With a 76.4% save percentage (second-best in Major League Soccer) and 5.1 goals prevented (third-best), Matt Turner has made his case to be the U.S. Men’s National Team starter at the World Cup.

Head coach Mauricio Pochettino is slated to name his roster on Tuesday, May 26, in a live event from 3-4 pm.

Turner, who made history in 2022 by becoming the first American goalkeeper to record consecutive shutouts in a World Cup since 1930, is expected to be on the list.

Making the roster is step one.

"The competition is fierce for spots, and there's a lot on the line," Turner said. "I look forward to when that list drops, and hopefully my name's on it. From there, I'll just take it one step at a time and try to do everything I can to be on that pitch."

Humble Beginnings

A lot of hard work made Turner the player – and person – he is today.

The New Jersey native didn't start playing competitively until age 16. He was a walk-on at Fairfield University, eventually earning the starting spot. Despite 20 shutouts in 39 appearances, he wasn't drafted by an MLS club.

An unexpected phone call from Remi Roy, the club's former goalkeeping coach who is now the technical director, led to a trial in 2016.

Starting off as the third choice, he regularly made weekend trips to play for the Richmond Kickers of the United Soccer League.

He earned the Revolution's starting gig in 2018.

"It's a lot to reflect upon," Turner said when speaking of his journey. "I think I wouldn’t have been able to dream it, but I’ve always had this desire within myself to want to be the best at whatever I’m doing with an ultra-competitive spirit.

"I was extremely fortunate to land in a place that really believed in me and allowed me to have the freedom to be myself on the field and off the field, and then just to blossom."

Turner recognized Kevin Hitchcock, a legendary Chelsea goalkeeper who arrived in New England in 2019. He immediately saw something in Turner.

"My life really changed when Kevin Hitchcock came in 2019," Turner said. "After one training session, he looked at me and said, 'You can play in the Premier League.' That was the first time somebody looked at me and believed in me on that level, and from there my confidence [grew]."

Turner was the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year in 2020, setting a new club record for goals against per game (1.09). The following year, he made his international debut.

In 2022, he joined Arsenal for a reported transfer fee of $6 million. The college walk-on was heading to the club he supported when he was young.

"No one likes an underdog story like the people of New England," Turner said.

A Homecoming

Turner spent three seasons in the English Premier League, from 2022 to 2025.

The time away had some highs – including winning the 2025 FA Cup with Crystal Palace – but playing time was inconsistent. He made seven appearances with Arsenal, 21 with Nottingham Forrest, and four with Palace.

A move to Ligue 1 club Lyon a year before the World Cup was expected to be the remedy, but plans shifted when it was announced that the club would be relegated due to financial issues.

Turner signed with Lyon but was immediately loaned to the Revolution through Jun. 30, 2026.

"Coming back here, it was just a home run situation because I could be in the comfort of a place I was familiar with," Turner said. "I had so many people nearby that I could rely upon, and then I could just be totally focused on what I had to do.”

Not having to move between seasons was a positive – "moving is literally the worst thing ever" – as was a full preseason, something he hadn't gotten in the last few years. Reuniting with Hitchcock might top the list, though.

"He’s really just kind of peeled back the layers of the onion in terms of my goalkeeping, stripped things back, and rebuilt things in a confident way for me," Turner said. "The support, the belief that he has in me is tremendous."

Turner has been strong in his 13 starts, helping the Revs to third place in the Eastern Conference. He's a top vote-getter for the MLS All-Star Game, earning plaudits from pundits.

The hope is that this translates into being named to the roster, and maybe even starting.

"It would mean everything," Turner said of making the roster. "There's no question, no secret that the last few years have been challenging for my career. You know, there's been a lot of noise, but as I mentioned before, my self-belief never wavered."

He later added, "I know that at this point, I’ve done everything that I possibly can in my power before the [roster] gets released. I’m at peace with everything that I’ve done."

A Look Ahead

While the World Cup is front of mind, there's also the reality that Turner's loan from Lyon expires at the end of June, though there is a €3 million purchase option.

Sporting Director Curt Onalfo told The Blazing Musket in April, "We’re going to do everything possible to make sure we can keep him here."

Head coach Marko Mitrovic explained today, “I think every club in MLS would love to have Matt Turner for the long term. We are in the same spot. We would love to have Matt, not just until the end of the season but for the long term as well. But we’ll see.”

The 31-year-old netminder said it's something that will be dealt with later, as the Revs play Charlotte FC on Saturday, then comes the World Cup.

"I think we’ll just have to wait until all the ducks are in a row, gather as much information as we can, and then make the best decision for all the parties involved,” Turner said.

That decision could keep him in New England, a place that's become home.

"Yeah, of course. Why would I not be?" Turner said when asked if he'd be interested in staying in New England. "Again, there are a lot of things that have to happen between now and then, and a World Cup, so I’m going to take things one day at a time.”