Matt Turner is expected to be the USMNT's backup goalkeeper to Matt Freese at the World Cup. However, Turner is still grateful for where he is, and has paid tribute to a former coach of his.
Speaking about his Fairfield Stags coach, Javier Decima, on New York Life, Turner said, "Without him, without his unwavering belief in me, I don't think I have the opportunities that I ended up with in life and in my career
"That was the first time somebody looked at me and believed in me on that level... and from there my confidence grew. Sometimes when you’re a player, you just need that one person to really believe in you."
Turner came to soccer late, as he was predominantly a basketball and baseball player growing up. He took up soccer at the age of 14, so, remarkably, he got to the level he is.
The goalkeeper needed a lot of support during his college days, as his blunder was shown on ESPN' SportCenter's "Not Top 10." The howler saw Turner knock the ball into his own net after it bounced off the crossbar. Turner credits Decima for getting him through that.
Matt Turner has come a long way since his college days
Turner had to show further resiliency after not being selected in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft. He had to go on trial at the New England Revolution before being signed. His form for the Revs led to a move to Premier League giants Arsenal.
Unfortunately, Turner only played five Europa League games and two FA Cup matches for the Gunners. Aaron Ramsdale was the Gunners' favored keeper at the time.
Nottingham Forest was Turner's next club, where he finally got a chance in the Premier League. However, he made 17 league appearances, conceded 28 goals, and kept just two clean sheets. This led to Matz Sels taking his place.
Turner then joined Crystal Palace, which seemed a strange move as he was not going to start ahead of Dean Henderson. The USMNT keeper was only used in FA Cup and EFL Cup matches for the Eagles.
The goalkeeper has become a journeyman recently
He then joined Olympique Lyonnais, but was sent straight on loan to the New England Revolution. Turner is finally a starting keeper, but is back in MLS, where all of the USMNT's keepers are based.
Freese of New York City FC has been Mauricio Pochettino's favored keeper ahead of the World Cup. Chris Brady, who plays for the Chicago Fire, is also in the roster for the tournament, but he is uncapped.
Turner was awarded the number one jersey for the World Cup, with Freese wearing 24, and Brady getting the 25 shirt. However, you cannot look too much into this, as Turner wore that shirt at the 2022 World Cup.
With 53 caps, Turner is the USMNT's most experienced keeper. Freese has just 14 appearances for the Stars and Stripes. However, the NYCFC keeper is expected to start against Paraguay in the USMNT's opening game of the World Cup.
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