Perhaps Matt Freese isn't the #1 option USMNT fans thought he was

Just a few months ago, you'd have been forgiven for saying Matt Freese is the only option for the USMNT between the sticks. Despite Matt Turner having World Cup experience, the New York City shot-stopper was perceived as the clear favorite heading into this year's tournament. That was until Turner entered goku mode and made his form impossible to ignore.

Form hasn't proven anything concrete. The only thing it has proven is that the race is still on, and Mauricio Pochettino still has a big decision on his hands.

Look, it's a great problem to have. We all know the USMNT lacks depth in other areas of the field. Poch would much prefer to have two Matts worthy of starting at the World Cup than one, but right now, you'd have to say Matty T is winning that race over Matty F.

Matt Turner is outperforming Matt Freese in this MLS season

Matt Turner has prevented 5.2 goals this season - the most of any MLS goalkeeper. Matt Freese, on the other hand, has prevented -0.8 goals, a negative differential.

What does that stat actually mean? Well, put simply, it means Freese is doing more harm than good, whereas Turner is doing more good than harm. Of course, it's not as simple as that; these weird new soccer statistics that emerge every year are never that simple.

The 'goals prevented' stat leans in favor of good goalkeepers that play behind leaky defenses. If you face more shots, you have a greater chance of preventing more goals. However, that only works if you are a good shot-stopper. Otherwise, the stat will expose you.

Turner does not play behind a weak defense. The Revolution is actually playing pretty well. His numbers are not inflated because his defenders are letting past weak shots; he's just been that good.

Heck, who remembers when we judged players solely on the eye test and didn't rely on numbers to prove the points we already knew? Those were the days.

The truth, even beyond the numbers, is that Turner saves shots better than Freese does.

To make one thing clear, Freese is still capable of wearing the #1 jersey for the USMNT; it's just that he isn't as nailed-on for the #1 spot as he once was. Turner entering super saiyan form does not make Freese any worse. If Freese were to start for the U.S.A. at this year's World Cup, nobody would complain.

The fact of the matter is that Poch must make one Matt miss out, and whoever the unlucky Matt is has every right to feel hard-done-by. That's just the way the cookie crumbles, unfortunately.

The MLS season is still in its infancy this year, granted, but you're only as good as your last game. Turner's last game was epic; he was easily New England's Revolution MVP, making eight (yes, 8) saves against Atlanta United.

If Pochettino is making the goalkeeper selection on form alone, there is no looking past Turner. He is the best goalkeeper in MLS this season, and that doesn't look likely to change anytime soon.

World Cup experience counts for very little in this young, emerging USMNT. However, when a senior player like Turner is playing the way he's playing, having that experience on the biggest stage in sports has to count for at least something.