If that phone call comes again from the U.S. national team, she's going to be ready. To this day, Carson prefers to do her own hair rather than leave it to anyone else. She isn't used to hiding. And I had never been called into a full sized national team. She spent a lot of her childhood in hospitals, suffering from bad asthma and allergies, constantly afraid her lungs would close. I like to compare it to if something in the news happens and you just don't put it on the news, no one is going to find out. Swimming freestyle in the last leg of a relay, Carson entered the pool with her team trailing by more than a full length. Height. She made up the deficit and touched the wall first for the win. Who is the player of the year in every women's college basketball conference? "This was the club that believed that I could be good enough," she says. And so that was really important for me just to kind of realize that everyone's journey is different. WebCarson Pickett Soccer Player #146887 Most Popular Boost Birthday September 15, 1993 Birthplace Spartanburg , SC Age 29 years old Birth Sign Virgo About American soccer 2. Maybe it's internal, mental, anything like that. She sat across from Pepper Persley, a 11-year-old sports journalist who has also interviewed the likes of Michelle Obama and Chadwick Boseman. She was always just happier with what she was born with. Her friend Joseph Chiafair remembers a game when Carson got whistled for a hand ball. 50 years ago, people like me weren't able to do what they love. But I'm able to play soccer. To everyone's surprise, newly signed defender Carson Pickett said, "I've got one. Lynn Williams said that she thinks it would be really awesome for us to go over there and support them. With that hand, she shattered a glass and pinched her father -- "She'd laugh hysterically and then take it off," says Mike. She'd come asking -- her friends were doing it -- and they'd gone along with it. And you should be doing the same for the younger girls. Pickett has become an integral part of her club; she was named to the 2021 NWSL First-Team Starting XI and was a finalist for 2021 Defender of the Year. All right. in disbelief. teachers in their mid-20s, making $19,000 a year. Birthplace. CARSON PICKETT: Yeah, so social media, as we all know, especially as women, it can be powerful or it could be terrible. It wasn't made up, I didn't plan it," Pickett said. Whether you know people or not. You could tell she was making people feel comfortable about her arm. Carson Pickett did not make the roster for the USWNT's games against Germany on Nov. 10 and Nov. 13, but she remains on the so-called bubble of the national Pickett began playing football at an early age and helped her school team win three state titles. At tryouts, the girls played well during the small-sided games and the scrimmages, and both the daughters and their fathers were sure they were crushing it. "We cried for the first day since the hospital.". Her contract was for $12,500. ET on CBS. I live with a teammate. And for me, like we just talked about, there hasn't been women's sports much in the news and on TV. Who funds CPR? I'd love to chat with you. The Tidd family wore No. Her freshman year, when the team made it to the College Cup, she was excited when she was chosen as one of the players to talk to reporters. "We booked your ticket. Because I only accepted my arm it felt like while I was on the soccer field, and not in "real life" quote unquote. At 4 a.m., she got up to catch an early flight to Orange County, California. Beyond the soccer field, Pickett would like to make connections in Tallahassee that allow her to do for others what a family of strangers did for her parents on that confusing day nearly two decades ago: reassure them that a disability isn't automatically insurmountable. Can Barca overcome on-field fatigue, off-field chaos to beat Real Madrid in Copa del Rey? #ThatsaW pic.twitter.com/wjlnubWfgc, The girls' dads, two of whom are former players themselves, said to the coaching director: tell you what -- put them all on the C team and we'll coach them ourselves for free. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Commissioner.com is a registered trademark of CBS Interactive Inc. site: media | arena: soccer | pageType: stories | PEPPER PERSLEY: All right. She was at a six day school, as-- in charge, and now she's leading the county office, and things like that. The duo as a partner is much liked by the people and even people are questioning their relationship as they are seen together all the time. History was made Tuesday night when Carson Pickett started for the United States, becoming the first player with a limb difference to appear for the women's national Heck yeah. I'm able to be able to continue to go up and down the line and attack for the full 90 minutes where I might not have been able to do that as much before. So for me, is it's just having the opportunity to grow the game. And I think waiting so long, being 28, it just-- yeah, I didn't think it was going to happen. So, it is challenging, but I do feel like, especially in games, it's the most fit I've been. But it has been it has been an impressive start for you so far. She never wanted that one detail to be what defined her. 16 jersey the next day. So before, I would say I don't want to be known as someone with a disability. The kids who ate orange slices together at U-6 soccer had fulfilled the dream they'd sketched out in back seats and on fields across the south. Personally, that's what I want to do. And she has physical gifts that still set her apart, even as part of one of the best programs in the college game. Pickett made her international debut during a friendly against Colombia and played the full 90 minutes at left-back position. People might look, they might even ask questions, but she is used to explaining. She fits us really well. So I think it's the most important thing. PEPPER PERSLEY: That's really cool, being able to build a connection with your dad, one of the reasons why you started to play sports. All right. WebView the profiles of people named Carson Pickett. No one at her table knew a thing about soccer, or that Carson plays it. "She fits us really well, she trains like a demon. A day later, she confirmed: "I'm starting." The world needs more of that.". At the Makers Conference, seas of influential women walked through the halls. And I think having conversations about it and continuing to be, in my opinion, the best team in the world, as far as the national team goes. And yeah, I called him right away. A new home for Michael Thomas? They shared the same dreams, which can be intense when you're constantly trying out for ODP teams, returning from a tryout together on a five-hour car ride, when two of you had made it and one of you hadn't. Pickett: Yeah, I mean COVID was tough for everyone. I was in my apartment in North Carolina. Carson was the only rookie who didn't get cut. I think my mom and him are my best friends. So just thanking all those people along the way, I think it's really important to acknowledge everyone who comes before you no matter what profession you're in because someone has paved the way for you. Copa del Rey semifinal: Barcelona vs. Real Madrid preview, key players, prediction, Infighting of Women's World Cup faves Spain, France, Canada reveals big issues in the sport. The left back has started nearly every game in her first season with the Courage and has exceeded the expectations of her head coach. Because honestly, no one is going to do it for you. The 28-year-old, who was born without a left forearm and hand, grew up in Florida. PEPPER PERSLEY: Yeah. She wears instead the tattoo her parents allowed her -- three words inscribed on the inside of her right wrist that reveal more about who she is and how she ended up putting on a Florida State jersey than an arm that isn't there. Considering everything we've gone through collectively, it feels like we're just coming back. By Drew Weisholtz. And seeing them in positions today, my dad is an incredible soccer coach, and my mom is a badass. / CBS News. Are PSG better off without Neymar in big games? Though Treasure and Mike knew it was unlikely that Carson would see the field at all during the friendlies, they flew to Denver anyway, just so they could experience it with her. The same year, while playing for the Brisbane Roar against the Western Sydney Wanderers, she scored her first goal as a professional. Hayley Flynn was the first one called into a youth national team -- then Kylie got called in, then Annie. Ahead of that match there was a really significant moment of solidarity during the anthem, and Chicago players have gone on-record saying that moving forward, they're not trying to be exploited in showing support to Casey Krueger, and starters who do want to participate in the anthem to exercise their right to protest will still be doing so. "She watched so much game film," says Mike. The training environment, if there's a game on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, no matter what, you're training just as hard nearly every day. Truly inspiring. The photo has once again gone viral on various social media platforms. I'm able to do something I love. Carson, leader of the defense, also started their attacks: she led the team in assists with 14 -- the second most in school history. That's a battle sometimes you have to fight on your own. Pickett still declines to wear a prosthesis on or off the field. New era in South America? She talked about the little boy who came up to her after a game whose arm matched her own, the happiness in his eyes when he realized that her arm was like his, and how the picture the boy's mother snapped of the pair arm-bumping went viral. All right. But there were some really mean comments. "I waited and waited, and it was hard sometimes because all my friends would go to camp except for me," says Carson. In 2016, Carson was selected fourth overall in the NWSL college draft by the Seattle Reign. Pittsburgh currently has Kenny Pickett as the face of the franchise and needs to make space behind him. This form was rewarded with a call up to the national squad. So I want to start with--. And as I'm sitting here in a room full of so many powerful women who have changed the world already, I'm just inspired. CARSON PICKETT: Yeah, so this one is close to my heart obviously. For seven years as a professional, she had consistently started, played well and proven herself in the NWSL. But during the kickoff, all the Courage players ran over to Chicago's side in what was a supportive moment of protest, was there discussion ahead of the match about potentially doing that? I've only ever been on teams that have run after [practice], and at that point you know you don't have to bring quality. teacher coaches all the things (and drives the buses that carry the teams). @Cars_Pickett16 is the FIRST player with a limb difference to play in a USWNT game! Individual training is definitely tough, and there's just no way you can get to game fitness, in my opinion. Spartanburg, South Carolina, United States. "Every time, we'll cheer on Carson and she always can hear us, and she came over in that instance and we were able to take that picture," Tidd said. Looking ahead to OL Reign, what's the preparation like during the international window ahead of this next match? Not a single goal allowed. I love that. But if she defined herself by what she does not have that others do, or by what she cannot do that others can, she would not have been on that road trip in the first place. They weren't able to express themselves through sports. At dinner that night, tablemates were assigned at random. Accessibility She's a big deal. And what do you want to leave this audience with? I might have to follow up with you about that. "It was the elephant in the room," says team captain Abby Erceg. CARSON PICKETT: I think this is a little bit difficult for me sometimes because a little background story, I was asked to go to-- in Orlando when I played there, we went to the Children's Hospital a lot. I just think it's getting back to like the fundamentals, it's not like as dramatic as everyone thinks it is. It was like, ok, she's really cool. They've pushed me, they've cried with me, they've probably cried behind closed doors. Pickett celebrates the USA's 2-0 victory against Colombia. Maybe we don't always see that battle, and maybe we don't always see that someone is missing a leg or an arm. Not only can a girl with one arm learn to tie her shoes, she can lace up cleats and take the field for the No. He's one of my best friends. Eight-year-old Carson had the fourth leg, and they were nervous for her. teacher quickly realized he couldn't do basketball demos, couldn't toss, couldn't catch. Pickett:Yeah, I mean, we've had some dominant performances this year. And it's super important to show out and show up for girls and women who are living their dreams playing sports. Or was that something more reactive? A photo of soccer player Carson Pickett fist-bumping a little fan has gone viral on social media. Were they talking about Carson? Girls shouldn't be playing with boys, he said -- girls, in fact, should not be playing at all. But not to be cliche, but you just got to keep going. Carson played every minute and attacked up the left wing. And, with Riley out of the picture, the league -- and the athletes -- continued forward. After a 1-2-1 start to the season, Carson Pickett and the North Carolina Courage are looking to get back to winning ways on Saturday as the NWSL returns from international break with a matchup against OL Reign. "She's my biggest hero. And I definitely didn't have anyone to look up to that had a limb difference. The tiny-private school kid who went to college an easy drive away was now headed to the other side of the country. In high school, Carson went on to score 150 goals and had 152 assists. Pickett was born without a left arm. "Honestly, she's a much better all-around player than I thought," admitted head coach Paul Riley. "It's funny to say that because she doesn't have an arm, but to be left-footed and to be fast is a big advantage, in women's soccer especially.". So being 28 years old, not once besides if it was a soccer picture did I want to show my arm, and nice clothes, and nice events, and things like that. Against Spain, the U.S. lost 2-0. Because that's what athletes like to do. She was selected asthe fourth overall pickin that year's NWSL College Draft. She described on stage the realization that she wanted to be more out there, to not back away from her own story, to use social media to help others feel more confident: "So, I walked into my roommate's room and I was like, 'Can you come take a picture of me with my arm out? Their daughter had been born without a left arm below the elbow. I feel like when we did get back with a team, and start training -- you could have done as much fitness as you possibly could -- and still not have been game ready. I thought I'd done everything I could do and it made me feel like I must not be good at soccer after all. WebCarson Pickett Soccer Player #146887 Most Popular Boost Birthday September 15, 1993 Birthplace Spartanburg , SC Age 29 years old Birth Sign Virgo About American soccer We could be the best players. If soccer was the sport she was destined to pursue, it was as much because of her abilities as her disability. Learn More. She was a master of the set piece, thanks to those hours staying after practice to hit balls. Today she can freely joke about her arm and proudly post pictures on Instagram. Pickett made her international debut during a friendly against Colombia and played the full 90 minutes at left-back position. Soccer might seem a natural fit for someone with one arm, but she settled on it only after trying all the other sports her friends played growing up. All right. California Consumer Limit the Use of My Sensitive Personal Information, California Consumer Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Over the next 10 years, doctors would make her three more prosthetics. And so I realized as I got older being an only child as well that they were my best friends and they were my role models for sure. This marked the beginning of Carson's shift in perspective. I know that there's so much we have to look forward to. We could be the best athletes. So I'm glad that got a round of applause. And I realized that I started to play soccer because I loved it, not for any certain opportunities that were going to fulfill me for a certain amount of time. I have no idea why, but they're a good team. Treasure is now director of secondary education for Clay County, Florida, and she stepped out of her office to take the call -- she gasped "Whaaat?!" You can catch the match from Sahlen's Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Parkin Cary, North Carolina, at 4 p.m. With COVID having such an impact, would you say that maybe there is still a lag or transitional period for players getting back to a comfortable competitive standard? Baby Carson figured out a way to hold her bottle, figured out a way to crawl on her own -- to the point that, when doctors at the Shriners Hospital tried to equip 6-month-old Carson with a prosthesis, she would crawl just a small distance, stop, pull off the prosthetic appendage and throw it across the floor before continuing on her way. "Whoever didn't make it would cry the whole way home," says Mike. But you're really vulnerable when you put a picture up on Instagram and people comment things that aren't nice. And sometimes, they're not able to help me because they don't have one arm. One was the day she was born, the tears products of shock and uncertainty. She could also attack -- she still loves to go forward and can send in a deadly-accurate ball. And I think that we all can learn from that and have grace for ourselves. But this team is so fit, and I think the coolest part is that they run before practice, like before the training starts, the first thing they do is run. So any way that I can, I would just love to support all of our teammates, all the girls in this league, because I do feel like we're one big family no matter what happens. She doesn't have anything against them, doesn't look down on anyone who does take advantage of how far prosthetics have come functionally and cosmetically. When Carson Facetimed her dad, he was bereft of his usual motivational phrases -- he just beamed at her. Within a week, Mike went to work at school with his arm tied behind his back because he wanted to understand what the world would be like for his daughter. Then there was soccer: at age six, she'd started playing with a co-ed team on the field a hundred yards from her house where they now lived near Jacksonville, Florida. CARSON PICKETT: Yeah, so I was born into a very athletic family. 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