GOLDEN GLOVE IS FIRST-CAREER AWARD FOR PICKENS
NASHVILLE – On November 30, 2017, Nashville Soccer Club announced Matt Pickens as its first-ever professional player signing. Two years later, Pickens won the USL Championship’s Golden Glove award given to the keeper in the league with the lowest goals against average. The 37-year-old veteran allowed a meager 16 goals in 25 starts for Nashville in 2019, averaging just 0.64 goals allowed per match.
That mark is the second-lowest single season goals against average in USL Championship history, just above the 0.54 GAA total of Brandon Miller from the Rochester Rhinos set in 2015.
Pickens’ latest shutout against Atlanta United 2 in Nashville SC’s regular season finale was his 14th of the 2019 season, equaling the 14 clean sheets Pickens earned in 2018. The two seasons of 14 clean sheets by Pickens stand tied for second in the best totals for any season behind Maxime Crepeau’s total of 15 in 2018.
The dominant two-year run from Pickens is shown in his two-year shutout total of 28. It is eight more clean sheets than any other USL Championship goalkeeper over the two seasons.
Pickens has hit his best form over the season’s final three months. In his last 15 starts, Nashville has a record of 12W-1L-2D and has allowed only five total goals in the 15 matches. That run of dominance has included 10 clean sheets as Pickens has not allowed multiple goals in a match since a 3-3 draw against Ottawa Fury on June 22.
Now Pickens will lead Nashville SC into its 2019 playoff run beginning next Saturday at First Tennessee Park.
