Sports

Matt Turner, Red Bulls-NYCFC, Galaxy, more

June 23, 2022

If there’s one thing you take away from Matt Turner’s story so far, it’s dreaming big.

The Arsenal-bound goalkeeper signed his first professional contract with the New England Revolution just six years ago, but it actually took a bit of convincing as he considered settling for a employment in the business world.

The path, as it has been for much of his life, has not been easy. Turner got into the sport late, and it’s just something that happened during his teenage years, not necessarily out of passion. The keeper had some success in 39 appearances at the University of Fairfield, but arrived in Major League Soccer undrafted and largely unknown.

Turner could not have imagined what the future held for him. He quickly became one of the best goalkeepers in MLS, became a crucial part of the United States men’s national team and has now left to join Arsenal in the Premier League.

“Everything went according to plan,” said Turner, who became an Arsenal fan as a child thanks to his older sisters.

This distinction is important because when asked what inspires her, Turner mentions her family without hesitation. Growing up in close-knit New Jersey, they were always there to pull him up during tough times, but also to keep him humble. He also already has a support system in London, including a cousin, the family of Revolution goalkeeping coach Kevin Hitchcock, and a dozen college friends.

Matt Turner has only been a professional football player since 2016. Now the MLS keeper has left for Premier League giants Arsenal. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Turner spent his last game with the Revolution on Sunday watching from the bench, in what seemed like an odd move from Bruce Arena. Turner, of course, put it into perspective.

“At the end of the day, it’s more than me. This team did well this week, got two good results, and Djordje [Petrovic] played well,” he said of his successor. “So grow him into the role. You don’t need to throw me into a single game just to say goodbye. It was a perfect evening in every sense of the word.

Now Turner has left for England. It is still unclear whether the move from Arsenal will be ideal for him ahead of the 2022 World Cup. USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter has previously mentioned that whoever No.1 is must be someone who regularly gets playing time, which could complicate things a bit for Turner as he acclimates to the Premier League.

Either way, the mission remains the same.

“It’s going to be an incredible milestone in my story, but that novelty is going to fade soon because I understand getting there is going to take a lot of focus, dedication and sacrifice,” Turner said. “I’m going to have to do my best every day if I want to have even a hint of success.”

It’s pretty much like what he’s been doing his entire football career, and it seems to be working really well.

US Open Cup Rivalry, Rout, Cupset

Both New York teams sit atop the Eastern Conference standings, and they had a perfect chance to reignite their rivalry in a playoff game.

Unfortunately for NYCFC, despite dominating with 65% possession, they were shut out and eliminated from the US Open Cup on Wednesday by the Red Bulls. RBNY’s Lewis Morgan continued his great form as he opened the scoring, and 10 minutes later NYCFC’s Thiago Andrade was head-butted and the visitors were never able to recover with a man down.

Wednesday was a standout night for Lewis Morgan and the New York Red Bulls, who outscored defending MLS champions and Hudson River derby rivals NYCFC in the US Open Cup. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Elsewhere, Sporting Kansas City took care of business and demolished USL League One Union Omaha 6-0. But the most surprising result of the week came in SoCal on Tuesday, as the Galaxy were stunned by USL Sacramento Republic 2-1 at home.

Greg Vanney’s team trailed only four minutes into the game as Sacramento brought a different energy to the game. The equalizer came an own goal from a corner, and the Galaxy surprisingly looked like the second-best team on the night. A long shot in the 70th minute, which looked set to be an easy save for goalkeeper Jonathan Klinsmann, ended up being the Republic’s victory.

After thoroughly dominating rival LAFC the previous round, the Galaxy left a great opportunity at a trophy. And again, there are many more questions than answers in Carson.

The last semi-finalist will be the winner of Orlando City against Nashville, which will be played on June 29 in Florida.

Speaking of what…

Nashville home streak ends

Nashville lost 2-1 at home to Sporting Kansas City on Sunday, its first home loss since Nov. 4, 2020. That streak lasted 25 games in all competitions and at two different stadiums. In those 593 days, Nashville SC beat their opponents 51-25.

The streak would eventually come to an end, but SKC’s setback left head coach Gary Smith disappointed with his team’s inefficiency. Aside from the US Open Cup quarter-final, we’re going to learn a lot about Nashville over the next month. The next three visitors to GEODIS Park: Portland, Seattle and LAFC.

Don’t sleep on RSL

Perhaps the hottest team in MLS is the one people don’t pay attention to. Real Salt Lake are quietly off to the best start in club history, with 28 points from 16 appearances, and find themselves right in the Supporters’ Shield mix halfway through the season.

That shouldn’t be so shocking, considering RSL’s run to the Western Conference Finals last season. But they somehow exceed expectations. They are 6-0-1 at Rio Tinto Stadium this year, joining the Philadelphia Union as the only two teams undefeated at home. No name on the list necessarily jumps out at you, but it’s a bit reminiscent of what the Rapids did last season en route to finishing No. 1 in the West in the regular season.

“I think it validates all the work we’ve done since last year before pre-season, and building the culture and really the guys who take it and run with it,” coach Pablo Mastroeni said after a briefing. recent 2-0 win over the San Jose Earthquakes.

Are the stars aligned in LA?

With July fast approaching and Carlos Vela’s contract set to expire, we still don’t know anything about what’s next. Months ago there were reports that a deal was all but done, but Vela himself repeats that nothing has been signed yet. The door is half open or half closed, depending on how you choose to look at it.

Is there perhaps a stalemate due to money and contract length, or is LAFC dragging this out for no good reason? The Black and Gold caused a stir by signing Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini, who might have been intrigued by the idea of playing in a team with Vela.

The feeling is mutual from the Mexican.

“(I hope) he can be the piece we need to take that leap and finally get the trophy for this club,” Vela said.

So everything indicates that he is staying. But until it’s officially announced, LAFC fans will remain nervous.

Matt Turner, Red Bulls-NYCFC, Galaxy, more

US Open Cup Rivalry, Rout, Cupset

Nashville home streak ends

Don’t sleep on RSL

Are the stars aligned in LA?

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