U.S. goalkeeper Matt Turner spoke with WTOP about the Stars and Stripes' preparations for the friendly at Commander's Field and his thoughts on playing in the Copa America.
The U.S. Men's Soccer National Team arrived in the Washington, D.C. area earlier this week to begin preparations for a summer packed with key matches leading up to the 2026 World Cup, and Matt Turner is ready to wear the Stars and Stripes and compete against some of the best players in the world.
The 30-year-old goalkeeper comes into camp looking to extend his stellar performance with the U.S. National Team. Turner has appeared in 38 games for the U.S., starting all four games at the 2022 World Cup and recording 23 clean sheets. He led the U.S. to two CONCACAF Nations League titles and a Gold Cup victory in 2021, earning a Gold Glove award as the tournament's best goalkeeper.
Turner comes to DC after a tough season with English Premier League side Nottingham Forest, where he kept just two clean sheets and was even benched at one point, and faces competition for a long-term starting spot on the U.S. team with the emergence of Olympic-bound Ethan Holbert and a host of other young goalkeepers.
But the New Jersey native told WTOP he welcomes the challenge during a busy summer, when the U.S. will train in the Washington, D.C. area for the next two weeks before playing in international friendlies against South American teams: Colombia at Commander's Field on June 8 and Brazil in Orlando on June 12.
The matches are in preparation for a special edition of the Copa America tournament, which usually features only South American teams but this year will also feature North American teams. The United States will begin group play against Bolivia on June 23.
Turner, along with Holbert, met with local young players at Bowlero Tysons Corner in Virginia as part of the kickoff event for Copa Tysons, a local campaign that will entice fans to watch the game at the restaurant with several soccer-themed events, including an outdoor screening of the 2024 UEFA Europa League final.
After the event, Turner spoke to WTOP about the team's preparations for the friendly at Commander's Field and his thoughts on playing in the Copa America.
Goalkeeper Matt Turner speaks to WTOP before the USA friendly in Landover.
The transcript below has been lightly edited for clarity.
Jose UmañaFirst of all, how does it feel now that you're all here together and preparing not only for Colombia but also for the Copa America?
Matt Turner: It's always special to get back together. The first few days are going to be about meeting the guys again, re-bonding and really getting to work. Some of us have been on an extended break. We know there's a lot of work to do before we take to the pitch against Colombia. But we know what we have to do and we're very excited.
Umanya: It's tough for you, especially with the goalkeeper and the other guys joining in. How has the battle been so far? So how does it feel now that you're ready to fight for your position?
Turner: It's that time for me. I feel like when I play for the national team, I always have to give my best. With guys like Ethan (Holbert), Sean (Johnson), Gaga (Slonina) and Patrick Schulte coming up. For me, when I have the opportunity to play for the national team, it's important not just to play, but to train well and give my best effort and energy every time I step on the pitch. So, I feel good. The battle is definitely heating up. The more guys we have in camp, the more we're going to give it our all.
UmanyaSpeaking of more players coming to camp, are there any players you're excited to see that you haven't had much time to play with as teammates before?
Turner: Well, I spent a lot of time with Ethan at Nottingham Forest and in training over the years. So it's really great to train with him again. We know how to push each other's buttons and make each other better. So we have a really great relationship. It'll be great to see him again and catch up. I'm looking forward to being with everyone. This isn't like a team where you have one or two friends in your pocket. Everyone sticks with everyone so it's a really special environment to be a part of.
UmanyaAmerica is a big country to start this “summer of soccer” in the capital. As a player and part of the starting lineup of the team, how do you feel about starting the games in the capital?
Turner: I've never played in a national team game here before, so I'm really excited. Of course, there's a lot of history here and a lot of important people and figures in our country. It's really an honor to represent the Stars and Stripes in Washington, DC.
UmanyaYou guys are at this event at Bowlero. How did it feel to see all these young fans so excited to meet you and asking you to sign every little thing?
Turner: Yeah, it's really special. I may not have been a big soccer fan growing up, but I was that kid. I wanted to meet professional athletes. And those encounters really had a lasting impact on my life. I still remember them now, almost 30 years old. So if we can give kids a lifetime of memories here, especially around the beautiful game, that's a win for me.
member USAEthan Holbert and Matt Turner met with young soccer fans at Bowlero at Tysons Galleria. FollowCopa Tysons kickoff event. Follow pic.twitter.com/rPHDT3yRUe
— Jose Mauricio Umaña (@Jose_M_Umana) May 29, 2024
UmanyaYou will play at the Colombian (Commanders) field. What are your expectations? Of course it is a friendly match, but what do you want to gain from a match against such an opponent before the Copa America?
TurnerThey're a great team, and to be honest, they're probably the team in their camp that expects to have a say in who wins the Copa America. So for us, it's really important to test ourselves against the elite, win games and really get a feel for what the Copa America will be like. What will the crowd be like, will there be a lot of Colombians, will there be a lot of Americans? We haven't had a lot of experience playing South American teams recently, so we'll need to get a feel for all that.
Umanya: So how excited are you for the Copa America?
Turner: We're very excited. It's going to be very special for us. We know how much it means in the locker room and also to our fans and our people. Obviously, the United States is a big melting pot, so doing well in the Copa America would be a pretty big point of pride for a large part of the country.
Umanya: So what would you say to American fans who haven't yet decided to buy tickets to watch a game at Commander's Field?
Turner: Please come along! It's going to be a great match. It's the first time we've all been together. It's going to be a great atmosphere. There are only a few tickets left. If you want to be part of something special, please come along.
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