Djordje Petrovic Discusses Relationship With Matt Turner, Kevin Hitchcock

"He was helping me a lot while he was here, and he was helping me understand what I have to do. He has supported me all the time. It will be good to see him again."

Photo By ©J. Alexander Dolan

The 2023 MLS All-Star Game will be a reunion of sorts for New England Revolution goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic.

The goalkeeper earned his first All-Star nod and will be headed to Washington D.C. to face off against Arsenal and former Revolution goalkeeper Matt Turner. Petrovic and Turner got to know each other before Turner headed to England last season.

The 23-year-old talked about the impact that Turner had on him when asked about facing off against his former teammate in the All-Star game.

“I know that this will be a great experience,” Petrovic said via a translator. “Arsenal is a great team, but they have just lost the Premier League. However, they have acquired a couple of new players. Regarding Matt [Turner], like Kevin [Hitchcock], I have worked with him well. He was helping me a lot while he was here, and he was helping me understand what I have to do. He has supported me all the time. It will be good to see him again. He set an example for me, including winning the Supporter’s Shield [in 2021], so it will be good.”

Petrovic actually found out he was going to the All-Star game from his goalkeeper coach. With cake and decorations, goalkeeper coach Kevin Hitchcock and members of the Revs organization surprised the goalkeeper at home with the news of his All-Star nod.

Hitchcock has been an instrumental piece of New England’s coaching staff. He helped develop Turner into an EPL keeper and Petrovic seems well on his way to reaching the same fate.

“My relationship with Kevin has been excellent since day one,” Petrovic said. “He was helping me especially regarding things I could improve. Alongside Kevin, we have created a good atmosphere between the four goalkeepers. There is a good healthy competition amongst us.”

The All-Star nod is well deserved for Petrovic. He has six clean sheets so far in 2023 along with 75 saves. His shot-stopping ability is second to none and he has played a major role in New England’s success as Petrović leads MLS with 160 saves since the goalkeeper made his MLS debut on June 12, 2022.

But he hasn’t done this alone. Petrovic has made some friends along the way who have helped him improve as a goalkeeper and ensured that the goalkeeper made a seamless transition to MLS.