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If there are any in the United States planning to watch Sunday's QPR vs Southampton game (kick off 4:00 pm London Time which is 11:00 am EST) and want to coordinate viewing the game, feel free to post viewing details here (or email at qprreport@hotmail.com.)
Chicago: In Chicago, for instance, some QPR supporters will be watching at the Grafton Pub and Grille. Watching in the USA: Setanta Sports Details
UPDATE:
Chicago "For Chicago fans transmission will start at 9.30 at Lincoln ave pub. (cdt).a Group of us will be there. Fado says they arent carrying but their info isnt always reliable so re check."
Brooklyn: I'll be there in a One Size shirt from 10:30am... Iona
180 Grand St Brooklyn, NY 11211
- New Haven, CT- match will be shown at The Playwright in Hamden
1232 Whitney Ave, Hamden, CT 06517
Friday, September 12, 2008
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Matt Pickens Released By QPR
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QPR Official Site - QUINTET TO GO
QPR quintet Sean Thomas, Aaron Goode, Andrew Howell, Stefan Bailey and Matt Pickens will be free to leave the Club when their current contracts expire at the end of June.
Thomas, who failed to make a single competitive appearance for the R's, spent time on loan at Bristol City last season, while Goode featured for Wealdstone earlier this campaign.
Howell made his one and only QPR appearance against Northampton Town in the League Cup in August 2006, while tough tackling midfielder Bailey was restricted to just 20 appearances for the R's since signing professional terms during the 2005/06 campaign.
Pickens joined the R's on a short-term contract in February, but was restricted to just a handful of Reserve appearances.
The Club would like to thank all five players for their contribution to QPR and wish them all the best for a successful future. QPR
QPR Official Site - QUINTET TO GO
QPR quintet Sean Thomas, Aaron Goode, Andrew Howell, Stefan Bailey and Matt Pickens will be free to leave the Club when their current contracts expire at the end of June.
Thomas, who failed to make a single competitive appearance for the R's, spent time on loan at Bristol City last season, while Goode featured for Wealdstone earlier this campaign.
Howell made his one and only QPR appearance against Northampton Town in the League Cup in August 2006, while tough tackling midfielder Bailey was restricted to just 20 appearances for the R's since signing professional terms during the 2005/06 campaign.
Pickens joined the R's on a short-term contract in February, but was restricted to just a handful of Reserve appearances.
The Club would like to thank all five players for their contribution to QPR and wish them all the best for a successful future. QPR
Matt Pickens Looks Back at Leaving Chicago Fire, His Season With QPR and His QPR Future
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Chicago Tribune/Luis Arroyave - Ex-Fire goalie Pickens wraps up season in England
On a freezing afternoon in December, Matt Pickens sat inside a restaurant in the West Loop discussing his upcoming season with the Fire. He talked about his chances of being named team captain and he mentioned he was trying to get more teammates to train at Toyota Park in the off-season.
Sure, Pickens still hadn't re-signed with the team at that point, but he was confident he would be signing soon.
That day never came.
Pickens instead signed with England's Queens Park Rangers in February.
"I thought I would be with the Fire," Pickens said. "But I got a good offer from Europe. Offers from Europe don't come often. If I didn't get any offers from Europe, I would [have been] in a Fire jersey this weekend."
Pickens was training with the U.S. national team in January but left camp early to train with Norwich City and then Preston North End—also of the Football League Championship. According to Pickens, both clubs later made him an offer, but not until he was already set to sign with QPR.
The Fire made one final offer the night before January's draft. As he did before the 2007 season when the Fire tried to extend his contract, Pickens declined.
"It was generous," Pickens said of the offer. "I respected that and I told them that. But I had to live a dream."
QPR's season ended Sunday, with the Rangers finishing 14th out of 24 clubs. Pickens was unable to crack the starting lineup in his time with QPR but played three reserve games with the club. He missed the final three weeks of the season after suffering a separated shoulder in practice.
"I knew I would come in as the No. 2 guy," Pickens said. "I was perfectly fine with that. I didn't expect to start.
"I think I played well, but I still haven't proven myself."
Would he like to return to QPR next season?
"I hope so," responded Pickens, whose contract ended after the season. "I think I can play at that level, but we'll see what happens." Chicago Tribune
Chicago Tribune/Luis Arroyave - Ex-Fire goalie Pickens wraps up season in England
On a freezing afternoon in December, Matt Pickens sat inside a restaurant in the West Loop discussing his upcoming season with the Fire. He talked about his chances of being named team captain and he mentioned he was trying to get more teammates to train at Toyota Park in the off-season.
Sure, Pickens still hadn't re-signed with the team at that point, but he was confident he would be signing soon.
That day never came.
Pickens instead signed with England's Queens Park Rangers in February.
"I thought I would be with the Fire," Pickens said. "But I got a good offer from Europe. Offers from Europe don't come often. If I didn't get any offers from Europe, I would [have been] in a Fire jersey this weekend."
Pickens was training with the U.S. national team in January but left camp early to train with Norwich City and then Preston North End—also of the Football League Championship. According to Pickens, both clubs later made him an offer, but not until he was already set to sign with QPR.
The Fire made one final offer the night before January's draft. As he did before the 2007 season when the Fire tried to extend his contract, Pickens declined.
"It was generous," Pickens said of the offer. "I respected that and I told them that. But I had to live a dream."
QPR's season ended Sunday, with the Rangers finishing 14th out of 24 clubs. Pickens was unable to crack the starting lineup in his time with QPR but played three reserve games with the club. He missed the final three weeks of the season after suffering a separated shoulder in practice.
"I knew I would come in as the No. 2 guy," Pickens said. "I was perfectly fine with that. I didn't expect to start.
"I think I played well, but I still haven't proven myself."
Would he like to return to QPR next season?
"I hope so," responded Pickens, whose contract ended after the season. "I think I can play at that level, but we'll see what happens." Chicago Tribune
Saturday, May 3, 2008
QPR's Ex-Chicago Fire Goalie, Matt Pickens
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re Matt Pickens: Chicago Tribune's Luis Arroyave's Soccer Blog Responds to Readers Queries
Since Matt Pickens' contract with QPR was for the remainder of the season, what are the chances of Slim returning to the Fire when his deal is up in June? - Guillermo
"I asked Matt if he might return to the Fire after the QPR season is over and he responded, "I don't think so." He said he hopes he can re-sign with QPR because he likes where the club is going (the new owners are investing a lot more money into the club). I'll have more on Pickens in the Tribune next week." Chicago Tribune Blog
re Matt Pickens: Chicago Tribune's Luis Arroyave's Soccer Blog Responds to Readers Queries
Since Matt Pickens' contract with QPR was for the remainder of the season, what are the chances of Slim returning to the Fire when his deal is up in June? - Guillermo
"I asked Matt if he might return to the Fire after the QPR season is over and he responded, "I don't think so." He said he hopes he can re-sign with QPR because he likes where the club is going (the new owners are investing a lot more money into the club). I'll have more on Pickens in the Tribune next week." Chicago Tribune Blog
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Ex-QPRs in MLS This Weekend - Padula's Columbus Debut
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Crew survive Chivas comeback - Columbus withstands late rally to earn home victory By Nathan Linton / MLSnet.com Staff
COLUMBUS -- After seeing Chivas USA storm back from a two-goal deficit late in the second half, Robbie Rogers' second goal of the game gave the Columbus Crew a wild 4-3 victory against Chivas USA at a cold Crew Stadium on Saturday night.
A 2-1 Crew lead at halftime exploded over the final 20 minutes when Rogers doubled the lead. But Jesse Marsch scored barely a minute later, then Paulo Nagamura tied the game, before Rogers whistled a drive from well outside the area through Brad Guzan's hands in the Chivas goal for the game-winner.
Chivas finished the game with nine men after Marsch and Francisco Mendoza were sent off right after the fourth Crew goal.
Chivas started the game with a couple of key components of their attack, as forwards Ante Razov and Alecko Eskandarian did not make the trip to Columbus due to injury.
Still, Chivas nearly struck first in the 12th minute when a bouncing through ball split the center of the Crew defense. Rookie Keith Savage, making his professional debut, ran on to the ball and would have likely netted his first MLS goal had Crew 'keeper Will Hesmer not charged out of the net and deflected the shot out of bounds.
Lighting problems delayed the game minutes later when several banks of the stadium lights went out, leaving the north end of the field much darker than the south, but after a brief conference both teams decided to continue play.
After the delay Chivas had another good opportunity on goal when Crew midfielder Eddie Gaven received a yellow card for a harsh tackle 25 yards from goal. The Chivas restart was headed back out of the box but defender Jonathan Bornstein hit a lob from 20 yards -- nearly catching Hesmer off his line, overshooting the goal by inches.
In the 25th minute the Crew drew first blood. Rogers raced down the left wing and sent a rolling cross into the middle of the box. Chivas defender Jim Curtin was tracking back to cover Alejandro Moreno and when the two collided referee Ricardo Salazar blew his whistle and pointed to the penalty spot. Guillermo Barros Schelotto stepped to the spot and drove the ball up the center of the goal past a diving Guzan.
The lead didn't last long however. Bornstein played the ball to Savage's feet 25 yards from goal, and the rookie turned and laid the ball off to a streaking Kljestan. He hit a curling shot that rocketed off his foot and never strayed off course, finding the upper right corner of the Crew goal.
Yet only two minutes later the Crew again took the lead. On the counterattack after a pass was broken up in midfield by Brian Carroll, Moreno played the ball into space ahead of Schelotto. Schelotto held the ball for a moment and as Guzan came out of his net, the Argentinean rolled a pass to his left where Moreno had continued his run. He kept his shot low and hard, finding the back of the net for the second time this year for a 2-1 lead in the 35th minute.
After the break, the Crew began to pile on the pressure, and in the 63rd minute nearly struck again. From some 25 yards straight out from goal, Adam Moffat hit a knuckling blast that never rose more than a foot off the ground, but was aimed dead center at the Chivas goal. Guzan seemed to be caught off guard, able only to kick out the shot at the last instant with his left leg.
Columbus finally broke through in the 71st minute. After Rogers made a hustling save to keep the ball inbounds and maintain possession for the Crew he was rewarded. Schelotto found Rogers racing down the left side, barely beating the offside trap. Rogers controlled the ball before slipping it inside Guzan and the near post for a 3-1 Crew lead.
Before Columbus could even finish celebrating the goal Chivas had answered. The Red-and-White beat a Columbus attempt at an offside trap when Paulo Nagumura split the Crew defense and put a pass right into the path of Jesse Marsch, who raced in alone on Hesmer and slotted it home.
Chivas then drew even in the 78th minute. Kljestan slipped the ball square to Nagamura outside the top of the arc, and the Brazilian hit a left-footed curling ball that again beat Hesmer as he dove to his right, flying into the upper corner of the net.
But the Crew took just four minutes to respond yet again. Danny O'Rourke sent a long ball out of the Crew half over a Chivas defender, directly to the chest of Rogers. Again he let fly from long range and the ball sailed right through the hands of Guzan though it was hit almost directly at him and the Crew were in the lead for the third time on the night.
Things got a bit chippy after that however. Mendoza committed a harsh foul right in front of referee Salazar, who immediately reached into his pocket and sent off the Chivas midfielder with a second caution in the game.
Immediately after the restart Kljestan committed another hard foul, and this time Salazar showed a straight red card for the tackle.
This time the way back was too far for Chivas, and for the first time ever Columbus had defeated the 2005 expansion team on their home field.
Nathan Linton is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs...
Chivas USA -- Brad Guzan, Chris Pozniak (Eric Ebert 64), Jim Curtin, Shavar Thomas, Jonathan Bornstein, Sacha Kljestan, Jesse Marsch, Paulo Nagamura, Francisco Mendoza, Keith Savage (Maykel Galindo 46), Atiba Harris (Justin Braun 60).
Substitutes Not Used: Anthony Hamilton, Daniel Paladini, Lance Parker, Claudio Suarez
Columbus Crew -- Will Hesmer, Frankie Hejduk, Chad Marshall, Danny O'Rourke, Gino Padula, Robbie Rogers, Brian Carroll, Adam Moffat (Stefani Miglioranzi 88), Eddie Gaven (Ezra Hendrickson 92+), Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Alejandro Moreno.
Substitutes Not Used: Brad Evans, Andy Gruenebaum, Nicolas Hernandez, Andy Iro, Guilherme So - Columbus/MLS
Also in the MLS:
Could be Dichio vs Beckham Today.MLS
Meanwhile joining Dichio at Toronto: Ex-QPR Loanee, Rohan Ricketts - MLS
Victory for Steve Morrow's FC Dallas - Victory
Still without a Win for John Spencer (Assistant Coach) Houston Dynamos - Winnless
Crew survive Chivas comeback - Columbus withstands late rally to earn home victory By Nathan Linton / MLSnet.com Staff
COLUMBUS -- After seeing Chivas USA storm back from a two-goal deficit late in the second half, Robbie Rogers' second goal of the game gave the Columbus Crew a wild 4-3 victory against Chivas USA at a cold Crew Stadium on Saturday night.
A 2-1 Crew lead at halftime exploded over the final 20 minutes when Rogers doubled the lead. But Jesse Marsch scored barely a minute later, then Paulo Nagamura tied the game, before Rogers whistled a drive from well outside the area through Brad Guzan's hands in the Chivas goal for the game-winner.
Chivas finished the game with nine men after Marsch and Francisco Mendoza were sent off right after the fourth Crew goal.
Chivas started the game with a couple of key components of their attack, as forwards Ante Razov and Alecko Eskandarian did not make the trip to Columbus due to injury.
Still, Chivas nearly struck first in the 12th minute when a bouncing through ball split the center of the Crew defense. Rookie Keith Savage, making his professional debut, ran on to the ball and would have likely netted his first MLS goal had Crew 'keeper Will Hesmer not charged out of the net and deflected the shot out of bounds.
Lighting problems delayed the game minutes later when several banks of the stadium lights went out, leaving the north end of the field much darker than the south, but after a brief conference both teams decided to continue play.
After the delay Chivas had another good opportunity on goal when Crew midfielder Eddie Gaven received a yellow card for a harsh tackle 25 yards from goal. The Chivas restart was headed back out of the box but defender Jonathan Bornstein hit a lob from 20 yards -- nearly catching Hesmer off his line, overshooting the goal by inches.
In the 25th minute the Crew drew first blood. Rogers raced down the left wing and sent a rolling cross into the middle of the box. Chivas defender Jim Curtin was tracking back to cover Alejandro Moreno and when the two collided referee Ricardo Salazar blew his whistle and pointed to the penalty spot. Guillermo Barros Schelotto stepped to the spot and drove the ball up the center of the goal past a diving Guzan.
The lead didn't last long however. Bornstein played the ball to Savage's feet 25 yards from goal, and the rookie turned and laid the ball off to a streaking Kljestan. He hit a curling shot that rocketed off his foot and never strayed off course, finding the upper right corner of the Crew goal.
Yet only two minutes later the Crew again took the lead. On the counterattack after a pass was broken up in midfield by Brian Carroll, Moreno played the ball into space ahead of Schelotto. Schelotto held the ball for a moment and as Guzan came out of his net, the Argentinean rolled a pass to his left where Moreno had continued his run. He kept his shot low and hard, finding the back of the net for the second time this year for a 2-1 lead in the 35th minute.
After the break, the Crew began to pile on the pressure, and in the 63rd minute nearly struck again. From some 25 yards straight out from goal, Adam Moffat hit a knuckling blast that never rose more than a foot off the ground, but was aimed dead center at the Chivas goal. Guzan seemed to be caught off guard, able only to kick out the shot at the last instant with his left leg.
Columbus finally broke through in the 71st minute. After Rogers made a hustling save to keep the ball inbounds and maintain possession for the Crew he was rewarded. Schelotto found Rogers racing down the left side, barely beating the offside trap. Rogers controlled the ball before slipping it inside Guzan and the near post for a 3-1 Crew lead.
Before Columbus could even finish celebrating the goal Chivas had answered. The Red-and-White beat a Columbus attempt at an offside trap when Paulo Nagumura split the Crew defense and put a pass right into the path of Jesse Marsch, who raced in alone on Hesmer and slotted it home.
Chivas then drew even in the 78th minute. Kljestan slipped the ball square to Nagamura outside the top of the arc, and the Brazilian hit a left-footed curling ball that again beat Hesmer as he dove to his right, flying into the upper corner of the net.
But the Crew took just four minutes to respond yet again. Danny O'Rourke sent a long ball out of the Crew half over a Chivas defender, directly to the chest of Rogers. Again he let fly from long range and the ball sailed right through the hands of Guzan though it was hit almost directly at him and the Crew were in the lead for the third time on the night.
Things got a bit chippy after that however. Mendoza committed a harsh foul right in front of referee Salazar, who immediately reached into his pocket and sent off the Chivas midfielder with a second caution in the game.
Immediately after the restart Kljestan committed another hard foul, and this time Salazar showed a straight red card for the tackle.
This time the way back was too far for Chivas, and for the first time ever Columbus had defeated the 2005 expansion team on their home field.
Nathan Linton is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs...
Chivas USA -- Brad Guzan, Chris Pozniak (Eric Ebert 64), Jim Curtin, Shavar Thomas, Jonathan Bornstein, Sacha Kljestan, Jesse Marsch, Paulo Nagamura, Francisco Mendoza, Keith Savage (Maykel Galindo 46), Atiba Harris (Justin Braun 60).
Substitutes Not Used: Anthony Hamilton, Daniel Paladini, Lance Parker, Claudio Suarez
Columbus Crew -- Will Hesmer, Frankie Hejduk, Chad Marshall, Danny O'Rourke, Gino Padula, Robbie Rogers, Brian Carroll, Adam Moffat (Stefani Miglioranzi 88), Eddie Gaven (Ezra Hendrickson 92+), Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Alejandro Moreno.
Substitutes Not Used: Brad Evans, Andy Gruenebaum, Nicolas Hernandez, Andy Iro, Guilherme So - Columbus/MLS
Also in the MLS:
Could be Dichio vs Beckham Today.MLS
Meanwhile joining Dichio at Toronto: Ex-QPR Loanee, Rohan Ricketts - MLS
Victory for Steve Morrow's FC Dallas - Victory
Still without a Win for John Spencer (Assistant Coach) Houston Dynamos - Winnless
Monday, March 24, 2008
Ex-QPR's Gino Padula Signs With Columbus Crew
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Gino Padula signs with Columbus Crew. If he plays, Columbus Crew's first game of the season on Saturday is against Danny Dichio's Toronto FC!
Press Release - Crew Signs Argentine Defender Gino Padula
03/24/08 - Major League Soccer (MLS) Columbus Crew
COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Columbus Crew announced today that it has signed Argentine left back Gino Padula. Per club and league policy, no further terms of the deal were disclosed. Padula will join the Crew upon approval of his P-1 visa work permit.
The 31-year-old Padula trained with the Crew during its recent preseason trip to England and appeared in the club's exhibition match vs. Everton FC on March 7.
"We have been looking for an experienced left back are were able to find one in Gino Padula," said Crew head coach Sigi Schmid. "He is a good technical player with a great deal of experience in the English and French leagues and he adds another veteran presence to our back line."
Padula began his career with Argentine club Atl鴩co River Plate in 1996, before moving to Club Atl鴩co Huracᮠin 1997. In 1998, he moved to Europe to play for Xerez CD in Spain. Following his time with Xerez, Padula played in English football between 1999 and 2006.
His first club in England was Bristol Rovers, and after a short spell there, he went on to Walsall FC where he appeared in 25 games before joining Wigan Athletic in 2000. Padula saw action in six games, scoring one goal for the Latics, before heading to Queen's Park Rangers in 2002. Padula became a cult figure during his time at Loftus Road, where he scored five goals in 90 appearances in all competitions for the Hoops. After his time with QPR, Padula joined Nottingham Forest in 2005, where he made five appearances with the Reds. He most recently played with Montpellier HSC of the French Ligue 2, where he made seven appearances.
Our Sports Central
Gino Padula signs with Columbus Crew. If he plays, Columbus Crew's first game of the season on Saturday is against Danny Dichio's Toronto FC!
Press Release - Crew Signs Argentine Defender Gino Padula
03/24/08 - Major League Soccer (MLS) Columbus Crew
COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Columbus Crew announced today that it has signed Argentine left back Gino Padula. Per club and league policy, no further terms of the deal were disclosed. Padula will join the Crew upon approval of his P-1 visa work permit.
The 31-year-old Padula trained with the Crew during its recent preseason trip to England and appeared in the club's exhibition match vs. Everton FC on March 7.
"We have been looking for an experienced left back are were able to find one in Gino Padula," said Crew head coach Sigi Schmid. "He is a good technical player with a great deal of experience in the English and French leagues and he adds another veteran presence to our back line."
Padula began his career with Argentine club Atl鴩co River Plate in 1996, before moving to Club Atl鴩co Huracᮠin 1997. In 1998, he moved to Europe to play for Xerez CD in Spain. Following his time with Xerez, Padula played in English football between 1999 and 2006.
His first club in England was Bristol Rovers, and after a short spell there, he went on to Walsall FC where he appeared in 25 games before joining Wigan Athletic in 2000. Padula saw action in six games, scoring one goal for the Latics, before heading to Queen's Park Rangers in 2002. Padula became a cult figure during his time at Loftus Road, where he scored five goals in 90 appearances in all competitions for the Hoops. After his time with QPR, Padula joined Nottingham Forest in 2005, where he made five appearances with the Reds. He most recently played with Montpellier HSC of the French Ligue 2, where he made seven appearances.
Our Sports Central
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
QPR's Two American Goalies Featured in QPR's Reserve 16 Last Night
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QPR Reserves drew 1-1 at home to Southampton. In goal, was QPR's American goalie, Matt Pickens, making his QPR debut at the Reserve level. On the subs bench: QPR's other American goalie, Reece Crowther .
QPR Official Site: - ALL SQUARE FOR RESERVES
Rangers Reserves drew 1-1 with Southampton in a thoroughly entertaining Pontin's Holidays Combination League fixture at Loftus Road this evening (Tuesday).
The hosts took the lead early in the first half through Angelo Balanta, but the Saints drew level shortly after when Cedric Baseya headed home from six yards.
The R's can be grateful to debut-boy Matt Pickens for ensuring a share of the spoils, as the Rangers keeper pulled off three stunning point-blank saves after the break to keep the visitors at bay.
Pickens, yet to feature for the First Team following his recent arrival on a short-term contract until the end of the season, frustrated Southampton with some excellent stops, most notably in the closing minutes to deny Matthew Paterson who looked to have scored on the half-volley from 12 yards.
The Rangers keeper was equal to it, however, and brought rapturous applause for his stop from the South Africa Road Stand.
QPR took the lead on seven minutes when Terry Smith - who worked tirelessly in the middle of the park alongside Matt O'Brien - slid a perfect through ball for the on-rushing Balanta.
The Colombian forward made no mistake with just Saints keeper Matej Rondos to beat, as he coolly found the bottom corner from 16 yards.
Unfortunately the hosts' lead was short-lived. Southampton worked an excellent opening with some slick one-touch football before Josh Dutton-Black picked out Cedric Baseya with a pin-point delivery from the left wing.
The latter gave Pickens no chance, as he stooped to head home the equaliser from close range.
As the half wore on, it was the visitors who looked the more likely to add to their tally, and on 33 minutes they would have done so but for an excellent stop from Pickens to deny Baseya from distance.
After the break, it was end-to-end action as both sides, to their credit, looked for the winner.
Balanta went close twice, but pulled his efforts wide, while substitute Aaron Morgan saw his shot from a tight angle deflected away for a corner.
At the other end, Pickens was the star of the show as he did his best to keep the Saints out. And when he was beaten from eight yards following a goal-mouth scramble, Billy Coyne was on hand to clear off the line.
Romone Rose nearly won it in the closing stages with what would have been a stunning solo effort.
After picking the ball up in the right-back position, Rose raced the length of the field before firing his effort just wide of the far post.
QPR: Matt Pickens, Billy Coyne, Chris Barker, Matt O'Brien, Josh Ford, Zesh Rehman, Angelo Balanta, Terry Smith, Antonio German, Romone Rose, Chris Arthur.
Subs: Reece Crowther, Lee Brown, Michael Wright, Aaron Morgan
Southampton: Matej Rondos, Jamie Hatch, Oscar Gobern, Lloyd James, Oliver Lancashire, Jake Thomson, Adam Lallana, Matthew Paterson, Cedric Baseya, Andrew Giallombardo, Josh Dutton-Black
Subs: Kayne McLaggon, Liam Hogan, Ian Jones, Lukas Stiklakis QPR
QPR Reserves drew 1-1 at home to Southampton. In goal, was QPR's American goalie, Matt Pickens, making his QPR debut at the Reserve level. On the subs bench: QPR's other American goalie, Reece Crowther .
QPR Official Site: - ALL SQUARE FOR RESERVES
Rangers Reserves drew 1-1 with Southampton in a thoroughly entertaining Pontin's Holidays Combination League fixture at Loftus Road this evening (Tuesday).
The hosts took the lead early in the first half through Angelo Balanta, but the Saints drew level shortly after when Cedric Baseya headed home from six yards.
The R's can be grateful to debut-boy Matt Pickens for ensuring a share of the spoils, as the Rangers keeper pulled off three stunning point-blank saves after the break to keep the visitors at bay.
Pickens, yet to feature for the First Team following his recent arrival on a short-term contract until the end of the season, frustrated Southampton with some excellent stops, most notably in the closing minutes to deny Matthew Paterson who looked to have scored on the half-volley from 12 yards.
The Rangers keeper was equal to it, however, and brought rapturous applause for his stop from the South Africa Road Stand.
QPR took the lead on seven minutes when Terry Smith - who worked tirelessly in the middle of the park alongside Matt O'Brien - slid a perfect through ball for the on-rushing Balanta.
The Colombian forward made no mistake with just Saints keeper Matej Rondos to beat, as he coolly found the bottom corner from 16 yards.
Unfortunately the hosts' lead was short-lived. Southampton worked an excellent opening with some slick one-touch football before Josh Dutton-Black picked out Cedric Baseya with a pin-point delivery from the left wing.
The latter gave Pickens no chance, as he stooped to head home the equaliser from close range.
As the half wore on, it was the visitors who looked the more likely to add to their tally, and on 33 minutes they would have done so but for an excellent stop from Pickens to deny Baseya from distance.
After the break, it was end-to-end action as both sides, to their credit, looked for the winner.
Balanta went close twice, but pulled his efforts wide, while substitute Aaron Morgan saw his shot from a tight angle deflected away for a corner.
At the other end, Pickens was the star of the show as he did his best to keep the Saints out. And when he was beaten from eight yards following a goal-mouth scramble, Billy Coyne was on hand to clear off the line.
Romone Rose nearly won it in the closing stages with what would have been a stunning solo effort.
After picking the ball up in the right-back position, Rose raced the length of the field before firing his effort just wide of the far post.
QPR: Matt Pickens, Billy Coyne, Chris Barker, Matt O'Brien, Josh Ford, Zesh Rehman, Angelo Balanta, Terry Smith, Antonio German, Romone Rose, Chris Arthur.
Subs: Reece Crowther, Lee Brown, Michael Wright, Aaron Morgan
Southampton: Matej Rondos, Jamie Hatch, Oscar Gobern, Lloyd James, Oliver Lancashire, Jake Thomson, Adam Lallana, Matthew Paterson, Cedric Baseya, Andrew Giallombardo, Josh Dutton-Black
Subs: Kayne McLaggon, Liam Hogan, Ian Jones, Lukas Stiklakis QPR
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