Matt Turner

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.

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

Turner would lead the Revolution to its first playoff match since 2015.

It was also Turner's first playoff match.

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.

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.

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.

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.

It was the first clean sheet a Revolution keeper had recorded since August 24, 2016.

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.

He recorded four more clean sheets over the 2018 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.