*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of November 4, 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of October 11, 2022
Carson Leighann Pickett (born September 15, 1993) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a left back for the Orlando Pride of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). She is an advocate for limb difference awareness and was born without a left forearm and hand.
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.[2][3][4][5] In 2012, she was named Gatorade Girls Soccer Player of the Year for the state of Florida,[6] and 2012, Florida Times-Union First Coast Player of the Year.[7] Pickett was born without a left forearm and hand, a fact many reporters have highlighted throughout her career.[8] 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.[9]
Pickett was selected by Seattle Reign FC as the fourth overall pick of the 2016 NWSL College Draft.[12] 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."[13] She made her debut for the club during its season opener against Sky Blue FC on April 17.[14]
She returned for second and third loan spells during the 2018–19 W-League and 2019–20 W-League seasons.[17][18] On February 23, 2020, Pickett had her first career multi-goal game when she scored twice in a 5–0 win over Canberra United.[19] Pickett was named as the team's player of the year for the 2019–20 season.[20]
Orlando Pride, 2018–2020
In January 2018, Pickett and Christine Nairn were acquired by the Orlando Pride in a trade that sent Steph Catley to Seattle.[21] Pickett played in nineteen of twenty-four matches (including sixteen starts) for an Orlando side that finished seventh in the league.[22][23]
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.[24][25] However, on June 22, Orlando withdrew from the tournament following positive COVID-19 tests among both players and staff.[26]
Loan to Apollon Ladies, 2020
In August, having been unable to feature for Orlando Pride, Pickett moved to Cypriot First Division club Apollon Ladies on loan until November.[27] She never made an appearance for the team.
North Carolina Courage, 2021–2022
On February 4, 2021, North Carolina Courage acquired Pickett in a trade with Orlando in exchange for the playing rights to Jodie Taylor.[28] 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.[29][30]
Racing Louisville, 2023–2024
In January 2023, Racing Louisville FC acquired Pickett and fellow North Carolina Courage defender Abby Erceg in exchange for Emily Fox.[31] Pickett signed a three-year contract with Racing through the 2025 season.[32]
Orlando Pride, 2024–
Pickett returned to the Orlando Pride on August 16, 2024, in a trade for $75,000 in allocation funds to Louisville.[33]
International
Pickett has represented the United States on the under-17[34] and under-23 national teams.[35]
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.[36][37]
Advocacy
In recent years, Pickett has become a significant advocate for limb difference awareness. In a 2020 interview for CBSSports.com, Pickett said,
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.[38]
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,
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.[38]
Personal life
Pickett was previously in a relationship with Racing Louisville FC teammate and former New Zealand international Abby Erceg.[39]
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