For Matt Turner, a return to the New England Revolution isn’t only a matter of re-establishing himself because the U.S. males’s nationwide crew beginning goalkeeper forward of subsequent summer time’s FIFA World Cup. It’s a homecoming.
And so the Revolution welcomed again Turner, the membership he first joined undrafted in 2016 and represented till 2022, at his introductory press convention inside Gillette Stadium on Monday morning.
Over the previous three years, he’s moved throughout the English Premier League — from Arsenal to Nottingham Forest and on mortgage with Crystal Palace — and he and his spouse, Ashley, have welcomed each a son and a daughter.
“As you may see, I’ve a good looking household now — a much bigger assist group than I ever might’ve imagined after I first joined the Revs again in 2016,” Turner mentioned Monday, along with his household in attendance. “Ten years later, life seems to be actually totally different.”
That’s not all that’s modified. When he left New England for Arsenal on a $6 million switch, his star was ascending: He was enroute to beginning all 4 of the U.S.’s video games on the 2022 FIFA World Cup; had simply helped the Revolution win the 2021 Supporters’ Defend; and was the reigning MLS All-Star Recreation MVP and MLS Goalkeeper of the 12 months.
As we speak, Turner, 31, stays on the U.S. nationwide crew, however misplaced his beginning spot earlier this summer time on the CONCACAF Gold Cup, the place the People completed second to rivals Mexico with New York Metropolis FC’s Matt Freese in web. Extra uncertainty adopted Turner into July, as France’s Olympique Lyonnais tried to desert signing him from Nottingham Forest amid the membership’s monetary turmoil and managerial adjustments.
Turner’s time in Europe — which noticed promising begins flip into restricted minutes — didn’t unfold as anticipated. However the expertise gave him perspective. His conversations with U.S. nationwide crew coach Mauricio Pochettino supplied him with wanted encouragement.
“My European journey didn’t go completely to plan, however I realized so much alongside the way in which,” Turner mentioned. “I had some misfortunes, and there have been alternatives I didn’t profit from. Nonetheless, I began my household whereas I used to be over there, and I’ve zero regrets.
“Typically you’re caught in a cycle, and also you want somebody that can assist you snap out of it. That’s what [Pochettino] did for me — he helped me step again and see issues from a brand new perspective.”
The Revolution stepped into the void and organized a rendezvous with Turner, signing him final Friday on mortgage by way of 2025, with an possibility to purchase him completely in 2026. He’s on mortgage from OL, which was pressured to finish his $8 million buy from Nottingham Forest final week.
“Credit score to the employees right here — [Sporting Director Curt Onalfo], [Assistant Sporting Director] Chris Tierney, [Technical Director] Remi Roy — they had been monitoring my state of affairs and stayed in contact with my agent through the years,” Turner mentioned. “For me, it was all the time New England. It all the time felt like residence. When the chance got here up, it was the precise time for us.”
A lot has modified for the Revolution, too. New England (6-11-7, 25 factors) has seen its playoff hopes drop and each its supporters teams have known as for the firings of Onalfo and head coach Caleb Porter. The membership has undergone a significant rebuild since parting methods with head coach/sporting director Bruce Area — who was on the helm when Turner left — in September 2023.
However Turner has additionally by no means been too distant. He visited the Revolution coaching middle through the European offseason, and attended the Inter Miami sport at Gillette Stadium on July 9. Followers even began cheering his identify after they noticed him seated along with his household alongside the sideline.
“Even after I left, I by no means stopped being a Revolution supporter,” Turner mentioned. “This membership means a lot to me and my household. Profitable the Supporters’ Defend…these reminiscences stick with you for all times.
“We had been truthfully blown away by the reception on the Miami sport…Strolling in entrance of the supporters — I’ll admit, I used to be nervous. I used to be sweating simply desirous about it. However the love we felt that day was particular. It had been a very long time since I felt that sort of embrace from a crowd.”
Turner can be obtainable for choice on Saturday because the Revolution host DC United and look to snap their nine-match winless slide and a seven-game winless run at residence, presently the worst in franchise historical past at Gillette Stadium.
“It’s good to be again in a spot the place I do know I’m cherished,” Turner mentioned. “That mentioned, I’m not right here to only take a lap. I’m right here to work. I do know the membership goes by way of a tricky stretch this season, and I wish to convey again that successful mentality.
“This membership has modified since I left in 2022. We’re in a playoff hunt — presently beneath the road — however I completely again myself to assist us win video games. I’ve been a part of late playoff pushes earlier than… MLS is a league of streaks. If we get sizzling on the proper time, something is feasible — and I’m actually excited to see what we are able to accomplish.”
Notably, Turner didn’t shut the door on returning to Europe sooner or later and referred to beginning in subsequent summer time’s World Cup — which the U.S. will co-host with Mexico and Canada — as his final goal. He has Pochettino’s assist as he seems to be to regain the beginning position for the U.S.
“Now, this journey, coming again to New England feels proper,” Turner mentioned. “It offers me the chance to hone my abilities, construct new connections, play commonly, and rediscover pleasure within the sport. Once I’m completely satisfied, I play my greatest — for each membership and nation.
“And truthfully, in case you look again at a few of my greatest performances with the nationwide crew, positive, the World Cup was superb — however quite a lot of my strongest video games occurred whereas I used to be right here in New England.”
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