FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – After months of talking about a possible World Cup return, the moment has finally arrived for Matt Turner. It’s been almost four years since Turner helped lead the United States to the Round of 16 at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and he’ll have the chance once more to perform on the world’s biggest stage after being named to the United States’ 2026 roster. For Turner, that reality was shaped in New England.
Ten years ago, Turner arrived at the New England Revolution as an undrafted free agent out of Fairfield University, where he had made the team as a walk-on. He was in goal when the Revs won the 2021 Supporters’ Shield, a season that earned him MLS Goalkeeper of the Year honors. He then went on to Europe to compete for some of the best clubs in the world. Now, every step has led him back to the Revolution – and to representing his country on home soil.
“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. No one likes an underdog story like the people of New England,” Turner said as he reflected on his decade-long journey with the Revolution.
In preparation for the 2026 tournament, Turner made his way back to the place that first believed in him. After rising to stardom and weathering the highs and lows of playing abroad, he knew that New England was where he could rediscover his best form. Since rejoining the Revolution last August, Turner has done exactly that and ranks statistically among the top goalkeepers in the league, becoming a catalyst for the resurgent Revs squad that has emerged as one of the strongest teams in the Eastern Conference.
“I want what’s best for everybody on my team because I want to win. I think when you start winning games, that’s when people start taking note. For me, in my career, I know that everything good happened for me once the team here started winning a lot of games,” he explained. “It’s been great to be in the position that we are in right now, and to feel those moments of coming up big when the lights are the brightest. Those are the things that I will probably take with me to the National Team.”
But for Turner, it was never just about returning to his roots; it was also about reuniting with Revolution goalkeeper coach Kevin Hitchcock, who saw something special in him when few else did.
“My life really changed when Kevin Hitchcock came in 2019. After one training session, he looked at me and said, ‘You could 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. Sometimes when you’re a player, you just need that one person to really believe in you,” he said. “It’s been amazing working with him again. He’s really just peeled back the layers of the onion in terms of my goalkeeping, stripped things back and rebuilt things in a confident way for me. The support, the belief that he has in me is tremendous. It’s great to be in an environment where every day you are being challenged, because Kevin knows the level that I can play at. He’s driving me to try and be there.”
With 61 saves this season, three clean sheets, and a 78.2 save percentage, Turner’s stats prove that he has earned his place to represent the United States. He’ll join the World Cup squad for training, as he now focuses his efforts on securing his spot in the starting XI.
The U.S. will play two friendly matches ahead of the World Cup, taking on Senegal on May 31 and Germany on June 6. Competing in Group D of the tournament, the United States will begin their quest for the trophy on June 12 against Paraguay in Los Angeles, California.
While only time will tell if Turner will be on that pitch next month, he, along with the entire Revolution organization, have an unwavering belief in his ability to be number one.
“Hopefully, Matt’s going to have the opportunity to play and to continue the great form that he’s currently having with us,” said head coach Marko Mitrović. “Matt has qualities as a goalkeeper to perform on the highest level. What Matt’s doing so great is he’s doing his best day after day, coming here always with a great working mindset, always focused on his work. Now working with Matt closely over the last four or five months, I haven’t seen a single time where Matt is trying to take any shortcuts in his work.”
As fans across the world get ready to cheer on their countries, New England – where seven games will be hosted in Foxborough – knows one thing for certain: there is only one Matt Turner.
