The Fairfield alumnus will be in goal when the USMNT challenges the Netherlands on Saturday at 10 a.m.
After finishing group play unbeaten at 1-0-2, Matt Turner ’17 and the United States Men’s National Team have advanced to the knockout stage in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The USMNT will challenge the Netherlands on Saturday at 10 a.m. in the round of 16.
Turner, who is also the starting goalkeeper for Arsenal FC of the Premier League, is the first U.S. goalkeeper to record two clean sheets in a World Cup since 1930. The Fairfield Stag conceded only one goal total — a penalty kick from Welsh striker Gareth Bale — during three matches against Wales, England, and Iran. The U.S. and Brazil are the only two teams to not allow a goal in open play during the group stages of the tournament.
Turner has recently been featured in the and , both referencing his time with Fairfield Men’s Soccer from 2012-15. At Fairfield, he took over the starting goalkeeper job as a junior, after two seasons behind Michael O’Keeffe ‘13, who represented New Zealand in the 2012 Summer Olympics. Turner led the nation in save percentage and shutout percentage in 2014 and was an All-MAAC Second Team selection in 2015.
