On Thursday, 30 November, Nashville SC announced the signing of goalkeeper Matt Pickens as its first-ever player, followed by the announcement of the signings of three other players, defender Oumar Ballo, midfielder Matt Lagrassa, and forward Robin Shroot. Pickens, 35, has played for the Chicago Fire and Colorado Rapids in MLS, and the Virginia Beach Mariners (while on loan) and the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the USL. Pickens began his career in Division 1 college soccer, playing for the Missouri State University Bears, while also playing for the Chicago Fire Premier team in the USL Premier Development League. After graduating, Pickens was drafted by the Chicago Fire in 2004, but was loaned out to the Virginia Beach Mariners for most of the 2004 season. Back with the Fire in 2005, he did not see much playing time until the second half of the 2006 season, during which time the Fire won the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup with his help. In his three seasons with the Chicago Fire, Pickens had 46 caps (career appearances) in 43 starts, and kept 13 clean sheets.

In 2008, Pickens took a brief detour in England with Queen’s Park Rangers before being traded to the Colorado Rapids in January 2009. He flourished in his almost five seasons in Colorado, racking up 125 caps, 23 clean sheets, and winning the 2010 MLS Cup with the Rapids under head coach Gary Smith. Yes, that Gary Smith. The same Gary Smith who just brought Pickens to Nashville. In 2014, however, Colorado released Matty P, who was acquired by the New England Revolution and then sold to the Tampa Bay Rowdies, who were currently in the North American Soccer League and would join the USL in 2017 with the restructuring of the American soccer pyramid. In the four seasons he spent in Tampa Bay, Pickens would make 102 caps in 101 starts, and keep 28 clean sheets. He was invited to five US men’s national team (USMNT) training camps, but he has not (yet) earned a national cap, presumably because he has too much hair on his head, and would make Tim Howard and Brad Guzan jealous.

So, that brings us to Nashville. Why did Nashville SC sign Matt Pickens? What does he bring to the team? Well, don’t just take it from me. “Matt is one of the elite goalkeepers over the last 10 years in MLS. He is first-class professional and an MLS Champion,” said Coach Smith on Pickens. Having coached Pickens during that MLS Championship season in 2010, Smith knows exactly what he’s talking about.

From what I’ve seen, he has a good arm, and a good eye for picking out passes to start counter attacks. Coach Smith has a tendency to adapt his tactics and formations depending on his opponent, but Pickens has experience playing under him, and will be vital in building attacks from the back.

Okay, that’s great, but what good is a goalkeeper if, you know, he can’t keep balls from going in the goal? I mean, that’s in his job description: goal keeper, as in keeper of balls from going in goal. Well, let’s take a look at some of Pickens’ goalkeeping resumé:

Matt Pickens is 6’3″ tall, and has the ability to reach up and send balls over the net. He has great reflexes, as shown by the second and fourth saves he makes in the above video. In 2012, Matt Pickens was voted the Colorado Rapids’ MVP. The team released a highlight reel of his work, linked below:

At Tampa Bay, Pickens continued to be in form:

Pickens has excellent goal coverage, the ability to get up high and defend upper 90 balls, and good awareness of his positioning. When caught out of position, like in the below video, he has the agility to still make the save:

He is able to throw himself across the goal to make saves with his hands or even the tips of his fingers. His jump saves are incredible, and he clearly has good reflexes. Some of his quick reflex saves look very similar to MLS Save of the Year by Atlanta United’s Brad Guzan against Toronto FC’s Jozy Altidore. And, as shown below, the dude can move quickly to make saves:

So, what does Pickens bring to Music City? He brings extensive MLS and USL/NASL experience, a good working relationship with Head Coach Smith, the ability to distribute well, good soccer IQ, and great reflexes. Overall, I’d be willing to say we got a great deal here with Pickens. At 35 years old, he is still in excellent form for goalkeepers (Colorado’s current keeper is Tim Howard, who is 38, and Atlanta United’s Brad Guzan is 32). Pickens still has another few years left in him, and will be an experienced leader on the team during Nashville SC’s inaugural season.

If you’ve read this far, good for you. If you’re interested in more Matty P, here’s an almost ten minute-long video of Pickens’ highlights at the Chicago Fire. I recommend you listen with the sound off, the song that goes with it is mildly NSFW (language).