FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – After keeping back-to-back clean sheets, the New England Revolution saw their 270-minute shutout streak snapped in the late stages of last weekend’s 1-0 loss to FC Dallas. While it was a frustrating setback for the Revs, they were once again buoyed by the strong play of young goalkeeper Matt Turner.
Both teams created their fair share of quality chances in the game, and what the box score won’t show is that many of Turner’s saves came in critical moments, keeping the Revs on level terms.
“We got caught a couple times and that’s why I’m there,” said Turner. “I want my teammates to allow me to make saves. I did that and I thought I kept us in the game for the most part.”
Turner made two tremendous stops in the first half, pushing away a point-blank header from Cristian Colmán and a rasping drive from Roland Lamah, while he was also quick off his line to close down the angle when Colmán was sent clean through.
“(Matt was) very good. (He was) solid,” said head coach Brad Friedel. “He made a couple of – two saves – that I can remember that were very, very good, and one especially in the first half off of a header. That is not an easy save to make. He had another very good game.”
While many were surprised when Turner earned the starting job at the beginning of the season, he’s won the hearts of many with his unique and heartwarming backstory, and also his relentless work ethic that proves time-and-time again why he earned the No. 1 spot.
Turner’s progress isn’t only backed up by Friedel and his teammates, but also by the stats. With six games in the books, Turner has made 22 saves and has a save percentage of 78.75 percent, which ties him in both categories at 5th overall in MLS.
To top that, Turner’s goals against average is 1.00, tied for 3rd in the league amongst goalkeepers with more than one appearance, and he’s one of only five goalkeepers to have saved a penalty this season.
“Credit to him,” said veteran Chris Tierney about Turner. “He’s performed really well and had a great attitude throughout his time here, and it’s exciting to see a guy like that get a chance. It’s always cool to see young players that really put their time in and work hard in training, and get a chance to play, and Matt falls into that category.”
With the 23-year-old just beginning his MLS career, he know there’s still plenty of ways in which he can develop his game, and he’s eager to learn each and every day.
“He’s like a sponge for learning,” said Friedel. “Shot-stopping is something that he can do, and he’s now starting to really learn how to dictate the pace of a game. His ability to come out for crosses, as well. We’re just really pleased with him so far.”
With two shutout victories already under his belt, Turner is tied for the 2nd in the league in clean sheets. While it may be early in the season – and his career – there’s no telling what his potential is if he keeps on this trend.
“Everyone knew his quality in training and everyone was always pushing for him to get the shot, and this year he’s taken advantage of that,” said teammate Juan Agudelo. “I’m really happy for him, and to me – people might think I’m getting ahead of myself – but to me he’s a national team player, just (by) the way that he trains and some of the saves that he’s making in goal.”
