Matt Turner’s return to NE Revolution could reignite USMNT goalkeeping race

Matt Turner had only just signed for Lyon when it became apparent he had to leave. Quickly. There was confusion over whether the American goalkeeper had technically joined the Ligue 1 club in the first place, with Lyon facing financial oblivion and potential demotion to the second tier of French soccer as a consequence. Turner’s dream move fast became a nightmare.

After two seasons on the sidelines at Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace, it was understandable why Turner jumped at the opportunity to join Lyon. They are, after all, a team in one of Europe’s so-called ‘Big Five’ leagues, with a track record of success and playing in continental competition.

Last season’s starting goalkeeper Lucas Perri was on the brink of a transfer to the Premier League and so there was an opportunity for Turner to parachute into Groupama Stadium as the new number one. This move ticked a lot of boxes for a player in desperate need of a platform ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Within a few weeks, though, Lyon needed to get rid of Turner. Lawyers were hired to find a loophole in the €8m deal to sign the 31-year-old from Forest. When no loophole could be found, a loan agreement was reached with the New England Revolution to send Turner back to Major League Soccer three years after he left.

In some ways, this move is a step backwards for Turner. He entered the summer hoping to find a landing spot somewhere in European soccer to keep his advantage as the most prominent American goalkeeper in the game. The 31-year-old looked to have found that by penning a deal with Lyon.

By getting tangled in Lyon’s financial mess, though, Turner lost time to find an alternative team in Europe. Most well-run clubs prioritise the signing of a new goalkeeper, if they need one, coming into a summer transfer window. This meant it was slim pickings for Turner as he attempted to escape from Lyon. 

In New England, Turner will be back in his comfort zone. That might not have been what he originally wanted from this summer, but there will be some advantages to being back in an environment he knows so well. Turner played his best soccer for the Revs and he badly needs a return to form.

What’s more, Mauricio Pochettino has already established a precedent by starting Matt Freese in all six of the USA’s matches at the Gold Cup this summer. The USMNT head coach is willing to start a MLS goalkeeper at the 2026 World Cup. Turner might have lost his advantage by leaving Europe, but he isn’t at a disadvantage by being back on home soil.

Freese did well enough at the Gold Cup to bolster his case for a starting spot at the 2026 World Cup. The New York City FC goalkeeper made a blunder in the group game against Haiti, costing the USA a goal when attempting to play out from the back, but he was otherwise solid and made a good impression on Pochettino.

“I think any keeper can make a mistake,” said Pochettino during the Gold Cup when asked about the race to be the USMNT’s starting goalkeeper at the 2026 World Cup. “The most important is to make a decision and translate the confidence and trust, and be sure that your decision was a good decision for the team.”

Zack Steffen could still be given an opportunity to prove his worth as the USA’s starting goalkeeper. The Colorado Rapids shot-stopper might well have been Pochettino’s favoured option at the Gold Cup had it not been for an injury before the start of the tournament. Pochettino could still take a look at Steffen at some point over the next few international windows.

Turner had become something of a liability for the USMNT before the Gold Cup. He looked shaky in a number of matches and clearly needs regular soccer to sharpen his goalkeeping instincts. He will get that with the New England Revolution. Ultimately, has got what he wanted out of the summer window even if it wasn’t what was originally planned. The race to be the USA’s number one at the World Cup is back on.