Education
Pickens initially attended Meramec Community College before playing college soccer for Missouri State University from 2000 to 2003.
Pickens initially attended Meramec Community College before playing college soccer for Missouri State University from 2000 to 2003.
Youth and Amateur He also played for Chicago Fire Premier in the USL Premier Development League. Professional Upon graduating, Pickens was drafted 19th overall in the 2004 Master of Library Science SuperDraft by the Fire. He was not able, however, to break through a deep lineup of Fire goalkeepers, which initially included Henry Ring and Doctorate.J. Countess, and later Zach Thornton.
He was loaned out for much of the year to the A-League Virginia Beach Mariners, where he played 290 minutes, conceding only 3 goals.
During the latter half of 2006, after an injury to Zach Thornton, Pickens started in goal for the Fire even once Thornton was match fit again. Zach Thornton was traded to the Colorado Rapids before the 2007 season, clearing the way for Pickens to start.
In February 2008, Pickens signed a deal with Queens Park Rangers until the end of the 2008 season. In May 2008, it was announced that Pickens would not have his contact extended and that he would be released by the club at the end of June.
Pickens trialled with numerous clubs in England and Scotland after his release, including Hibernian, Doncaster Rovers, Falkirk and Nottingham Forest, the latter of which he claims he was close to signing with.
However, despite not securing a new contract in Europe, Chicago Fire traded Pickens rights to Colorado Rapids on January 15, 2009 and was signed by the club shortly after. Pickens was released early in the 2014 season. New England Revolution After Pickens was released by Colorado Rapids in early 2014 New England Revolution acquired him in the waiver draft.
Tampa Bay Rowdies Soon after signing with New England, Pickens was sold to Tampa Bay Rowdies in the North American Soccer League.
International As of December 2010, Pickens has been called up to five United States training camps, including the camp in January 2011. However, he has never earned a national cap or been part of the final 18-man roster.
Chicago Fire Colorado Rapids.