Matt Turner’s journey from national laughing stock to USMNT’s starting goalkeeper at the 2022 World Cup

Let’s face it, being a goalkeeper is a pretty thankless task. And perhaps the worst part of all is that you are remembered more for your mistakes than what you did well.

Goalkeeping gaffes

Every professional goalkeeper, at some point during their career, has suffered a catastrophic moment when they want the ground to swallow them. Fumbling a straightforward, easy shot, flapping at - and completely missing a high ball, getting nutmeged, passing the ball straight to an opponent... Conceding a comedy goal might make you feel the loneliest man on the pitch... but it happens to the best.

For Matt Turner, a blunder right at the start of his career marked him for several years. To make matters worse, Turner’s moment of horror was captured on film for everyone to see.

Then just 19 years of age, Turner was in his sophomore season at Fairfield University. He was the Stags’ second-choice keeper behind Joe Martin but was given a chance to prove himself in the Week 10 matchup with Iona Gaels, in front of a home crowd at Mazzella Field.

Turner replaced Martin at half-time, with the team leading 1-0 through Jordan Ayris’ 27th minute strike. But just as the game entered its decisive phase, things went horribly wrong for the teenage goalkeeper.

On 72 minutes Gaels midfielder Jordan Scarlett latched onto a clearance and despite being 30 yards out, decided to try his luck against the rookie keeper. Turner stood motionless as Scarlett unleashed a thunderous drive that bounced high off the top of the cross bar.

‘Beam me up, Scotty’

Turner looked up, and decided to try to gather the ball on its way down. Possibly thinking he could shield the ball from opposing attackers, he turned to face his own goal - without realizing that a high ball, hurtling towards you right on the goal line is not so easy to judge. An experienced keeper would take no chances and punch the ball clear. Turner decided he would try and catch it.

His miscalculated - the ball slipped through his flapping arms, hit him straight in the face, sending it into his own net. Awkward, embarrassing and painfully funny at the same time. Turner could not believe what had just happened - and nor could anyone else.

The Stags ended losing the game 1-2, with Ignacio Maganto grabbing a late winner.

A video of Turner’s gaffe was posted on social media where it was quickly picked up by Men in Blazers, and spread like wildfire. “The video goes viral, social media is running rampant, people are saying things about me that I can’t believe,” Turner recalled. “I had sacrificed so much for that opportunity and it couldn’t have gone any worse. I went into a really, really bad place for a while.”

Turner turns pro

From then on, the only way Turner’s career could go was up. By March 2016, Turner had signed a professional contract with the New England Revolution but was immediately loaned out to USL side, the Richmond Kickers.

Fast forward a couple of years and Matt was back in New England and the starting goalkeeper. He made his MLS debut against Philadelphia Union on March 3, 2018.

By 2021, he was named the best goalkeeper in the league and USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter handed him his debut with the national team in a friendly against Trinidad and Tobago. By the time of the Gold Cup a few months later, Turner was a starter as the United States went on to win the trophy.

Turner between the stick at Qatar 2022

At club level, stints in England with Arsenal and Nottingham Forest followed as well as a place in the USMNT squad at the 2022 World Cup. He was one of three players to play every minute of the team’s four games at the tournament, up to their elimination by the Netherlands.

As Mauricio Pochettino’s USMNT prepare for this summer’s World Cup, Matt Turner is still in contention although Matt Freese is expected to guard the net. Turner has made 53 appearances for the men’s national team, placing him 57th in the all-time list. Not bad for a keeper that was written off and ceremoniously mocked for his college days blunder.

Whether Turner is given a place in Poch’s roster for this summer’s World Cup or not remains to be seen. The 30-year-old faces competition from Chris Brady, Roman Celentano and Jonathan Klinsmann although he is vastly more experienced than they are. On May 26, we will find out.

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