Matt Pickens

U.S. Soccer
  • U.S. National Team: MNT
  • Position: Goalkeeper
  • Date Of Birth: April 5, 1982
  • Height: 6-3
  • Weight: 200
  • Hometown: Washington, Mo.
  • Club: Colorado Rapids

The last line of defense for a Colorado Rapids team that won the 2010 MLS Cup, Pickens has reemerged as one of the solid goalkeepers in the league after his return in 2009 to the United States. A veteran of previous January camps, Pickens is still looking for his first cap for the U.S. National Team.

  • Backstopped the Colorado Rapids to their first ever MLS Cup title, making a career-high 29 appearances
  • Named the 2009 Rapids Defensive Player of the Year

2009: Called into MNT training camp in preparation for FIFA World Cup qualifier against Mexico … 2008: Participated in MNT training camp in preparation for FIFA World Cup qualifier against Guatemala … 2007: Called into MNT training camp in Jan. and Feb. to replace injured goalkeeper Brad Guzan in preparation for international friendlies against Denmark and Mexico … First Appearance: None First Goal: None
2010: Started a career-high 29 games for Colorado en route to winning the 2010 MLS Cup … He also appeared in all four playoff games for the Rapids … 2009: Started 19 games in goal for the Colorado Rapids and had a record of 9-6-4 with 39 saves and a 1.16 goals against average … Was named the Rapids 2009 Defensive Player of the Year … Made his Rapids debut starting in the season opener at Chivas USA on March 21 … 2008: Signed a deal with Queens Park Rangers in England … 2007: Recorded career-highs in saves (102), GAA (1.15) and shutouts (10)…Played in all but three of Chicago’s games … Ended the season on a 246 minute shutout streak … 2006: Started all eight league appearances, going 5-3-0 and collecting a 1.38 GAA during the last quarter of the Fire's regular season … Earned MLS Player of the Month honors in September after going 4-2-0 with a 0.83 GAA and 89.5 save percentage… 2005: Finished the season with a 2-2-1 record and 1.20 GAA in five appearances (three starts)…Earned first career MLS win on 4/16 vs. San Jose in his first career MLS start…Missed last nine weeks of action due to injury (R high ankle sprain on 8-19 at KC)… 2004: Selected by the Fire in the second round of the 2004 MLS SuperDraft … Did not see any game action with the Fire during the season.

Finished his collegiate career at Missouri State (then Southwest Missouri State) second on the all-time chart in goals against average (1.25) and fifth in saves (191) … As a senior, played in 20 matches, starting 19, logging 1,822 minutes and registering a 1.38 GAA … In 2002, started 19 of 20 matches, posting a 1.38 goal against average…Notched five shutouts in 2002, which is the fifth best single-season total in school history…Earned First-team All-Midwest Region, First-team All-MVC, All-MVC Tournament team, First-team All-MVC Academic and First-team NSCAA All-America Scholar Athlete honors.

Son of Dwayne and Barbara Pickens …Played high school soccer at St. Francis Borgia High School in Washington, Mo., and co-captained the Knights to a runner-up finish in the district playoffs his senior season.

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