Matt Pacifici Explained

Matt Pacifici
Birth Date:31 August 1993
Birth Place:Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.
Position:Goalkeeper
Collegeyears1:2011
College1:Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Collegecaps1:0
Collegegoals1:0
Collegeyears2:2012–2015
College2:Davidson Wildcats
Collegecaps2:70
Collegegoals2:0
Years1:2016
Clubs1:Columbus Crew
Caps1:0
Goals1:0

Matthew Pacifici (born August 31, 1993) is an American former professional soccer player who played as a goalkeeper. After graduating from Davidson College, he played for Columbus Crew.[1]

Youth and college career

High school

Pacifici was a varsity soccer player at Charlotte Catholic High School for four years.[2] He compiled at 46-4-4 record during his high school career. His final year, he led the nation with 21 shutouts including 16 consecutive shutouts. Pacifici was part of a 3-A State Championship team in 2008.[3] Pacifici was a High School Academic All American, receiving his award in Baltimore, MD in 2011.

College

Wake Forest

Pacifici spent his first year of college at Wake Forest. He sat out the season and received a medical redshirt.

Davidson

Pacifici transferred to Davidson College(Division I) beginning with the 2012 season. Pacifici played in 70 games over the course of his Davidson career going 28–31–10. His career goals against average was 1.45. He was named 2nd team All-Conference in 2014 while recording a 0.65 goals against average and seven shutouts. He was a two-year team captain.[4] [5] While at Davidson College Pacifici was a Collegiate Academic All-American.

Club career

After graduating from Davidson, Pacifici went undrafted but was invited to training camp with the Columbus Crew. During the preseason, he held Real Salt Lake and Colorado Rapids scoreless.[6] [7] The Crew signed Pacifici to a contract in March 2016.[8] A concussion placed Pacifici on the season ending injury list in July.[9] He was forced to retire after developing postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome following the concussion.[10]

Personal life

Pacifici became the fifth openly gay current or former Major League Soccer player when he came out on Instagram in January 2019.[11] [12]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Matt Pacifici Columbus Crew. 2021-10-11. Columbus Crew. en.
  2. Web site: A soccer player kept a secret for fear it would threaten his career. Then he got hurt. 2021-10-11. The Charlotte Observer.
  3. https://godeacs.com/news/2011/5/31/Wake_Forest_Men_s_Soccer_Announces_2011_Class.aspx "Wake Forest Men's Soccer Announces 2011 Class"
  4. https://www.columbuscrewsc.com/players/matt-pacifici "Matt Pacifici Columbus Crew Profile
  5. https://davidsonwildcats.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster/matt-pacifici/4284 "Matt Pacifici Davidson Profile"
  6. Web site: Davidson's Matt Pacifici signs with Major League Soccer's Columbus Crew . CharlotteObserver.com . November 29, 2019.
  7. Web site: One of the Crew: Matt Pacifici '15. Davidson.edu . November 29, 2019.
  8. Web site: Crew signs rookies Matt Pacifici, Marshall Hollingsworth. dispatch.com . November 29, 2019.
  9. Web site: Pacifici placed on season-ending injury list. ColumbusCrewSC.com . November 29, 2019.
  10. Web site: Charlotte-born MLS player on coming out, changing the culture of pro sports. CharlotteObserver.com . November 29, 2019.
  11. Web site: A soccer player kept a secret for fear it would threaten his career. Then he got hurt.. CharlotteObserver.com . November 29, 2019.
  12. Web site: Former MLS player Matt Pacifici comes out as gay by introducing his boyfriend to the world. Outsports.com . November 29, 2019.