Carson Pickett Becomes First United States Women’s Team Player With A Limb Difference

Carson Pickett has made history by becoming the first player with a limb difference to represent the United States women’s team. 

The defender was born without a left hand and forearm. 

28-year-old Pickett is a left back and plays for the North Carolina Courage and recently made her 100th appearance in the National Women’s Soccer League. She was also named in the league’s best XI for June. 

The defender went viral in 2019 after an image emerged showing Pickett giving an arm bump with a young fan who was also missing part of his left arm. 

On her international debut on Tuesday in a friendly match against Columbia at the Rio Tinto Stadium, Pickett played the whole 90 minutes on the left side of the defence as her side came out 2-0 winners. 

It was the second game against Columbia in recent weeks as both teams are preparing ahead of the World Cup qualifying matches in July. 

An own goal from Manuela Vanegas gave the US the lead before Kelly O’Hara extended their lead to 2-0 in the 77th minute. After that victory, the US are now unbeaten at home for 69 games. 

US coach Vlatko Andonovski praised Pickett after her debut.

Andonovski said: “Carson did very well in training for us in last week and with the management of minutes for Emily Fox that we had, we felt like Carson would be a good replacement, and I'm happy that she was able to perform well for 90 minutes.” 

Pickett took to social media to describe her feelings after making her debut for her country.

She simply tweeted: “Dream come true.” 

Pickett started her senior career playing for Seattle Reign FC before being loaned to Australian outfit Brisbane Roar, where she scored six goals in 37 appearances. She then moved to Orlando Pride and spent another loan spell away, this time at Apollon Ladies. 

She joined the North Carolina Courage in February of 2021 and since then, she has made 25 appearances for the club. 

The US will now look forward to securing their qualification for the next World Cup as they look to win the competition for the third time in a row. 

The next edition of the World Cup will be held next summer in Australia and New Zealand.