Interview With Matt Pickens

With the start of the new site dedicated to the Chicago Fire, goalkeeper Matt Pickens took the time out to answer questions for chicagofiresoccer.teach-nology.com. Here are the Q&A`s.

First off, thank you very much for taking time to answer questions for chicagofiresoccer.teach-nology.com

Coming off a season of ups and downs, how was your experience in your first full year as the Fire’s starting goalkeeper?

I think this year was as challenging as it gets being the #1 GK for my first full season. But if you look at it how I do I think that as much of a roller coaster it was, it did alot for my experience. We went from breaking a Club record for best season start in Fire history to dismissing our coach, hiring another, then finishing the regular season with an 10 game unbeaten streak and losing in semi-final. So for going through all that it just makes me that more experienced the next time anything comes up during a season like this.

With the teams first full year in Toyota Park, is it starting to feel more like home? What was your first reaction to the new facility when you first saw it?

I think the first ever game we had at TP felt like "our" home. And the reason I say that is bc our fans made it known that TP was the home of the Chicago Fire. Some people dont realize how important they are to us. What would be the fun in playing in a stadium full of people that wouldnt get enthusiastic about the game. Having the kind of fans we have on our side with so much energy and dedication makes the defintion of "home" come true for the Chicago Fire.


What was it like to have new international stars come to the team midway through the season? Were you able to learn anything from their experiences?

Having players like Blanco and Wanchope, and even with the hiring of Osorio filled a void on our team midway through the season. They picked us up when we hit rock bottom and brought some new life into our team. Just watching their everyday professionalism was something that I personally picked up through them. They all played/coached at the highest levels in soccer so there definitley was something there you could pick up and put into your game.

With the addition of Blanco and the drawing power that he has, what was the atmosphere like during those consecutive sellouts Toyota Park had towards the end of the season?

Blanco definitley is a huge fan favorite not just amongst the Hispanic crowd but also the American fans we have. Hes an entertainer and when it comes down to it we all really are entertainers. People come to our games to watch us put on a good show and get results. Blanco is fun to watch bc he brings that latin flavor and creativity to our league that in my mind lacks.

What did Juan Carlos Osorio do differently to help the team perform better after he took over? What did he do that helped you as a player performs better?

Juan brought the attention of discipline to our team that we didnt have. The discipline of defending, passing, finishing, and concentration. I already thought our team always put in an honest effort but he helped put in that detail we really needed. One of the other things that I thought he did a good job of was getting the best out of each of us through motivation. He helped us believe in ourselves when we were in a big hole. He would take a problem and have a plan to solve it instead of just identifying a problem and not having a solution.

What was your favorite game of the season and why?

I dont really have one favorite game from this past season. I would have to say every game that we battled for points towards the end of the season were my favorite. Just the meanings and emotions behind those games to get into the playoffs were like no other. I think the last 12 games we were playing with our "backs to the wall" like Juan Carlos would like to say. And he was right bc all those games were like playoff games to us bc if we didnt get some kind of result then we may not have made the playoffs or had a chance to. It was a big mountain to climb and we had to get results in each of those games.

Do you have any specific goals set for next season?

Like every year you set goals at the beginning of the year. I dont set indivdual goals bc I truely believe in soccer being a team sport. We set team goals at the beginning of the year to win 2 trophys and that is the MLS Cup and the US Open Cup. With succeeding those trophys your individual play will take care of itself so that is why I dont set individual goals but team goals.

Considering MLS contracts are not usually worth a huge amount of money, would you consider staying with the Fire if the contract was reasonable? Do you have aspirations to play in Europe? If so, do you plan on going to Europe soon?

I really admire the Fire organization and what they stand for. I feel we have the best group of guys in our locker room in the league and the best front office as well. I think a reasonable contract depends on the individual but yes I would take what a reasonable contract is for my worth and sign with the team. I cant imagine playing for another team other than Chicago in out league. As for Europe I beleive every American soccer player dreams of playing in Europe. If I had the chance to play in Europe I would take it with both hands and run. Just to have played in Europe in your career I think would make you retire with much satifaction. European teams can come knocking at your door anytime so if the time was right and honest I think it could be a real possibility.


You knew this question had to come right? What is your view on new stars such as David Beckham, Cuauhtémoc Blanco, and soon Juan Sebastián Verón coming into the league? Are you excited about the growth that’s happening with MLS being able to attract international stars?




All of the players in the league have to be happy about these kind of caliber players coming into the league. It brings us alot more world exposure and I think the soccer world in Europe is finally looking over the Atlantic at our league with some kind of respect now. So Im for having these type of players coming into our league no matter how much they get paid as long as they help the league in some kind of way. The MLS has done some major things since the league started 11 years ago so I can only imagine that in the next 10 years this league being a major world league.