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With the United States men's national soccer team having already secured its spot in the knockout round, backup goalkeeper Matt Turner is getting the start against Turkey on June 25.
Turner is stepping in for starter Matt Freese for the Group D match in Inglewood, Calif.
Here's a look at the 31-year-old goalkeeper from Park Ridge, N.J. and his journey from Bergen County suburbia to the 2026 World Cup.
At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Turner was the Americans' starter in all four matches. He earned back-to-back shutouts of England and Iran.
He is now the fifth USMNT goalkeeper to start in multiple World Cups.
But Turner, the starting goalkeeper for Major League Soccer's New England Revolution, hasn't played much for USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino. His last appearance came in a 5-2 friendly loss to Belgium on March 28.
New York City FC goalkeeper Matt Freese, 27, started for the USMNT in the first two World Cup matches, at the Concacaf Gold Cup last summer as well as all six fall friendlies.
More: 2026 World Cup at MetLife has special meaning for these NJ soccer pros
"If you care about playing for your country, your ultimate goal should be to represent it on the world's biggest stage," Turner said after a 1-0 loss to the Red Bulls on Feb. 28. "It's really exciting that it's coming to America, to this region, the region I'm from, and the region I represent on the club level. I want to represent the U.S. and play meaningful games."
Growing up playing baseball and basketball, Turner didn't get into soccer until his freshman year at St. Joseph Regional High School in Montvale. He was inspired by his older sisters, Michelle Turner and Kelly Covello, as well as watching the 2010 World Cup on television.
Turner made varsity as a junior, earning a starting spot when a teammate was injured. He recorded a 0.90 goals-against average and 20 shutouts.
His only NCAA Division I scholarship offer came from Fairfield. Again, Turner didn't start until his junior year. He was named Fairfield's Male Athlete of the Year after leading the NCAA in save percentage (89 percent) and shutout percentage (72 percent).
Turner signed with New England out of preseason camp, but was loaned to the Richmond Kickers, making 27 appearances and recording seven shutouts in two USL Championship seasons. On loan from Olympique Lyonnaise in France, Turner started his ninth MLS season with a 46-30-35 record and 24 shutouts in 112 regular-season starts.
Major League Soccer 2026: Spotlighting New Jersey's soccer talent
Turner had played three years in England with Arsenal, Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace, becoming one of just four Americans to win the FA Cup in 2025.
After starting his international career in a 7-0 drubbing of Trinidad and Tobago in January 2021, Turner has 29 victories and 27 shutouts in 53 international appearances. He set a USMNT record with 14 clean sheets in his first 20 caps, helping the United States win the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup title.
"I've got to focus on my day to day. I've got to continue to show that I can be relied on by my team," Turner said when asked what he had to do to earn a starting role at the World Cup.
"And then, use my experiences that I've had to be a calming influence on other people around me, and show that I've been there and done that before. ... Having consistent minutes and being in an environment where I'm being relied upon is the most important thing."
This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: Matt Turner of NJ starts at goalkeeper for US vs Turkey
Continue reading...
Turner is stepping in for starter Matt Freese for the Group D match in Inglewood, Calif.
Here's a look at the 31-year-old goalkeeper from Park Ridge, N.J. and his journey from Bergen County suburbia to the 2026 World Cup.
Matt Turner finding his place
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At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Turner was the Americans' starter in all four matches. He earned back-to-back shutouts of England and Iran.
He is now the fifth USMNT goalkeeper to start in multiple World Cups.
But Turner, the starting goalkeeper for Major League Soccer's New England Revolution, hasn't played much for USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino. His last appearance came in a 5-2 friendly loss to Belgium on March 28.
New York City FC goalkeeper Matt Freese, 27, started for the USMNT in the first two World Cup matches, at the Concacaf Gold Cup last summer as well as all six fall friendlies.
More: 2026 World Cup at MetLife has special meaning for these NJ soccer pros
You must be registered for see images attach
"If you care about playing for your country, your ultimate goal should be to represent it on the world's biggest stage," Turner said after a 1-0 loss to the Red Bulls on Feb. 28. "It's really exciting that it's coming to America, to this region, the region I'm from, and the region I represent on the club level. I want to represent the U.S. and play meaningful games."
Matt Turner's sports journey started in North Jersey
Growing up playing baseball and basketball, Turner didn't get into soccer until his freshman year at St. Joseph Regional High School in Montvale. He was inspired by his older sisters, Michelle Turner and Kelly Covello, as well as watching the 2010 World Cup on television.
Turner made varsity as a junior, earning a starting spot when a teammate was injured. He recorded a 0.90 goals-against average and 20 shutouts.
His only NCAA Division I scholarship offer came from Fairfield. Again, Turner didn't start until his junior year. He was named Fairfield's Male Athlete of the Year after leading the NCAA in save percentage (89 percent) and shutout percentage (72 percent).
You must be registered for see images attach
Turner signed with New England out of preseason camp, but was loaned to the Richmond Kickers, making 27 appearances and recording seven shutouts in two USL Championship seasons. On loan from Olympique Lyonnaise in France, Turner started his ninth MLS season with a 46-30-35 record and 24 shutouts in 112 regular-season starts.
Major League Soccer 2026: Spotlighting New Jersey's soccer talent
Turner had played three years in England with Arsenal, Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace, becoming one of just four Americans to win the FA Cup in 2025.
After starting his international career in a 7-0 drubbing of Trinidad and Tobago in January 2021, Turner has 29 victories and 27 shutouts in 53 international appearances. He set a USMNT record with 14 clean sheets in his first 20 caps, helping the United States win the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup title.
"I've got to focus on my day to day. I've got to continue to show that I can be relied on by my team," Turner said when asked what he had to do to earn a starting role at the World Cup.
"And then, use my experiences that I've had to be a calming influence on other people around me, and show that I've been there and done that before. ... Having consistent minutes and being in an environment where I'm being relied upon is the most important thing."
This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: Matt Turner of NJ starts at goalkeeper for US vs Turkey
Continue reading...
