ATLANTA (AP) — Matt Turner was in goal for the United States for Saturday's friendly against Belgium, raising the possibility he has a chance to regain the Americans' starting job from Matt Freese at the World Cup.
Turner, 31, was the U.S. starter at the 2022 World Cup but hadn't played for the national team since a friendly against Switzerland on June 10. Freese, 27, displaced him in goal for the CONCACAF Gold Cup last summer and had made 12 straight
starts, including all six friendlies last fall.
Turner's career slowed following a move from Major League Soccer's New England Revolution to Arsenal ahead of the 2022-23 season. He didn't get into a Premier League match and was limited to five Europa League and two FA Cup games with the Gunners. Turner transferred to Nottingham Forest and lost the starting job midway through the 2023-24 season, was loaned to Crystal Palace where he became a seldom-used backup, then returned to the Revolution last August.
Freese has been the starter for MLS's New York City team since 2023. U.S. goalkeepers were a strength from 1990 through 2018 with Tony Meola, Kasey Keller, Brad Friedel and Tim Howard, but the current generation has failed to land extended starts with top European teams.
Left back Antonee Robinson, recovered from leg injuries, made his first appearance since Nov. 18, 2024.
With the U.S. missing right back Sergiño Dest, defenders Chris Richards and Miles Robinson, and midfielder Tyler Adams because of injuries, coach Mauricio Pochettino started Tim Weah as right back and Tim Ream, Mark McKenzie and Tanner Tessmann as central defenders.
Johnny Cardoso and Malik Tillman were in midfield, Weston McKennie and Christian Pulisic on the wings and Folarin Balogun at striker.
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