Matt Turner (soccer)

Matthew Charles Turner (born June 24, 1994) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for  club Nottingham Forest and the United States national team.

Not playing soccer until 14 years old, Turner played for Fairfield University and went undrafted in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft, though signed with Major League Soccer club New England Revolution after a successful preseason trial. After 2 seasons he became the club's primary goalkeeper, later winning the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year award in 2021. In 2022 he joined Premier League club Arsenal, where he won the FA Community Shield in 2023. In the following 2023-24 season he signed for Nottingham Forest for £10 million ($12.75m).

Turner made his debut for the United States in January 2021 at age 27, quickly becoming the team's starting goalkeeper. With the U.S., he won the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup and 2023 CONCACAF Nations League, winning the best goalkeeper award for both competitions.

Early career
A native of Park Ridge, New Jersey, Turner attended Saint Joseph Regional High School. Turner didn't play soccer until he was 14 years old, initially taking up the sport to stay in shape for his primary sports of basketball and baseball. He started playing in goal when the only other goalkeeper for his freshman team was injured at tryouts.

Turner spent his entire collegiate career at Fairfield University. He made a total of 39 appearances for the Stags and finished with 21 shutouts. He was named to the All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference second team during his senior season. In 2013, ESPN SportsCenter's "Not Top 10" segment featured him as the #1 worst play of the day for putting the ball in his own net after it bounced high off the crossbar.

He also played in the Premier Development League for Jersey Express, leading the team to the PDL national semifinals in 2014.

New England Revolution
Turner was not selected in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft, but he signed a professional contract with Major League Soccer (MLS) club New England Revolution on March 3, 2016, after a successful preseason trial.

2016–17 seasons
On April 29, he joined United Soccer League club Richmond Kickers on loan and made his professional debut a day later in a 1–0 victory over Toronto FC II. During his two loan stints with the Kickers, Turner recorded seven shutouts in 27 starts.

2018 season
Turner earned the starting job for the Revolution entering the 2018 season, beating out Brad Knighton and Cody Cropper for the job. He made his MLS debut on March 3, 2018, in the Revolution's season opener against Philadelphia Union, making four saves in a 2–0 loss. Turner started all four of New England's matches to open the season, recording a 1.25 goals against average and 16 saves throughout that period. On March 31, 2018, he made six saves and recorded his first MLS clean sheet in the club's 2–0 win at BBVA Compass Stadium against Houston Dynamo FC. It was the first clean sheet a Revolution keeper had recorded since August 24, 2016. He recorded four more clean sheets over the 2018 season.

2019 season
After a difficult start to the 2019 season which saw Turner drop to third string behind Cropper and Knighton, he re-emerged as the starter for the club, ultimately starting 20 matches and recording five clean sheets. Turner would lead the Revolution to its first playoff match since 2015. It was also Turner's first playoff match. He started in the Revolution's 1–0 away loss to Atlanta United FC in the first round of the 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs. Turner finished as an MLS goalkeeper of the year finalist, ranking fifth in voting behind winner Vito Mannone, D.C. United's Bill Hamid, New York City FC's Sean Johnson, and Atlanta's Brad Guzan.

2020 season
Turner had a stand-out season in 2020 and was subsequently named as a finalist for the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Award. Over the course of the season, Turner started 22 of the team's 23 matches, recording an 8–7–8 record, setting a new club record for goals against per game (1.08), recording six shut-outs, and leading his team to a second consecutive trip to the MLS Cup Playoffs. At the conclusion of the season, Turner ranked second in Revs history in saves percentage and goals against average (1.36). He additionally finished as the leader ranked among the top-10 MLS goalkeepers in saves percentage, goals against average, and saves. His save percentage was the highest of any MLS keeper since the start of the 2019 season. He ultimately finished the season second in voting for the MLS goalkeeper of the year, behind Andre Blake.

In round one of the 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs, Turner recorded a clean sheet against the Supporters' Shield-holding Philadelphia Union in the Revolution's 2–0 win. Turner then saved a Nani penalty kick in the Revolution's Eastern Conference semifinal 3–1 victory over Orlando City SC.

In 2020, New England Revolution fans voted Turner the Revolution team MVP, his teammates voted him the Revolution Player of the Year, and Revolution supporters group the Midnight Riders voted him the Midnight Riders Man of the Year.

2021 season
Turner continued to play well over the course of the 2021 season, recording a 1.25 goals-against average, a 73.2 save percentage, and five shutouts over 28 starts. He was named the 2021 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year. He was the first keeper in Revolution history to earn the honor. During the 2021 season, Turner was named 2021 MLS All-Star Game MVP after making two penalty saves against the Liga MX All stars on August 25, 2021. He also set a club record with 17 regular season wins, which was tied for the most in the league.

Arsenal
On February 11, 2022, it was announced that Turner and Premier League club Arsenal had agreed to a deal that would see him move to the London club in the summer of 2022. He was Arsenal's first summer signing of the window. Arsenal reportedly paid a transfer fee of $6 million that could potentially rise to $10 million. On June 27, 2022, Arsenal announced Turner as the new player on a long-term contract. Turner was given the number 30 shirt.

Turner started Arsenal's July 8, 2022, friendly at 1. FC Nürnberg. Arsenal won the match 5–3.

On September 8, 2022, Turner started against FC Zürich during the 2022–23 UEFA Europa League group stage, which Arsenal won 2–1. On October 6, Turner recorded his first clean sheet for the club in a 3–0 win against Bodø/Glimt at the Emirates in the subsequent Europa League fixture. Following this, Turner recorded back-to-back clean sheets in further Europa League wins against Bodø/Glimt again and PSV Eindhoven. The former of the two performances, a 1–0 away win at the Aspmyra Stadion on October 13, drew praise from Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. Turner concluded his Arsenal career with seven appearances across all competitions, recording four clean sheets.

Nottingham Forest
On August 9, 2023, Nottingham Forest announced the signing of Turner from Arsenal on a four-year deal for a reported fee of £10m ($12.75m). He made his Premier League debut for Forest 3 days later, away to Arsenal, in a 2–1 loss. He recorded his first clean sheet on September 2, 2023, in a 1–0 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

International career


Turner made his international debut on January 31, 2021, for the United States men's national team, starting in goal in a 7–0 friendly victory against Trinidad and Tobago. Turner recorded a clean sheet, saving a penalty kick from Alvin Jones.

Turner started in all six games for the United States in the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup. He recorded five clean sheets, including one in a 1–0 win against Mexico in the final. For his performance, Turner was awarded "Best Goalkeeper" of the tournament.

In November 2022, Turner was selected for the USMNT squad that competed in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where he played as the primary goalkeeper and was one of three players to feature in all 360 minutes of the tournament for the American squad. Turner kept two clean sheets in the tournament, becoming the first US goalkeeper to record multiple clean sheets in one edition of the FIFA World Cup since 1930.

Turner started in both games for the USMNT squad at the 2023 CONCACAF Nations League Finals, keeping clean sheets against both Mexico and Canada in 3–0 and 2–0 wins respectively as the United States won the competition. Alongside winning the Nations League title, Turner was selected as the best goalkeeper in the Nations League and was also named to the CNL Finals Best XI.

Furthermore, Turner was named to the United States roster for the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup. In the opening Group A match versus Jamaica, Turner saved a penalty from Leon Bailey as the United States drew 1–1. In the knockout stage quarterfinal matchup against Canada, the game went to penalties after extra time. Turner then saved two penalties during the shootout, stonewalling both Steven Vitoria and Liam Fraser en route to a United States victory and man of the match honors.

On June 12. 2024, he saved 11 shots in the friendly 1–1 draw against Brazil, the most for a U.S. goalkeeper since Tim Howard's 15 at the 2014 FIFA World Cup against Belgium.

Personal life
Turner is Jewish. Turner and his father both obtained Lithuanian passports in 2020; Turner's paternal great-grandmother fled from religious persecution during World War II, and as Jews emigrated from Lithuania. His father's family is Jewish, and they Anglicized their surname from "Turnovski" to ″Turner″ at Ellis Island when immigrating, whereas his mother's family is Catholic.

He married ex-NFL cheerleader Ashley Herron in 2022. Their son Easton was born on June 29, 2022. In March 2023, the couple announced they were expecting a daughter.

Honors
New England Revolution
 * Supporters' Shield: 2021

Arsenal
 * FA Community Shield: 2023

United States
 * CONCACAF Gold Cup: 2021
 * CONCACAF Nations League: 2022–23, 2023–24

Individual
 * CONCACAF Gold Cup Golden Glove: 2021
 * CONCACAF Gold Cup Best XI: 2021
 * CONCACAF Nations League Golden Glove: 2022–23, 2023–24
 * CONCACAF Nations League Finals Best XI: 2023
 * MLS All-Star: 2021
 * MLS All-Star Game MVP: 2021
 * MLS Goalkeeper of the Year: 2021
 * MLS Best XI: 2021