Matt Turner Faces Uncertain Future with USMNT and New England Revolution

Former USMNT midfielder Stu Holden has raised concerns over the situation of Matt Turner, whose lack of consistent minutes could jeopardize his place in the United States Men’s National Team setup ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Turner, currently on loan from Olympique Lyonnais to New England Revolution, finds himself in a difficult position. If he remains with the MLS club, he will likely not feature in any competitive matches until February or March 2026, as the MLS offseason continues.

“More concerning for Matt Turner is a recent article in The Athletic, which mentioned that he is training with Crystal Palace, a team he was previously contracted with,” Holden said on the State of the Union podcast. “He’s working to stay sharp for the November window, but when the roster was released, his name wasn’t there.”

Turner’s Playing Time Woes Deepen

The 29-year-old goalkeeper joined New England on loan in August 2025 to regain rhythm and regular playing time after struggling for opportunities in France. Since rejoining the Revolution, Turner has played 10 matches, conceding 16 goals and keeping two clean sheets for a side that ultimately missed the MLS playoffs.

However, Holden fears that Turner’s lack of competitive action could cost him more than just form:

“In my opinion, Matt Turner is not just on the outside looking in for the starting job — he’s at risk of missing out on the roster altogether,” Holden said. “For a goalkeeper, that kind of inactivity is dangerous. The only thing he can do is have an outstanding start when the season resumes.”

USMNT Goalkeeper Picture Shifts

Turner’s uncertain situation coincides with a changing landscape in the U.S. goalkeeping ranks. Mauricio Pochettino, now overseeing the national team setup, recently called up Matt Freese (NYCFC), Roman Celentano (FC Cincinnati), Jonathan Klinsmann (Cesena), and Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew) — a clear signal that competition for roster spots is intensifying.

For Turner, once regarded as the USMNT’s first-choice keeper, regaining form and visibility will be essential in the coming months. His time away from consistent match action, coupled with new names emerging in the pool, makes his path back into contention increasingly difficult.

As Holden concluded:

“Matt’s a great professional, but he needs minutes. The longer he’s inactive, the harder it becomes to justify his selection. This next MLS season will be crucial for him.”