FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – While the New England Revolution’s unprecedented 2020 season has been anything but conventional, there has been a consistent key player who has continually brought his best every single match.
Goalkeeper Matt Turner has been a critical piece of the Revs’ starting lineup, playing 22 of 23 games this year. Turner led the team to a new club record for the lowest goals against average in history, with only 1.08 goals allowed per game. The 26-year-old also set a new personal record with six shutouts in a single season.
It’s not only that Turner comes up with saves when the squad needs them, but it’s also the variety of saves, diving left or right, tipping the ball over the crossbar, or charging off his line, that allows the goalkeeper to be so successful.
When that ability is coupled with his keen sense for the big moments of a match, it truly positions the 26-year-old to be a strong asset to the squad. Both Revolution teammates and supporters have noticed Turner’s quality and have bestowed him the Team MVP, Players’ Player of the Year and Midnight Riders Man of the Year awards.
“It means so much to me,” said Turner. “It really does. I’ve had quite the journey through MLS and even before MLS. I’ve gone through some stuff so it’s really, really nice to be given these awards. They showed me a video yesterday and I was getting emotional. It’s just sort of things coming full circle for me.”
Turner first signed with the Revolution on March 3, 2016, as an undrafted college player from Fairfield University, and after two seasons without a single appearance with New England, earned his chance to prove himself as a starter in 2018.
In only three seasons, Turner has impressed with his skillful saves and in the process, captured the attention of not only Revolution fans, but also all of MLS and the U.S. Men’s National Team.
As Turner was awarded the prestigious 2020 honors of Team MVP (voted on by fans), Players’ Player of the Year (voted on by the Revolution roster), and the Midnight Riders Man of the Year award (selected by the Midnight Riders supporters group), the overwhelming sentiment he conveyed was gratitude.
“To be chosen by the fans and to be chosen by my teammates, it all means so much to me,” said Turner. “That’s just something that I’ll cherish for the rest of my life, to be honest. It’s hard for me to even put into words now.”
“We’re pretty confident to have Turner in net,” said Matt Polster. “Turner is obviously unbelievable and when you have a guy in net like that we’re obviously allowed to play a pretty high line and feel confident.”
One of Turner’s traits that has stood out to allow him to become so successful is his ability to improve upon all of his performances. Throughout his professional career, Turner has showcased the importance of making the most of every opportunity because you don’t always know when your next one will come.
“I think he gets better each and every game,” said head coach Bruce Arena. “He’s still a goalkeeper that’s learning. This is his first full year as a starter in the professional ranks. He’s had 22 regular season games and that’s important for a goalkeeper. I think the consistent playing has been a real plus for him.
“Matt loves to learn. He trains hard, he listens to [our goalkeeper coach] Kevin [Hitchcock]. He learns from his mistakes and he’s been a pretty consistent goalkeeper. He’s a finalist for Goalkeeper of the Year award. Whether he wins it or not, it’s still a big credit for him.”
As the Revolution aim to make a run in the Audi 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs, Turner will inevitably play an integral role for the club he has fallen in love with these past five seasons.
“I’m super proud to be a part of this organization and to be a player for the New England Revolution,” said Turner. “I’m just really grateful and I’ll never take it for granted.”
