Carson Pickett

Raised in Fleming Island on the northeastern coast of Florida near Jacksonville, Pickett attended St. Johns Country Day School and won 3 state championships with the soccer team.{{cite web|title=Carson Pickett|url=http://www.seminoles.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=209574210|publisher=Florida State University|access-date=March 28, 2016|archive-date=April 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160409154410/http://www.seminoles.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=209574210|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|last1=Miller|first1=Brian|title=FSU's Carson Pickett: Attitude key to overcoming disabilities|url=http://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/2015/07/14/fsus-carson-pickett-attitude-key-overcoming-disabilities/30160735/|publisher=Tallahassee Democrat|access-date=March 28, 2016|date=July 14, 2015}}{{cite web|last1=Hays|first1=Graham|title=Attitude sets FSU's Carson Pickett apart|url=https://www.espn.com/espnw/news-commentary/story/_/id/8427622/espnw-attitude-sets-florida-state-seminoles-carson-pickett-apart|publisher=ESPN|access-date=March 28, 2016|date=September 29, 2012}}{{cite web|last1=Woods|first1=Mark|title=First Coast soccer player with disability still flying toward her goal|url=http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2011-10-29/story/first-coast-soccer-player-disability-still-flying-toward-her-goal|publisher=The Florida Times Union|access-date=March 28, 2016|date=October 29, 2011}} In 2012, she was named Gatorade Girls Soccer Player of the Year for the state of Florida,{{cite web|last1=Rohrbach|first1=Ben|title=Florida Girls POY: Carson Pickett|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/high-school/player-of-the-year/post/_/id/8045/florida-girls-hoop-poy-carson-pickett|publisher=ESPN|access-date=March 28, 2016|date=May 22, 2012}} and 2012, Florida Times-Union First Coast Player of the Year.{{cite web|last1=King|first1=Francine|title=All-First Coast Girls Soccer: Carson Pickett's charges often found back of net|url=http://jacksonville.com/sports/high-schools/2012-04-10/story/all-first-coast-girls-soccer-carson-picketts-charges-often|publisher=The Florida Times-Union|access-date=March 28, 2016|date=April 10, 2012}} Pickett was born without a left forearm and hand, a fact many reporters have highlighted throughout her career.{{Cite news|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/reign/for-seattle-reign-rookie-carson-pickett-first-glance-may-be-deceiving/|title=For Seattle Reign rookie Carson Pickett, first glance may be deceiving|date=2016-04-15|work=The Seattle Times|access-date=2018-06-07|language=en-US}} Her condition was the subject of a viral Instagram photo during the 2019 season. The photo showed her "fist-bumping" a 2-year-old boy who was also born without a left forearm and hand, with both using their left arms to do so.{{cite web|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/gone-viral/os-ne-carson-pickett-joseph-tidd-fist-bump-20190723-ujdkfpqwxfhapgrsvug4av7gfu-story.html |title='Lucky fin' fist bump with Orlando Pride player goes viral |first=Joe Mario |last=Pedersen |newspaper=Orlando Sentinel |date=July 23, 2019 |access-date=July 28, 2019}}

File:Carson vs BC Eagles (11127469715).jpg

Pickett attended Florida State University from 2012 to 2015, where she played soccer for the Florida State Seminoles and was a four-year starting defender. In 2014, she led the Seminoles to their first NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship anchoring a defense that allowed no goals throughout the tournament.{{cite web|title=Reign Add Left Back, Defensive Depth in 2016 NWSL Draft|url=http://www.sounderatheart.com/seattle-reign/2016/1/15/10776444/reign-add-left-back-defensive-depth-in-2016-nwsl-draft|publisher=Sounder at Heart|access-date=March 28, 2016|date=January 15, 2016|archive-date=May 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516080310/https://www.sounderatheart.com/seattle-reign/2016/1/15/10776444/reign-add-left-back-defensive-depth-in-2016-nwsl-draft|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|last1=Hays|first1=Graham|title=FSU's Carson Pickett The Picture Of Determination|url=https://www.espn.com/espnw/news-commentary/story/_/id/13468674/florida-state-seminoles-carson-pickett-picture-determination|publisher=ESPN|access-date=March 28, 2016|date=August 19, 2015}}

Pickett was selected by Seattle Reign FC as the fourth overall pick of the 2016 NWSL College Draft.{{cite web|title=Florida State defender Carson Pickett headlines Seattle Reign 2016 NWSL Draft class|url=http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/reign/florida-state-defender-carson-pickett-headlines-seattle-reign-2016-nwsl-draft-class/|publisher=The Seattle Times|access-date=March 28, 2016|date=January 15, 2016}} Of the selection, Reign FC head coach Laura Harvey said, "Pickett is a player that we have been tracking closely for a long time. We were hoping she would still be available with our pick in the first round, so the choice to select her was an easy one. We think she will be a valuable addition to our squad during the upcoming season."{{cite web|title=SEATTLE SELECTS CARSON PICKETT 4th OVERALL IN THE 2016 NWSL COLLEGE DRAFT|url=https://medium.com/@ReignFC/seattle-selects-carson-pickett-4th-overall-in-the-2016-nwsl-college-draft-58c42c7dcb62|publisher=Seattle Reign FC|access-date=March 28, 2016|date=January 15, 2016}} She made her debut for the club during its season opener against Sky Blue FC on April 17.{{cite web|last1=Ruiz|first1=Don|title=Reign opens season with surprising loss|url=http://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/soccer/mls/sounders-fc/sounders-insider-blog/article72380527.html|publisher=The News Tribune|access-date=April 18, 2016|date=April 17, 2016}}

In October 2017, Pickett was loaned to Brisbane Roar for the 2017–18 W-League.{{cite web|url=https://www.brisbaneroar.com.au/news/signings-american-duo-don-brisbane-orange|title=Roar Women add talented American duo|publisher=Brisbane Roar|date=21 October 2017|access-date=October 21, 2017|archive-date=October 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171022033319/https://www.brisbaneroar.com.au/news/signings-american-duo-don-brisbane-orange|url-status=dead}} She scored her first professional goal on November 10, 2017, in the Roar's 1–0 win over Western Sydney Wanderers.{{Cite web|url=https://www.w-league.com.au/news/brisbane-roar-edge-wanderers-thanks-pickett-goal|title=Brisbane Roar edge Wanderers thanks to Pickett goal|website=Westfield W-League|language=en|access-date=2018-11-30|archive-date=April 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210408115103/https://www.w-league.com.au/news/brisbane-roar-edge-wanderers-thanks-pickett-goal|url-status=dead}}

She returned for second and third loan spells during the 2018–19 W-League and 2019–20 W-League seasons.{{Cite web|url=https://www.brisbaneroar.com.au/player/carson-pickett|title=Carson Pickett|website=Brisbane Roar|language=en|access-date=2019-02-09|archive-date=February 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209232437/https://www.brisbaneroar.com.au/player/carson-pickett|url-status=dead}}{{cite web |title=Pickett returns for third season in Brisbane orange |url=https://www.brisbaneroar.com.au/news/pickett-returns-third-season-brisbane-orange |website=Brisbane Roar FC |date=November 2019 |language=en}} On February 23, 2020, Pickett had her first career multi-goal game when she scored twice in a 5–0 win over Canberra United.{{cite web |title=Roar smash Canberra to keep alive top four hopes |url=https://www.w-league.com.au/news/brisbane-roar-v-canberra-united-match-report-w-league-goals-video-highlights-updates |website=Westfield W-League |access-date=February 24, 2020 |archive-date=March 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210319182221/https://www.w-league.com.au/news/brisbane-roar-v-canberra-united-match-report-w-league-goals-video-highlights-updates |url-status=dead }} Pickett was named as the team's player of the year for the 2019–20 season.{{cite web |title=Gillesphey is Brisbane's best |url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/football/aleague-english-defender-macaulay-gillesphey-wins-the-gary-wilkins-medal/news-story/1136854106f0d19354719fa1d64169c6 |website=NewsComAu |language=en |date=16 September 2020}}

In January 2018, Pickett and Christine Nairn were acquired by the Orlando Pride in a trade that sent Steph Catley to Seattle.{{Cite web|url=https://www.orlandocitysc.com/post/2018/01/29/pride-bolster-roster-trades-christine-nairn-carson-pickett-and-haley-kopmeyer|title=Pride Bolster Roster in Trades for Christine Nairn, Carson Pickett and Haley Kopmeyer|website=Orlando City SC|language=en|date=2018-01-29|access-date=2019-02-09}} Pickett played in nineteen of twenty-four matches (including sixteen starts) for an Orlando side that finished seventh in the league.{{Cite web|url=http://www.nwslsoccer.com/players/carson-pickett|title=Carson Pickett|website=NWSL Soccer|language=en|access-date=2019-02-09|archive-date=February 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209233635/http://www.nwslsoccer.com/players/carson-pickett|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.nwslsoccer.com/standings?season=2018|title=2018 Standings|website=NWSL Soccer|language=en|access-date=2019-02-09}}

In March 2020, the impending NWSL season was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. An eventual restart was made through a smaller schedule 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup tournament.{{cite web |title=NWSL, CPL delay start of 2020 seasons due to Covid-19 |url=https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/nwsl-cpl-delay-start-of-2020-seasons-due-to-covid-19/ |website=SportBusiness |date=21 March 2020}}{{cite web |title=NWSL announces 2020 Challenge Cup presented by P&G and Secret |url=https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/article/nwsl-announces-2020-challenge-cup-presented-by-pg-and-secret |website=www.nwslsoccer.com |access-date=August 20, 2020 |archive-date=November 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101092654/https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/article/nwsl-announces-2020-challenge-cup-presented-by-pg-and-secret |url-status=dead }} However, on June 22, Orlando withdrew from the tournament following positive COVID-19 tests among both players and staff.{{cite web |title=Orlando Pride Statement Regarding 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup Participation |url=https://www.orlandocitysc.com/post/2020/06/22/orlando-pride-statement-regarding-2020-nwsl-challenge-cup-participation |website=www.orlandocitysc.com}}

In August, having been unable to feature for Orlando Pride, Pickett moved to Cypriot First Division club Apollon Ladies on loan until November.{{cite web |title=Pride Defenders Alanna Kennedy, Shelina Zadorsky Loaned to Tottenham, Carson Pickett to Apollon Ladies FC |url=https://www.orlandocitysc.com/post/2020/08/20/pride-defenders-alanna-kennedy-shelina-zadorsky-loaned-tottenham-carson-pickett |website=www.orlandocitysc.com}} She never made an appearance for the team.

On February 4, 2021, North Carolina Courage acquired Pickett in a trade with Orlando in exchange for the playing rights to Jodie Taylor.{{cite web |title=Orlando Pride Acquire Rights to English International Jodie Taylor from North Carolina |url=https://www.orlandocitysc.com/post/2021/02/04/orlando-pride-acquire-rights-english-international-jodie-taylor-north-carolina |website=www.orlandocitysc.com}} Over her two years with North Carolina, Pickett contributed 11 assists, including an NWSL-leading six in 2022. She was twice named to the NWSL Best XI and nominated for NWSL Defender of the Year during her time at North Carolina.{{cite news|url=https://justwomenssports.com/reads/gotham-fc-caprice-dydasco-nwsl-defender-of-year/|title=Gotham FC's Caprice Dydasco Named NWSL Defender of the Year|date=2021-11-16|last=Hruby|first=Emma|website=Just Women's Sports|access-date=2024-06-27}}{{cite news|url=https://equalizersoccer.com/2022/10/27/naomi-girma-named-2022-nwsl-defender-of-the-year/|title=Naomi Girma named 2022 NWSL Defender of the Year|date=2022-10-27|last=Lauletta|first=Dan|website=The Equalizer|access-date=2024-06-27}}

In January 2023, Racing Louisville FC acquired Pickett and fellow North Carolina Courage defender Abby Erceg in exchange for Emily Fox.{{Cite web |title=Racing adds all-league talents Erceg, Pickett via trade |url=https://www.racingloufc.com/news/2023/01/23/racing-adds-all-league-talents-erceg-pickett-via-trade/ |access-date=2023-03-24 |website=Racing Louisville FC |language=en-US}} Pickett signed a three-year contract with Racing through the 2025 season.{{Cite web |title=Pickett signs new multi-year contract with Racing Louisville |url=https://www.racingloufc.com/news/2023/03/13/pickett-signs-multi-year-contract-with-racing-louisville/ |access-date=2023-03-24 |website=Racing Louisville FC |language=en-US}}

Pickett returned to the Orlando Pride on August 16, 2024, in a trade for $75,000 in allocation funds to Louisville.{{cite news|url=https://www.orlandocitysc.com/pride/news/defender-carson-pickett-returns-to-orlando-pride-following-trade-with-racing-louisville|title=Defender Carson Pickett returns to Orlando Pride following trade with Racing Louisville |date=2024-08-16|publisher=Orlando Pride|access-date=2024-08-16}}

Pickett has represented the United States on the under-17{{cite web|title=U.S. U-17 WNT DEFEAT GERMANY U-16S 2–1 IN SUNRISE, FLA.|url=http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2014/03/17/12/51/us-u17-wnt-defeat-germany-u16s-2-1-in-sunrise-florida|publisher=United States Soccer Federation|access-date=March 28, 2016|date=February 2, 2010}} and under-23 national teams.{{cite web|title=THREE GATORS HEAD TO NORWAY WITH U.S. U-23 NATIONAL TEAM FOR FOUR NATIONS TOURNAMENT|url=http://floridagators.com/news/2015/5/22/30674.aspx|publisher=University of Florida|access-date=March 28, 2016|date=May 22, 2015}}

On June 28, 2022, she made her debut for the United States national team against Colombia, becoming the first player with a limb difference to play for the USWNT.{{cite web | url=https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2022/06/international-friendly-uswnt-2-colombia-0-match-report-stats-standings | title=U.S. Women's National Team Downs Colombia 2-0 in Final Preparation Match Ahead of 2022 Concacaf W Championship }}{{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/jun/29/carson-pickett-becomes-first-player-with-limb-difference-to-play-for-uswnt | title=Carson Pickett becomes first player with limb difference to play for USWNT | website=TheGuardian.com | date=June 29, 2022 }}

In recent years, Pickett has become a significant advocate for limb difference awareness. In a 2020 interview for CBSSports.com, Pickett said,{{blockquote|Ever since I got to the pros and seeing how many amazing messages I get sent about how I inspire people, some who aren't even soccer players... [Seeing that] just showed me that I can do so much more than just be a good soccer player, and that I could advocate for something much bigger than soccer.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/how-carson-pickett-teamed-up-with-nike-to-create-one-of-the-worlds-most-accessible-soccer-cleats/ |title=How Carson Pickett teamed up with Nike to create one of the world's most accessible soccer cleats |first=Sandra |last=Herrera |website=CBSSports.com |date=August 3, 2020 |access-date=August 22, 2020}}}}

She worked with Nike to develop the Phantom GT Academy FlyEase boots, designed with a fold-down heel and a wraparound strap closure in place of laces. In the aforementioned interview, she added,{{blockquote| Honestly, my first reaction when I saw the Phantom GT FlyEase was relief. I thought about my younger self and what it would have meant for me if something like this existed when I was growing up. I feel like this boot represents me and anybody else who is unique. FlyEase is very easy for anybody to put on quickly, which I love.}}

Pickett was previously in a relationship with Racing Louisville FC teammate and former New Zealand international Abby Erceg.{{cite web|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/shocked-and-disappointed-former-football-ferns-star-abby-erceg-and-partner-traded-from-north-carolina-courage/WJ3QRGRH7NETJNBAXVSGOPZIBU/|publisher=New Zealand Herald|access-date=2023-11-20|title=Shocked and disappointed: Former Football Ferns star Abby Erceg and partner traded from North Carolina Courage}}

{{updated|November 23, 2024|{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/-/116210/|publisher=Soccerway|access-date=August 4, 2022|title=Carson Pickett profile}}{{cite web |url=https://fbref.com/en/players/61531e4e/Carson-Pickett |title=Carson Pickett Stats, Goals, Records, Assists, Cups and more |publisher=FBref |access-date=August 4, 2022}}}}

{{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

{{updated|match played October 11, 2022}}

Orlando Pride

• NWSL Championship: 2024{{cite news |last=Freeman |first=Clayton |date=November 25, 2024 |title=Champions: Locals Carson Pickett, Morgan Gautrat win NWSL championship with Orlando |url=https://www.jacksonville.com/story/sports/2024/11/25/nwsl-championship-carson-pickett-morgan-gautrat-in-orlando-pride-win/76564352007/ |work=The Florida Times-Union |accessdate=November 29, 2024}}
• NWSL Shield: 2024{{Cite web |last=NWSL |date=2024-10-07 |title=Orlando Pride Claims 2024 NWSL Shield |url=https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/orlando-pride-claims-2024-nwsl-shield-presented-by-carmax |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=NWSL}}

Individual

• NWSL Best XI: 2021,{{cite web |last1=Rantz |first1=Susie |date=November 17, 2021 |title=Three OL Reign players named to NWSL Best XI |url=https://www.sounderatheart.com/seattle-reign/2021/11/17/22754251/ol-reign-nwsl-best-xi-second-le-sommer-fishlock-cook-balcer-huerta |access-date=6 October 2022 |publisher=Sounder at Heart |archive-date=October 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008190220/https://www.sounderatheart.com/seattle-reign/2021/11/17/22754251/ol-reign-nwsl-best-xi-second-le-sommer-fishlock-cook-balcer-huerta |url-status=dead }} 2022{{Cite web |date=November 3, 2022 |title=NWSL Announces Winners of Mastercard Best XI Awards |url=https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/nwsl-announces-winners-of-mastercard-best-xi-awards |access-date=October 25, 2022 |website=NWSL Soccer}}

• List of Florida State University alumni

{{Portal bar|Women's association football|Sports|Biography}}

{{reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{NWSL|carson-leighann-pickett|Carson Pickett}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20160410003415/http://www.ussoccer.com/players/2015/04/24/09/05/carson-pickett Carson Pickett] at U.S. Soccer (archived)
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20160409154410/http://www.seminoles.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=209574210 Carson Pickett] at Florida State Seminoles (archived)
• {{sports links}}

{{Orlando Pride squad}}

{{2017–18 W-League PFA Team of the Season}}

{{2021 NWSL Teams of the Year}}

{{2022 NWSL Teams of the Year}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pickett, Carson}}

Category:Living people

Category:1993 births

Category:American women's soccer players

Category:United States women's international soccer players

Category:Association football players with limb difference

Category:Seattle Reign FC players

Category:Brisbane Roar FC (women) players

Category:National Women's Soccer League players

Category:Women's association football defenders

Category:American LGBTQ soccer players

Category:Soccer players from Florida

Category:Florida State Seminoles women's soccer players

Category:Seattle Reign FC draft picks

Category:Sportspeople from Clay County, Florida

Category:Orlando Pride players

Category:Expatriate women's soccer players in Australia

Category:American expatriate women's soccer players

Category:American expatriate sportspeople in Australia

Category:American expatriate sportspeople in Cyprus

Category:Apollon Ladies F.C. players

Category:North Carolina Courage players

Category:Expatriate women's footballers in Cyprus

Category:21st-century American sportswomen

Category:United States women's youth international soccer players

Category:American disabled sportspeople

Category:Racing Louisville FC players

Category:American LGBTQ sportswomen

Category:LGBTQ people from South Carolina