Matt Turner is a 31-year-old prolific American footballer of Lithuanian descent. The 6 feet 3 inches tall Park Ridge native has risen to stardom for being the primary goalkeeper of the United States national men’s soccer team at the Qatar 2022 World Cup and for his career with Premier League club, Arsenal.
With a touch of mastery, a great blend of shot-stopping, and incredible long reach, Matt has turned himself into one of the most celebrated current American goalkeepers. Thus, many people think he has the ability to save anything as far as there is a net. Well, here is every interesting thing to know about Matt Turner, his career highlight, player profile, and several other details that you probably never came across.
The Biography of 31 Years Old Turner
Matthew Charles Turner was born on 24 June 1994 in Park Ridge, New Jersey in America, and traces his ancestry to Lituania.
He grew up in the same town he was born and was raised alongside his 2 older sisters by their parents, Cindy Turner (mother) and Stuart “Stu” Turner (father).
His parents and siblings have been supporting his sports dream. His father even went as far as helping the goalkeeper edit videos to send to colleges with the aim of gaining a roster spot.
Looking at his early life without a focus on his family but his athletic ability, Matt loved and played sports such as baseball, basketball, and hockey.
As regards his education, Turner attended a Catholic School, St. Joseph Regional High School. He then went to Fairfield University. There he made 39 appearances for the Stags and finished with 21 clean sheets.
His youth career also extended to the former American soccer team, Jersey. With the Premier Development League, he contributed to how his team successfully reached the national semifinals in 2014 when he was 20.
What to Know About Turner’s Career
Following his youth career with a number of teams, Turner signed a contract with New England Revolution on a free transfer on March 3, 2016.
His career there lasted only a short period before a loan transfer to Richmond on April 29, 2016, and by the fall of the same year, he again moved to New England on a market value of €50,000.
His market value increased to €100,000 with a move to Richmond on March 30, 2017, and by November of the same year, he made another move to New England for the third time within a year.
This time, his stay there lasted about 4 years before he moved to the Premier League club, Arsenal on a €6.36 million on July 1, 2022.
Away from his club career, Turner has recorded an international career with the American national team on January 31 2021 when he was 26 years old.
His initial career saw him recording clean sheets over and time again and it took only a short period for his contribution to his country and team to be noticed. He was then awarded Best Goalkeeper of the tournament.
Player Profile of the American Goalkeeper
Matt Turner’s Skills and Style of Play
Shot-stopping, quick feet, positioning, angle play, and long reach are the most identified skills of Turner. He has recorded major big saves that other goalkeepers would easily fail. His saving of balls has been described as penchant acrobatic and highly tactical.
Little wonder a Twitting account “@TurnerSavesThat” has been inspired by his aptitude.
The 6 feet 3 inches tall goalkeeper’s great skills contributed to his significant turnout in 2018 when he conceded 5.65 fewer goals than projected. Again, in 2019, he prevented an MLS-best 8.29 goals compared to projections.
With these skills, he is often compared with top goalkeepers such as Lukasz Fabianski and Martin Dubravka.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHV2iilPQl0
Despite the greatness and nods that his talents may have earned him, his passing ability has not been too much great work. Generally, his leg work may be a little setback in his career. The great thing is, he has been able to identify this weakness and has even been outspoken in his work towards working on it.
His Reception
Turner is regarded as one of the most efficient and skillful goalkeepers in the United States and often makes it to this list with Zack Steffen, Ethan Horvath, and Brad Stuver.
Going to his first World Cup in Qatar 2022, United States’ match with England on 25 November 2022 earned him critical acclaim with a remarkably maintained clean sheet.
More to this, he was able to record great statistics of saving 3 goals (2 inside the box), 4 high claims, 42 touches, 20 passes (74.1%), and 12 long balls (5 accurate).
According to Brad Friedel, a coach, former football player, and Turner’s former MLS coach;
He (Matt) is a tremendous shot-stopper, he’s going to be well liked in the changing room no doubt, he’s a hard worker and a very good professional
His career continues to draw attention and his contribution to football with different clubs, including Arsenal and his country’s team, continues to win him nods from people in football and lovers of the sport.
5 Facts About Matt Turner Facts
1. His Real Family’s Name is “Turnovski” Before it was Anglicized to Turner
Matt Turner’s family name was Turnovski (Lithuanian name) before it was changed after his great-grandmother fled Lithuania due to the religious persecution of Jews.
The name was changed to Turner at Ellis Island when they arrived America.
Knowing his Lithuanian root, he alongside his father obtained the country’s passports in 2020.
2. His Sisters Played Softball and Soccer
Matt Turner’s 2 older sisters, Kelly Turner and Michelle Turner played softball and football but did not become professionals. Instead, Michelle took the path of nursing.
She was reportedly helpful in working at the frontline of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic that hit the world in 2020.
According to a “The Athletic” report, his mother Cindy also played softball and was accomplished in her own right.
See Also: Who Is Daniel Owen James: Bio, 2022 Player Profile, Parents, Net Worth
3. He Didn’t Start Playing Football Until He was 14
When many soccer player may have found their love for football at an early stage and even joined teams before turning 10, this was not the case for Matt as he only started the sport at 14.
Even at that, he almost quit the sport, and to make matters a bit complicated that may lead to questioning whether he’ll make it big in the sport, he wasn’t drafted into the Major League Soccer and only made it to the New England Revolution as an unproven trialist.
4. He is Married to a Former NFL Cheerleader
The American professional goalkeeper’s wife is Ashley Herron. The couple was married in 2022, and their son Easton Turner was born on June 29, 2022.
Ashley is a former NFL cheerleader whose career landed her to working in New England. Currently, the Harvard University, as well as Gordon College graduate, works as a consultant, fitness trainer, and founder of Miss Pink Non-Profit.
Also, she had careers as a director of marketing, and senior marketing manager.
5. Matt Turner’s Net Worth
The American incredible goalkeeper’s net worth is estimated at $1.5 million. He has recorded a large part of his wealth from his football career.
His highest transfer fee so far is €6.36 million which could potentially rise to €10 million. This fee has been recorded in his Arsenal contract in July 2022 following the announcement that he would move to the Premier League club in February 2022.
His current market value according to Transfer Market is €5 million. He had previously recorded €175,000, €100,000, and €50,000 market values upon his moving to New England (2017), Richmond (2017), and New England again (2016) respectively.
More into his earnings, endorsements are another vital contributor to Matt’s wealth. He has endorsed BODYAEMOR LYTE Sports Drink and an online food ordering company, Grubhub.
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