USL Nashville SC

Nashville SC Keeper Matt PIckens Named USL Championship Player of the Week

Published on May 28, 2019 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Nashville SC News Release


TAMPA - Two matches and 180 minutes of shutout soccer for Nashville Soccer Club keeper Matt Pickens earned the veteran the USL Championship's Player of the Week on Tuesday morning. The honor is Pickens' first as a member of Nashville SC and he joins former Nashville SC forward Brandon Allen as the only Nashville SC recipients of the weekly award. Pickens received 67 percent of the poll conducted by a national panel of independent media representing every USL Championship market.

Along with the two clean sheets, Pickens made six saves in the two matches and had one clearance, one punch and won his only duel. He becomes the third keeper to win the Player of the Week in the USL Championship this season.

The two clean sheets last week give Pickens four in eight starts in 2019, tied for the seventh-most clean sheets in the USL Championship. To add more context, Pickens' eight starts are the fewest of any USL Championship keeper with four or more clean sheets.

As the first signing in Nashville SC history, the MLS Cup-winning veteran Pickens has exceeded all lofty expectations with 18 clean sheets in 39 appearances, allowing just 34 goals, fewer than one per match. The 18 total clean sheets are the most in the USL Championship for any keeper the last two seasons in the league.

In addition to Pickens winning Player of the Week, defender Ken Tribbett was named to the Team of the Week bench for his efforts on defense in the two matches last week. Like Pickens, Tribbett played all 180 minutes of shutout soccer, as he earned his fourth mention on a Team of the Week this season.

Nashville SC will return to action on Wednesday night in U.S. Open Cup action in Murfreesboro at Hayes Stadium at 7:30 p.m. against Charleston Battery. Tickets are available now for $15 to see NSC compete in the U.S.'s prestigious tournament.

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 28, 2019


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