The goalkeeper is back in MLS at a time of need for both himself and his new, but familiar, club.
Matt Turner's return to the New England Revolution was made official on Friday. In some ways, though, it began a few weeks ago. It didn’t begin with agent talks or negotiations, but with something more spontaneous: a visit.
On July 9, just days after the Gold Cup final, the U.S. international was back in New England. A quick glance at the schedule revealed a game against Lionel Messi and Inter Miami, and Turner wanted to be there. A few texts were exchanged with familiar names with the Revs, and there Turner was, on the sidelines at Gillette Stadium, back at his old home.
"To walk in front of the supporters, I was a little nervous," Turner admitted on Monday in his first press conference since sealing his loan back to the club. "I was sweating just thinking about it. Just the way that I felt the love from them, it was special.
"It's been a while since I really felt those arms around me, and that was eye-opening, for sure. It's good to be back in an environment where you're loved."
A month ago, though, Turner couldn't have predicted he'd have the chance to come back. It took one of American soccer's weirder transfer sagas to get him there. It included a purchase by Lyon, an attempted reneging on the deal, and, ultimately, a solution that worked for all involved – a solution that brought Turner home.
This time, though, Turner isn't visiting, and he isn't back just to sit on the sidelines soaking in the love of a crowd. A World Cup spot is on the line, and, after being benched at this summer's Gold Cup, Turner knows the jeopardy he's in. If he wants to be the guy again next summer, as he was in 2022, he'll have to play and play well.
After several trying moments and life lessons, Turner is back in New England with a point to prove, both to those fans who cheered him on and to those in charge of the U.S. men's national team. Now back, Turner is eager to show that he's still the same guy who was a star during his first run in MLS. He’s also eager to show how much he’s grown since.
"I don't want to sour any milk, you know? I want to work," he said. "I want to continue the journey that I'm on here, and this place was a huge part of launching that journey as well. I don't want to be paraded around just to be Matt Turner. I know that the club is going through some difficult moments this season, and I want to bring that winning mentality back and create relationships that will last a lifetime."
"It's good to be back here right now, and I need to find my form leading into the World Cup," he added. "I think this is a really important opportunity for all of us."
- Getty Images Sport
Lessons in England
To start Turner's return press conference on Monday, Revs sporting director Curt Onalfo rattled off the goalkeeper's extended list of accomplishments with the club. 2021 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, All-Star Game MVP, MLS Best XI, Supporters' Shield winner – those are the accomplishments that got Turner to England and, perhaps more importantly, into the USMNT's No. 1 shirt. To strengthen his claim on that shirt, he left the Revs in 2022, beginning a wild ride through Europe.
Turner initially signed with Arsenal in 2022 and went on to make seven cup appearances in his lone season, all in the FA Cup and Europa League. His Premier League debut came the next season when he was sold to Nottingham Forest, but by the end of that season, he was benched in favor of Mats Selz due to inconsistent form. A loan to Crystal Palace followed, one which produced just four appearances in the FA Cup and League Cup. There was an obvious high with Palace as they went on to win the FA Cup against Manchester City. It came with Dean Henderson, not Turner, in goal for the final few rounds of the competition, though.
All of that is to say that Turner's time in England didn't really go to plan. He never flourished in the way he dreamed he would. He can acknowledge that fact now.
"I had some misfortunes," he said. "I had some opportunities I didn't make the most of as well. It just didn't go perfectly to plan. However, I started my beautiful family over there, so I have no regrets about my time in England. I really loved it, and I would never shut the door on a return, either."
After that difficult season with Palace, Turner needed a change. That change came in the form of Lyon. The club, which was owned by Palace owner John Textor, came to an agreement to sign Turner for a reported $9 million fee. However, when Lyon faced a summer of chaos, one that threatened their Ligue 1 status, the club felt a sense of buyer's remorse. The club reportedly attempted to back out of the deal, which wasn't announced until Turner had completed his temporary move back to New England.
"It was a trying time," Turner said, "and it was very difficult to be in limbo for a while…To be left in that sort of limbo was difficult, but now I turn to an extended family here in New England that's eager to take me in with open arms and let me focus on my work and getting ready to achieve my ultimate goal, which, we all know, is to play in the 2026 World Cup here in the States."
This move, ultimately, was made with that goal in mind. To get to it, Turner will have to prove himself on the field once again. There are consequences to inactivity, particularly at the goalkeeper position, and Turner felt those consequences this summer at the Gold Cup.
Advertisement
- Getty Images Sport
The USMNT situation
Since making his USMNT debut in 2021, his MLS Goalkeeper of the Year season, Turner has gone on to earn 52 caps. Four, of course, came at the 2022 World Cup, where Turner was the USMNT's go-to starter throughout. In the years since, that held true – until this summer.
Throughout the USMNT's eight-game summer run, Turner started just once: the humbling 4-0 loss to Switzerland. After watching Turner play so few minutes this season, USMNT boss Mauricio Pochettino used the Gold Cup to give an extended run to Matt Freese, who had proven himself as one of MLS' best with NYCFC. Freese, by and large, did well, notably leading the U.S. to a shootout win over Costa Rica in the quarterfinals.
To his credit, Turner earned rave reviews in his role as backup. He was often credited not just for taking it on the chin but for stepping up as a leader. He never sulked. Instead, he took this summer as an opportunity to both help and refocus his own career.
"I had a really great conversation, multiple conversations, throughout the summer with the gaffer with the national team and, sometimes, you're in a cycle and you need somebody to help you snap out of it a little bit," Turner said. "I think it took him to help me take a step back and look at things from a different perspective. Obviously, I wasn't playing my best leading into that, and sometimes you just have to shake it up a little bit to help the player, then launch forward and achieve what the coach and player know they can. I know what I can achieve, and his support was massive.
"He helped me create new perspectives and new relationships with guys on the team that I might not have had a chance to in another scenario. It just helped me look at things from a different side and show leadership in a different way. I'm grateful for that opportunity, in that sense."
Turner was quick to point out that his national team breakout came while he was with the Revs. The USMNT goalkeeper picture, meanwhile, is filled with MLS shot-stoppers. This summer, Turner was joined by Freese and Chris Brady, both in MLS. Patrick Schulte and Zack Steffen, meanwhile, likely would have been involved if not for injury issues. They, too, start in MLS. Playing stateside clearly won't disqualify Turner, then. It will seemingly help his situation.
Still, Turner has to play well, not just for himself but for his team. He's walking into a Revs group that needs him, one that could really benefit from Turner's arrival on and off the field.
- Getty Images Sport
A team in need
Following Turner's portion of the press conference, the stage was handed to Onalfo. It didn't take long for the elephant in the room to show itself.
"Both fan supporter groups have issued statements about your future and Caleb Porter's future," a reporter in the room began. "One of those groups is actively calling for your removal and Caleb's removal. What do you say to those fans at this moment, which is a difficult moment for the future of the club?"
The question was fair. The Revs in fact, are in a difficult moment. The club is currently 11th in the Eastern Conference, 10 points back of a playoff spot. They've won just once since May 3. That win came all the way back on May 31. Since, they've collected just two points from nine games, prompting "The Rebellion" supporters' group to call for the removal of both head coach Porter and sporting director Onalfo.
Onalfo, of course, acknowledged that. He's frustrated, too, he said. The results haven't been there, and the vision hasn't quite gone to plan. Things have to get better. Turner's return is a step towards that, he says. The club now has one of the best goalkeepers in the league, and that's a good starting point.
"In recent results, we've been leaking goals, and Matt's a game-changer," Onalfo said. "He's one of the guys who can turn a shot that should be a goal into a save. We are continuously looking to always make our team better and, when we evaluated this scenario, this was a no-brainer… We feel very fortunate that Matt will help us with more clean sheets, which gives us the opportunity to win more games."
Turner, meanwhile, is well aware of what he's stepping into. The atmosphere around the club is tense, even if there is a warm feeling to his return. It was nice to see old friends and familiar faces, he said. It'll also be nice to reunite with those friends to try to help dig this club out of the rut they're in.
"I back myself to help propel this team to win games," Turner said. "I've been in playoff hunts before. I think it was back in 2019 when we made a big charge and were able to get in the hunt and into the playoffs with a big run. MLS has always been a league of streaks and, if we can get hot at the right time, anything's possible."
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
- Getty Images Sport
Starting anew
Turner's deal with New England runs through next summer. He'll be a Designated Player this year and, most likely, a TAM player next year. After that, who knows? There's an option to purchase, but nothing is guaranteed. Turner likely knows that more than most.
"The door is open for anything," Turner said. "Obviously, if it goes well here and I play with the national team and consistently get called in – I'm only 31 years old and, as a goalkeeper, I still feel like a baby. I came late to this sport, so I don't feel like I'm looking at the future saying, 'Yeah, this is it. ' I feel young, and I want to continue to learn and continue to grow, and compete. I would never shut any door on a long-term stay, but, at the same time, I don't want to close doors anywhere."
It's a new chapter, though, one that could begin as soon as this weekend. The Revs are set to take on D.C. United at home on Saturday. Turner says it's a coach's decision, but if called upon, he'll be ready.
This was the lifeline Turner needed, particularly with a World Cup on the line. There are big games ahead, for club and country, and Turner will be eager to get back into those games after spending so long on the sideline. His European adventure was just that, an adventure, but Turner is back home, seemingly at a time when he needed it most.
"I think the biggest thing for us, when I knew I made the right decision, was the Instagram video dropping," he said. "My wife and I were getting emotional watching it because it's been a while since I've been in a situation where I'm feeling that love and support…It's so great to be back, but quickly, it's like, 'The coach wants to meet with you. ' You have all of this stuff to do. The parade is all good, but you have to get to work and you have to win, so I'm eager to get out on the pitch and close this chapter of the book and get to work."