
Carson Pickett: Learning and Leading
Entering the 2016 NWSL College Draft, Seattle Reign FC had a rather big need to fill. Defender Steph Cox had announced her retirement just a few months prior, and the club needed a left back to groom for the future and eventually play the position Cox had locked down the past two and a half seasons.
With the fourth overall pick in the draft, the club’s highest ever pick at the time, there would no doubt be plenty of options for Seattle Reign FC head coach and general manager to pick from. Ultimately, the team selected defender Carson Pickett out of Florida State University.
An NCAA Champion with the Seminoles, Pickett was a left back known for her ability to cross into the box, similar to the skills Cox put on display each week in the NWSL. Having played at a perennial college soccer powerhouse, expectations and pressure were nothing new to Pickett. However, it was a little different at the professional level.
“It was obviously intimidating coming from college soccer where you could be one of the best on your team, a full-time starter, and you transition back to the low man on the totem pole,” said Pickett. “It feels like you go back to your freshman year of college. You just have to gain the respect of your teammates, and to be fair, my teammates here were amazing. They brought me in under their wings.”

Pickett would go on to have a successful rookie season in 2016. Playing in 15 matches, and starting eight, at the time Pickett had the second most appearances of any Reign FC rookie since midfielder Christine Nairn started all 22 matches in her 2013 rookie campaign. Pickett’s crossing ability was also on display, as she notched the assist on forward Beverly Yanez’s game-winning goal against the Houston Dash in the final match of the season.
Heading into 2017, Pickett’s goals were to strengthen her mental game, and of course her skills as an outside back. Luckily for her, the exact player she was brought in to emulate joined the coaching staff. Cox came on board as an assistant coach specifically to work with the backline. It was almost impossible for Pickett to believe the opportunity ahead of her.
“I always saw her play for Seattle Reign, but never thought I would actually meet her because she was done right before I came,” said Pickett. “It’s been an honor, like most things here. From texting back and forth, or emailing late at night before a game, or even clips that she’s helping me with, she’s been able to help me so much to grow my game this year.”

The experience has been invaluable for Pickett to learn from. Picking up tips and tricks from someone who played her position at the highest level for the U.S. women’s national team isn’t something every player receives in their playing careers.
“Having someone who played in my exact same position helps differently from someone who played center back because it’s obviously very different than someone who plays outside back,” said Pickett. “Knowing that she played left back is such a boost of confidence for me, because in every scenario she knows exactly what I’m talking about. That has helped so much, and I’m so happy she’s here.”

Similar to how Cox is mentoring her, Pickett has looked to be a mentor for this season’s crop of rookies: defenders Maddie Bauer and Kristen McNabb and forward Katie Johnson. Pickett made a point on the first day of camp to introduce herself and make sure they knew she was available as a resource.
“I can tell you exactly who spoke to me on my first day with the club, so I wanted them to know that I would be there and if they had any questions, to always ask,” said Pickett. “It’s nice to hear it from someone who was just a rookie, instead of someone who’s 28 and had been here for a while. It’s a little different perspective.”
Be it asking about a drill or asking where to get a great cup of coffee in the city, Pickett is more than willing to answer any questions they may have. The defender feels it’s part of her nature to help, and it’s something she’s been doing since her days at Florida State.
“I don’t know from other people’s perspectives, but I definitely like to help,” said Pickett. “In college, I always liked to go to the freshmen the first day just because it’s so intimidating coming in, and it’s nice to have that one older player who can help you and show you the ropes. You come in with no idea and you’re so blindsided that you’re like ‘I have no idea what I’m about to go through.’”

Pickett has started in 17 matches this season, and has been enjoying how competitive the NWSL has been in her sophomore season. After spending the offseason focused being mentally strong, Pickett is ready for the challenge that lies ahead as the team enters the final stretch of the season pushing for a playoff spot.
“I love being competitive and that’s just one of my favorite things, I always want to win,” said Pickett. “[The standings] being so close honestly helps our team because you can’t ever relax. Every play matters, and that’s been our focus this year. Coming back and proving a point this year was our main focus. I think we’re doing that so far, and we’ve got to continue that because every game matters.”
