Podcast – Hello Colorado Rapids fans. On this episode of Memories From Toronto, we speak to goalkeeper Matt Pickens.
Red speaks to the beard about his soccer journey that led him to Colorado Rapids. We talk about how the club assembled and established that formidable defense. Pickens gets real on Gary Smith and the club politics during that time.
We then talk about that playoff run. There’s the extra time and penalty shootout at Columbus Crew in the second leg. The Eastern Conference Final vs San Jose. And of course the MLS Cup Final. The freezing cold.
Then it all comes crashing down. Pickens discusses how that team got broken up and how they all went their separate ways. Matt talks about his path to coaching and reuniting with Smith.
You can listen to previous episodes of Memories From Toronto where we interview Marvell Wynne, Kosuke Kimura, Omar Cummings, Paul Bravo, Jeff Plush, Drew Moor, Mac Kandji, and Steve Guppy.
About the hosts:
Matt Pollard is the Managing Editor of Burgundy Wave, having overseen the site’s move to being independent in April 2023. He moved to Denver in 2015 and has covered the Rapids since 2016. An engineer and environmentalist by day, when he’s not watching or writing about soccer, he’s hiking or skiing in the mountains. He also writes for Last Word on Sports, covering the USMNT.
Mark Goodman, known as Rapids Rabbi or Soccer Rabbi, lived in Colorado from 2011-2018. He became an MLS Sicko after seeing Lee Nguyen of the New England Revolution pull off some silky moves at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. He’s a professional rabbi during the day and the author of the well regarded Backpass series, which started at Burgundy Wave. He watches the Pids from a far, having moved to Pittsburgh. He also covers the Pittsburgh Riverhounds of the USL Championship for Pittsburgh Soccer Now.
Thank you for reading Burgundy Wave. Support us via our Patreon starting at $5/month. You can also make a one-time contribution via Tip Jar. We’re always looking for new talent. Let us know if you’re interested in covering Colorado Soccer.
Spencer Baldwin 