If there’s one thing you take away from Matt Turner’s story up to this point, it’s to dream big.
The Arsenal-bound goalkeeper signed his first professional contract with the New England Revolution just six years ago, but it actually took some convincing, because he was contemplating settling for a job in the business world at the time.
The path, as it has been for much of his life, was not easy. Turner got into the sport late, and it was just something that happened in his teenage years, not necessarily as a passion. The keeper had some success in 39 appearances at Fairfield University, yet he arrived in Major League Soccer undrafted and largely unknown.
Turner couldn’t have imagined what the future had in store for him. He quickly became one of the best goalkeepers in MLS, transitioned into a crucial piece for the United States men’s national team and is now off to join Arsenal in the Premier League.
“Everything worked out the way it was supposed to,” said Turner, who became an Arsenal fan as a kid thanks to his older sisters.
That distinction is important because when asked what inspires him, Turner mentions his family without hesitation. Growing up in close-knit New Jersey, they were always there to pull him up during hard times but also keep him humble. He also already has a support system in London, including a cousin, Revolution goalkeeper coach Kevin Hitchcock’s family, and about a dozen college friends.
Turner spent his final game with the Revolution on Sunday watching from the bench, in what seemed an odd decision from Bruce Arena. Turner, of course, put it into perspective.
“At the end of the day, it’s about more than me. This team has done well this week, got two good results, and Djordje [Petrovic] has been playing well,” he said about his successor. “So, grow him into the role. You don’t need to throw me into a one-off game just to say goodbye. It was a perfect night in every sense of the word.”
Now Turner is off to England. Whether or not the Arsenal move will be ideal for him heading into the 2022 World Cup is still unknown. USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter has already mentioned the No. 1, whoever it ends up being, needs to be someone regularly getting playing time, so that might complicate things a bit for Turner as he gets acclimated to…