Curtain call for Turner
Revs goalie set for MLS finale, then it’s on to Arsenal and the EPL
Matt Turner began his MLS career as a long shot from a mid-major college program to become the league’s 2021 Goalkeeper of the Year.
Turner’s improbable success with the Revolution since his arrival in 2016 has caused his career to come full circle. Turner will begin the next phase of his professional journey as a long shot foreigner from the wrong side of the Atlantic when he joins Arsenal of the English Premier League next week.
“I came to soccer late and because of that, I’ve always had to prove myself every single day,” said Turner. “I’ve always sort of had the decks stacked against me so I didn’t have opportunities come flying at me all the time.
“I knew I had to make the most of them and really perform if I wanted to develop that credibility. The more you play, the more credibility you sort of develop over time. Not as many doors were open for me and when opportunities presented themselves, especially over the past few seasons, I was ready for them.”
Turner, 27, will guard the New England goal for the final time when the Revolution (5-5-5) host Minnesota United FC (5- 6-3) on Sunday night (5) at Gillette Stadium.
Turner came to New England as an undrafted free agent out of Fairfield and departs one of the most influential players in club history. Turner enters his final game the Revolution’s all-time leader among keepers in winning percentage (.590) with a record of 43-25-33 in MLS regular
season play. He is third in clean sheets (22), second in saves (346), second in goals against average (1.33) and second in save percentage (71.6).
The Revolution’s fortunes improved when Bruce Arena was hired as head coach and sporting director in May of 2019 and Turner became a huge factor in the team’s upgrade.
The New Jersey native back ended the Revolution’s historic run in 2021 when they accumulated an Mls-record 73 regular season points and secured the first Supporter’s Shield in club history.
Turner parlayed that success into a spot on the U.S. Men’s National Team. Turner competed in the World Cup qualifiers in March and spent the last two weeks participating in the CONCACAF Nations League tournament.
Turner’s international resume features 18 senior caps, 14 wins and 13 shutouts. Turner had four cleans sheets in eight starts during the U. S. team’s World Cup qualifying campaign and was named best goalkeeper at the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament.
Turner’s portfolio, while impressive on this side of
the pond, accounts for little in the English Premier League. He will be just another guy of the roster competing for minutes. Turner has come to terms with that because it’s been that way his whole career.
“It’s going to be an amazing journey but that novelty will wear of pretty soon because I understand that going there is going to require a lot of focus,” said Turner. “It is going to require a lot of dedication and sacrifice and I’m going to have to put my best foot forward every single day if I want to have even a sniff of success.”