QPR America! Juergen Sommer in at Colorado Rapids...Pickens's QPR Future After This Season

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[As always, all the rest of the QPR News at QPR Report

Yanks Abroad/Chad Winger - FORMER FIRE KEEPER PICKENS JOINS HOOPS
Chad Winger - Friday, February 8, 2008
Championship team Queens Park Rangers have completed the signing of free agent goalkeeper Matt Pickens.
Pickens, 25, who refused overtures from Chicago Fire after his deal expired on December 31st, also trialed with Norwich City and Preston North End before settling with the Londoners.
"Pickens has joined us until the end of the season," a spokesperson for QPR Press Officer Ian Taylor confirmed to YA. "He performed well in a brief showing for us, and he will now be with us until June."
"Both parties will evaluate a potential extension after the season."
Pickens, who will attempt to unseat incumbent keeper Lee Camp at Loftus Road, appeared in 45 matches for Chicago, 13 of which were shutouts. Yanks Abroad

Colorado Rapids
The Colorado Rapids announced today that JUERGEN SOMMER has been named the team’s Director of Soccer and GARY SMITH has been added to the club as an Assistant Coach.
In his newly-created position, Sommer will work closely with the coaching staff and General Manager Charlie Wright on scouting, the Rapids youth academy, and operational aspects of the club in accordance with MLS rules and guidelines. The Rapids will also see the benefits of Sommer’s addition, as he will work directly with the first team goalkeepers...
“Juergen’s and Gary’s backgrounds as coaches and players will prove to be valuable assets to our team and our business,” said Rapids Managing Director Jeff Plush.
“With the contributions they will make to our on-pitch performance as part of our technical staff, we are a better club with their additions. As importantly, both are quality individuals who are committed to helping us reach our stated goal of becoming a premier team.”
A former NCAA Goalkeeper of the Year, Sommer has spent the last two years working as a volunteer assistant coach at his alma mater, Indiana University. He also has recently served as the goalkeeper coach for the U.S. Men's National Team. Sommer earned 10 international caps with the U.S. National Team from 1990 to 1998. Following his playing career at Indiana, Sommer signed with Luton Town of the English First Division in 1991. He led Luton Town to the FA Cup semifinals in 1993 and was named the English goalkeeper of the year that season.
In 1995, he became the first American goalkeeper to play in the English Premier League when he suited up for Queens Park Rangers. Sommer returned to the U.S. and played in the MLS from 1998-2002 with the Columbus Crew and New England Revolution. He played 54 games in his MLS career, making 249 saves. Sommer was named to the All-Star team his final year in MLS. While with the Revolution, he served as a volunteer assistant coach at Harvard University. Sommer was the 1990 NCAA adidas Goalkeeper of the Year and led the 1988 IU team to an NCAA Championship.
Smith comes to the Rapids with ten years of experience as a professional player and full-time coach in the English FA. A UEFA “A” badge holder, he recently served as the reserve team coach for English Premier League’s Watford Football Club. Smith’s background also includes coaching with Wycombe Wanderers Football Club and Wimbledon Football Club, both located in London, England, throughout the past decade. Colorado Rapids

Chicago Fire's USA Goalie, Matt Pickens Joins QPR

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[As QPR's supposed interest in Matt Pickens was first reported on QPR Report a few days ago...! Pickens signing has now been confirmed by the club.]

QPR Official Site - AMERICAN KEEPER SIGNS
Queens Park Rangers Football Club are delighted to confirm the signing of American goalkeeper Matt Pickens.
The 25 year-old custodian has joined the R's on a short-term contract until June 2008.
Pickens, whose contract at MLS side Chicago Fire expired at the end of December, expressed his delight at the move, commenting: "It's a big challenge for me.
"I've heard a lot about the tradition here. The Club has an extensive history and it is a big privilege for me to be here.
"I am here to add competition for places in the goalkeeping department. I'm not the kind of goalkeeper who will be content with being a number two, but we'll have to wait and see what happens."
The US stopper, who measures in at 6'3'', believes a move to the UK could prove to be the launch-pad for his international career, adding: "I've been in two squads recently, but I didn't feel I was getting a real shot at it over there.
"Moving to QPR could enhance my chances and I am relishing the challenge that lies ahead." QPR

See Earlier:
US Goalkeeper Supposedly Joins QPR

Pickens Leaving Chicago.

Pickens Reportedly Saying He's Signed With QPR.

"Ambitious QPR Could Be A Fit For Pickens"

QPR Reportedly Sign US Goalkeeper

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REMINDER THAT MOST STORIES ARE NOT PLACED HERE BUT JUST ON QPR REPORT .


US Goalkeeper Supposedly Joins QPR-
QPR have supposedly signed 25 year old MLS US goalie, Matt Pickens. He was trialing with Norwich and Preston.

Chicago Tribune Blog - Pickens joins Queens Park Rangers
Matt Pickens has signed with Queens Park Rangers of the Championship, according to a source with the Fire. Pickens was out of contract with the Fire and spent the last few weeks in England on trial with different clubs.
With Pickens gone, the remaining goalkeepers on the Fire roster are Jon Busch and Nick Noble. The Fire recently drafted Tulsa goalkeeper Dominic Cervi with the No. 12 pick in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft, though he has yet to sign with the team. Report

Chicago Fire Official Site - Matt Pickens Profile MLS Experience ....
International
Invited by former Fire head coach and U.S. MNT Interim Head Coach Bob Bradley to participate in his first national team training camp during January and February 2007 in advance of international friendlies against Denmark (Jan. 20) and Mexico (Feb. 7).... Complete Profile

Also: Wikipedia/Pickens Profile

Also: Recent Q&A with Matt Pickens