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Feb. 7, 2008
PICKING A NEW TEAM
Matt Pickens Heads to England to Live Out A Dream
Kathryn L. Knapp
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Matt Pickens departs Chicago to live out a dream. He set a record in 2007 with 10 shutouts.
Linda Cuttone / SportsVue Images |
If you have an opportunity to make your dreams come true, you have to take it while you’ve got it. That’s exactly what former Fire goalkeeper Matt Pickens did. After the 2007 season, Pickens became one of the top goalkeepers in Major League Soccer. He was out of contract with the league and in negotiations. Bob Bradley invited him to U.S. Men’s National Team training camp. It was his time to shine.
And then he had a dilemma. Pickens was offered the opportunity to train with Norwich City overseas. Bradley gave him permission and he was quietly on his way. Pickens spent the next couple of weeks weighing his options. In the end, the Fire made a good offer, but Pickens left his heart in Europe.
“If I had no European options, I’d be back in a Fire uniform,” Pickens said. “I’d be a fool not to go to Europe when I have my chance. I don’t want to look back and wonder what if. I have the chance, and I have to take it.”
There was speculation that the Fire wasn’t making a decent offer for Pickens or that having him back wasn’t a priority. He was out of contract. Everyone knew that. But while Chicago wanted to hold on to their goalkeeper, they had to find a new head coach and soon.
“The Fire needed to look for a head coach,” Pickens said. “I understood that. I totally respected that. I was very happy about the final offer they made. Honestly, it doesn’t matter how much money they offered, I had an opportunity to play in England. And I had to take it.”
The truth is, the Fire wanted him back. And part of Pickens wanted to be back. But the offer to play in England was too great. Now he’s headed to join Queens Park Rangers. He will serve as the No. 2 keeper and sport Number 18. Pickens signed a contract through June 2008.
“Matt’s a guy we wanted back,” Fire head coach Denis Hamlett said. “He had aspirations to play in Europe and we wish him nothing but the best. He’s a great professional, a great keeper.”
Pickens and the Fire organization go back to 2002. He first played for the Fire as a member of the Chicago Fire Reserves (now Chicago Fire Premier). In 2003, Pickens had a breakout performance with 13 wins and six shutouts in 16 contests. In 2004, Chicago selected him with the 19th overall pick in the MLS SuperDraft.
He spent two and a half years as back-up goalkeeper for the Fire. Pickens made his MLS debut in 2005, coming in for an injured Zach Thornton. In 2006, he led the Fire to its fourth Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Championship allowing just two goals and helping the club to a 4-0 record. Pickens finished the last eight regular-season games and two playoff games.
Former Fire President / General Manager Peter Wilt remembers the 2006 Open Cup fondly. While he was technically no longer a part of the organization, he was front and center with the fans in Section 8. After the Fire players received their medals, they ran over to Section 8. Pickens picked Wilt out of the crowd and gave him his medal.
"I will never forget his kind gesture after the 2006 US Open Cup win when he found me in Section 8 and gave me his championship medal,” Wilt said. “I will always be a fan of his. Matt is a very good goalkeeper and has been loyal to the
Chicago Fire. He was patient at the beginning of his career as a reserve, he worked hard and proved himself in MLS and now he is positioned for a great new opportunity.”
In the 2007 season, Pickens rose to a whole new level. He set a club record for shutouts with 10, while leading the club to a 9-8-10 record and a run at MLS Cup 2008. Oct. 21, 2007 was a huge night for the Fire. If Chicago won, they would secure, without a doubt, a trip to the playoffs. David Beckham also made his Toyota Park debut. Pickens had to stand strong in goal. He grabbed one of Beckham’s attempts and kept the net clean.
“You have to respect the guy,” Pickens said. “You have to be ready for anything. Those are the opportunities you live for.”
With the 1-0 win, Pickens earned his 10th shutout of the year. He did it all humbly with a smile on his face, always giving his teammates credit for all they accomplished.
“I didn’t even know that I set any kind of record,” Pickens said. “I’m happy with it. But the guys in front of me should be just as happy. It’s not just my record. It’s our record.”
Pickens MLS era is over for now, as he looks to live out his dream of playing in Europe.
“It’s a new challenge for me,” Pickens said. “It’s a different country, a different culture. I’m excited to get in the mix of things.”
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