USMNT goalkeeper competition wide open after Matt Turner starts vs. Belgium
ATLANTA — In a surprise to most, Matt Turner was back between the pipes for the Stars and Stripes. On Saturday night in Atlanta, the U. S.
men’s national team faced Belgium in the first of two friendlies at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. For the first time in 12 matches, the U. S.
XI didn’t include Matt Freese. Instead, Turner made his first start since June 10, 2025. “I found out the day before the game,” Turner said.
“There wasn’t much of a conversation. It was more of just, ‘Here’s the starting 11,’ and I was on it. ” A former fixture at goalkeeper with 29 wins in 52 caps, Turner started all four matches in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
However, head coach Mauricio Pochettino has leaned on New York City FC’s Freese for the majority of his tenure. On Saturday, he wanted to give Turner a chance to prove himself. “Matt Freese was playing a lot in the last year with us,” Pochettino said.
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