MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Nighte Pickering always dreamed of playing professional soccer, something he now does every day.
The Memphis 901 FC forward first kicked a soccer ball at two years old. Growing up, he dominated on every pitch he played on, often competing against kids three or four years older than him.
At age 12, he joined FC Dallas' academy team.
“I think it was a big step for me to go into that academy, because as soon as I moved over there, you could tell the quality is much better," Pickering said.
For the first time, Pickering was playing against guys just as talented, and he was fighting to be picked in the lineup.
“It was a big challenge mentally," Pickering said. "I’ve never experienced it before. I always just expected to play whenever I wanted.”
Pretty quickly, Pickering was impressing, and by 15, he was living in a house with five other FC Dallas products, working at Panera to earn his keep and tapped to train FC Dallas' pro side in the preseason.
“As soon as you hear that call, you’re like, 'Oh wow, this is my chance, I can actually go pro now,'" Pickering said.
By 17, Pickering realized that dream, signing with Memphis 901 FC and becoming the youngest ever player in club history.
Since then, he's become a fixture in the side. Playing in 42 games, scoring seven goals and logging four assists.
“I do definitely feel a big difference since when I came up here when I was a kid," Pickering said. "I do feel like I've grown up here and they’ve taught me a lot because once you jump into the pro game, there’s a lot of different mindsets you need for the game because it’s not just technical, it’s mental too.”
“We feel like we’ve got a good way of poking him at the right time putting him in at the right environment and basically letting him fly," Memphis 901 FC manager Stephen Glass said. "He’s a great young player. He works ever so hard; his body looks like a man already.”
Pickering has played for the U.S. Under 19 team three times, most recently last month as the only player from the USL.
That's not the only place Pickering's talents are being noticed.
“There’s a lot of people that got eyes on him at the minute, a lot of European clubs and MLS clubs, so it’s almost going to be who pulls the trigger first," Glass said. "But as long as he’s here, we can continue his development and try and set him up for what’s next.”
“I’m definitely eyeing Europe or MLS. Whatever it is, I mean, whatever I can to do to get somewhere else," Pickering said. "I’m not in a rush. I'm enjoying being here and helping the team win.”
Pickering and the rest of the 901 FC lads are back in action on Saturday at 3 p.m. when they play at Loudon United and look to snap a three-game losing streak.