Fairfield U. roots for U.S. World Cup goalie
FAIRFIELD — While the U.S. men’s national soccer team was knocked out of the World Cup on Saturday in a 3-1 loss to the Netherlands, fans at Fairfield University were still proud to watch an alumnus represent them on the field.
Matt Turner, the goalkeeper for the team, who played for the Stags from 2012 to 2015, still made several big saves during the match. Every time he did, students at a watch party in Fairfield University’s dinner hall would jump and cheer.
Alex Salt, a graduate student from Spain and right back on the school’s soccer team, said he showed up to support the United States and Turner. He said Turner representing them in the international tournament is good for the program, as it brings the school recognition.
Tyler Reavis, a freshman fullback from California, said the loss was tough, but seeing someone who was once on the team he plays on sparks his dreams.
“Dreaming of playing pro,” he said. “But it shows that if you just work and never quit, and you never give up on that hobby, you’ll get a result. He got the result. He plays for our national team. He plays in England for Arsenal, and he’s still growing. That’s an amazing part of it. It makes me believe.”
Reavis said that confidence is one of the main mantras of the Fairfield Stags soccer team. He said they look for growth in skills in character.
“It’s just lovely to have someone like Matt Turner
on the biggest stage, inspiring us to do more,” he said.
Jonathan Duggan, a freshman accounting major watching the game, said he enjoyed watching the game with his friends and cheering on his home team. He said the U.S. team had a great start, but were not able to put the ball in the net, while the Netherlands only had a few opportunities to score but they made them count.
Duggan said he just recently learned that Turner went to Fairfield University, calling it awesome. He said Turner’s performance in the group stage was especially impressive, adding he should be proud of himself.
Before the game, Carl Rees, the head coach of Fairfield’s men’s soccer team, said Turner has an amazing story. He said he did not start playing soccer until he was 14 after
watching the World Cup with his friends. As a high school goalkeeper, he said, he did not start until his junior year.
Rees said Turner was scouted by coaches at a tournament in Long Island, and it was clear he had ability. He said they invited him to come to Fairfield University to try out for the team, noting he started in a scrimmage on Saturday and was offered a roster spot by Monday.
“We (offered him a spot) as a No. 2 type of guy,” he said. “We had a really good keeper at the time. He didn’t start his freshman year. Sophomore year, he was getting better and better. I put him in as a substitute against Iona (University) in 2013 at halftime.”
In what is now a famous play, Rees said Turner accidentally scored an own goal in that game. He said that was a big moment in Turner’s
career — his college debut. But, he said, he has grown immensely since.
“He played well the rest of the game, which is kind of indicative of what a mental monster he is,” Rees said. “The following year, he started throughout the year, and we had the most shutouts in Division 1 men’s soccer in 2014. It was in a large part to Matt.”
By the time he graduated, Rees said, Turner was a 4.0 student and very involved on campus. He said he embodied what the team and the university try to promote.
“This is why he’s been successful,” he said. “He’s trustworthy. He has integrity. He has humility. He had aptitude and gratitude and worth ethic. He cares for others and never quits. He never, ever quits. This is why he’s such a great ambassador for our program and for the university as a whole.”
Rees could not stop complimenting Turner, later calling him a model citizen who is “so confident, but very well grounded.” He said that mentality has dictated his success.
Rees said he recommended Turner to the general manager of the New England Revolution, the Major League Soccer team, and said Turner was picked up by Arsenal Football Club, a Londonbased team in England’s Premier League, this year. He said Turner, his disposition and his outlook are representative of what they try to teach players on the Stags.
“I’m just so delighted for him,” he said. “I couldn’t be happier for him.”