With more than 250 professional appearances under Matt Pickens’ belt, Nashville SC’s first signing for its inaugural professional season in the USL next spring has a wealth of experience to draw from thanks to his time in Major League Soccer and the USL.

We caught up with Pickens this week after his official introduction in the Music City to talk about being part of a historic moment, his time with the Tampa Bay Rowdies, and being reunited with Head Coach Gary Smith, with whom he won an MLS Cup seven years ago.

Q: What does it mean to be the first professional signing in Nashville SC’s history?

Matt Pickens: To be named Nashville SC’s first-ever player is truly a great honor, and something that I will take great pride in day-in and day-out working for the club towards achieving success on the field and in the Nashville community.

Q: You’re going to be reunited with Head Coach Gary Smith in Nashville, what are you looking forward to most about working with Gary again?

MP: Gary and I, along with a great group of players and staff achieved success at the MLS level in the past. This success is something we hope to re-create again in Nashville. Gary is someone I have always respected since Day 1 of playing for him. He has a wealth of experience in coaching not only in the U.S. but England as well. He creates a great soccer culture in the locker room and a competitive environment on the field, something I look forward contributing to with him.

Q: You famously won the MLS Cup in 2010 alongside Gary when you were with the Colorado Rapids, what is the biggest memory that has stayed with you from that season?

MP: I do not have a “biggest memory” of that time, but instead a feeling, which to me is more important. The feeling within the group of that 2010 championship team was blue-collar and as humble of a group I have ever been a part of. We did not have any superstars, but rather a hard-working group of guys, no-one above another, competing honestly every day at training which spearheaded an MLS Cup victory. We were very well-balanced as a team in every aspect and that feeling mirrored that throughout the entire 2010 season.