Bears in the Pros
 
SPRINGFIELD – For the first time in a North American Soccer League (NASL) matchup, two Missouri State men's soccer alums will battle it out in the goal for their professional teams when Matt Pickens of the Tampa Bay Rowdies and Trevor Spangenberg of Puerto Rico FC face each other on Saturday (Sept. 10). Both Pickens and Spangenberg are expected to start in the net.
 
"It's an awesome and exciting experience to see two former players from different generations of Missouri State men's soccer play against each other," commented head coach Jon Leamy. "Missouri State has had a great tradition of goalkeepers continuing their playing career at the professional level. Both of them have worked hard to perfect their craft. We are very proud of them and they have meant a lot to the history of the MSU program."
 
So far this season with Tampa Bay, Pickens has cracked the starting lineup 22 times, tallying 1,980 minutes in the net. He has registered 46 saves on the season and has collected six clean sheets with a 63.0% save-to-shot ratio.
 
Pickens signed his first professional contract with the Chicago Fire in 2004 before joining the Colorado Rapids in 2009 for his longest stint in the MLS. In 2014, he signed with the Tampa Bay Rowdies and has become one of the team's most prominent players.
 
A three-time All-MVC honoree, the 2003 MSU graduate is third all-time in program history in career wins (28) and in career games started in the net (58).
 
Spangenberg has started three games for Puerto Rico FC this season, facing nine shots and making six saves. He has a 66.7% save-to-shot ratio, grabbing two clean sheets in his first season with the club.
 
Spangenberg played a year with Chivas USA (2014) and the New England Revolution (2015) before being picked up by Puerto Rico FC.
 
Playing with the Bears from 2009-13, Spangenberg etched his name into the MSU record book with the most single-season shutouts (11 in 2013), lowest goals against average (0.41 in 2013) and fewest goals allowed (8 in 2013).
 
The match between the two clubs will be available for fans on the Watch ESPN App platform. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CDT.
 
Match Information:
Puerto Rico FC vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies, 6:30 p.m. CDT, Sep. 10
Location: Bayamon, Puerto Rico
Site: Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium
Live Stream (ESPN3)