2000 to 2003. He also played for Chicago Fire Premier
in the USL Premier Development League
.
by the Fire. He was not able, however, to break through a deep lineup of Fire goalkeepers, which initially included Henry Ring
and D.J. Countess, and later Zach Thornton
. He was loaned out for much of the year to the A-League
Virginia Beach Mariners
, where he played 290 minutes, conceding only 3 goals.
During the latter half of 2006, after an injury to Zach Thornton
, Pickens started in goal for the Fire even though Thornton is match fit again. This also includes his first play-off start on October 22, 2006 for the Fire, keeping a clean sheet in a game that the Fire won, 1-0 thanks to a goal from Justin Mapp
in the 35th minute. Zach Thornton was traded to the Colorado Rapids
on March 2, 2007; Pickens has been the Chicago Fire's first choice goalkeeper for the 2007 season. Matt has become a fan favorite and has been nicknamed "Slim Pickens" by the Section 8
supporters group.
On 17 January 2008 it was announced that Pickens was on trial at English Championship
side Norwich City
. However, Norwich were unable to offer him a first-team place. Interest from other British clubs continued with a short spell training at Preston North End
. By the end of January reports circulated that he may join Queens Park Rangers
.
On 7 February 2008, Pickens signed a deal with QPR until the end of the 2008 season. On 6 May 2008, it was announced that Pickens would not have his contact extended and that he will be released by the club at the end of June.
Pickens trialled with numerous clubs in England and Scotland after his release, including Hibernian
, Doncaster Rovers, Falkirk
and Nottingham Forest, the latter of which he claims he was close to signing with. However, despite not securing a new contract in Europe, Chicago Fire traded Pickens rights to Colorado Rapids
on January 15, 2009 and was signed by the club shortly after.
training camps, including the upcoming camp in January 2011. However, he has never earned a national cap or been part of the final 18-man roster.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soccer player who currently plays for Colorado Rapids
Colorado Rapids
The Colorado Rapids are an American professional soccer club based in the Denver suburb of Commerce City, Colorado which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league...
in Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
.
Youth and Amateur
Pickens initially attended Meramec Community College before playing college soccerCollege soccer
College soccer is a term used to describe association football played by teams who are operated by colleges and universities as opposed to a professional league operated for exclusively financial purposes...
for Missouri State University
Missouri State University
Missouri State University is a public university located in Springfield, Missouri, United States and founded in 1905. It is the state's second largest university, with an official enrollment of 20,802 in fall 2011...
from 2000 to 2003. He also played for Chicago Fire Premier
Chicago Fire Premier
Chicago Fire Premier is an American soccer team based in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Founded in 2001, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Great Lakes Division of the Central Conference.The team plays its home games at...
in the USL Premier Development League
USL Premier Development League
The USL Premier Development League is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid...
.
Professional
Upon graduating, Pickens was drafted 19th overall in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft2004 MLS SuperDraft
The 2004 MLS SuperDraft, held in Charlotte, North Carolina on January 16, 2004, was the fifth incarnation of the annual Major League Soccer SuperDraft, and was most notable for the selection of one of the youngest athletes in American sporting history, Freddy Adu, with the first pick.-Player...
by the Fire. He was not able, however, to break through a deep lineup of Fire goalkeepers, which initially included Henry Ring
Henry Ring
Henry Ring is a soccer goalkeeper, who last played for the Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer.Ring attended the University of South Carolina where he played for the men's soccer team from 1997 to 2000. He was a third team All American both seasons...
and D.J. Countess, and later Zach Thornton
Zach Thornton
Zach Thornton is an American soccer player who currently plays for Chivas USA in Major League Soccer.-Youth and college:...
. He was loaned out for much of the year to the A-League
USL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
Virginia Beach Mariners
Virginia Beach Mariners
The Virginia Beach Mariners were an American soccer club, who formerly played in the USL First Division of the United Soccer Leagues, the second division in the US Soccer hierarchy behind Major League Soccer...
, where he played 290 minutes, conceding only 3 goals.
During the latter half of 2006, after an injury to Zach Thornton
Zach Thornton
Zach Thornton is an American soccer player who currently plays for Chivas USA in Major League Soccer.-Youth and college:...
, Pickens started in goal for the Fire even though Thornton is match fit again. This also includes his first play-off start on October 22, 2006 for the Fire, keeping a clean sheet in a game that the Fire won, 1-0 thanks to a goal from Justin Mapp
Justin Mapp
Justin Mapp is an American soccer player who currently plays for Montreal Impact in Major League Soccer.-Professional:...
in the 35th minute. Zach Thornton was traded to the Colorado Rapids
Colorado Rapids
The Colorado Rapids are an American professional soccer club based in the Denver suburb of Commerce City, Colorado which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league...
on March 2, 2007; Pickens has been the Chicago Fire's first choice goalkeeper for the 2007 season. Matt has become a fan favorite and has been nicknamed "Slim Pickens" by the Section 8
Section 8
Section 8 or Section Eight may refer to:*Section 8 , a United States military form of discharge due to mental illness and/or problems*Section 8 , a U.S...
supporters group.
On 17 January 2008 it was announced that Pickens was on trial at English Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
side Norwich City
Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
. However, Norwich were unable to offer him a first-team place. Interest from other British clubs continued with a short spell training at Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
. By the end of January reports circulated that he may join Queens Park Rangers
Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
.
On 7 February 2008, Pickens signed a deal with QPR until the end of the 2008 season. On 6 May 2008, it was announced that Pickens would not have his contact extended and that he will be released by the club at the end of June.
Pickens trialled with numerous clubs in England and Scotland after his release, including Hibernian
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
, Doncaster Rovers, Falkirk
Falkirk F.C.
Falkirk Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Falkirk. It is one of two professional football teams from the town, the other being East Stirlingshire...
and Nottingham Forest, the latter of which he claims he was close to signing with. However, despite not securing a new contract in Europe, Chicago Fire traded Pickens rights to Colorado Rapids
Colorado Rapids
The Colorado Rapids are an American professional soccer club based in the Denver suburb of Commerce City, Colorado which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league...
on January 15, 2009 and was signed by the club shortly after.
International
As of December 2010, Pickens has been called up to five United StatesUnited States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
training camps, including the upcoming camp in January 2011. However, he has never earned a national cap or been part of the final 18-man roster.
Colorado Rapids
- Major League SoccerMajor League SoccerMajor League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
Eastern Conference Championship (1): 20102010 Major League Soccer seasonThe 2010 Major League Soccer season was the 98th season of FIFA-sanctioned soccer, the 32nd with a national first-division league, in the United States and Canada, and the 15th in MLS history. It began on March 25 at Seattle's Qwest Field with Seattle Sounders FC defeating the expansion... - Major League SoccerMajor League SoccerMajor League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
MLS Cup (1): 20102010 Major League Soccer seasonThe 2010 Major League Soccer season was the 98th season of FIFA-sanctioned soccer, the 32nd with a national first-division league, in the United States and Canada, and the 15th in MLS history. It began on March 25 at Seattle's Qwest Field with Seattle Sounders FC defeating the expansion...