<!–>
AUSTIN, Texas – Without giving away his starting lineup, U.S. men’s national team coach Mauricio Pochettino hinted at where things stand with the goalkeeper situation ahead of the squad’s Gold Cup match on Thursday against Saudi Arabia (9:15 p.m. ET on FOX).
“I think we all know Matt Turner, how good he is, he’s an experienced player,” Pochettino told reporters on Wednesday afternoon. “But it’s a really tough moment for him after one year he didn’t play too much [with his club at Crystal Palace]. I think it’s also a good opportunity to take some of the pressure off of him and give an opportunity to another keeper to show it’s possible to fight for a place in the World Cup [roster].
“The opportunity for Matt Freese is an opportunity that he deserves because he’s played well in his club and of course he’s played in two games [for the USMNT] now, and it’s an opportunity for Matt Freese to see how he deals with the pressure to be No. 1 in the national team.”
Matt Freese started for the U.S. men’s team in the Gold Cup opener against Trinidad & Tobago. (Photo by Howard Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images) –> <!–>
ADVERTISEMENT
–>
Pochettino did not say that Freese had unseated Turner as the Americans’ starter. However, Freese, 26, has now started two of the last three matches. He earned his first cap in a narrow 2-1 loss to Türkiye in a tune-up friendly before Turner resumed his place in goal during a 4-0 loss to Switzerland. Pochettino went with Freese again in the Gold Cup opener, a resounding 5-0 victory over Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday.
Pochettino said ahead of that match that he trusted Turner, but wanted to give Freese more experience. Trinidad and Tobago weren’t dangerous around the goal, though the New York City FC goalkeeper was forced to make a couple of big plays. Early in the second half, he got a hand on what otherwise would have been a goal for the Soca Warriors.
Earlier this month at the start of camp, Turner, 30, spoke frankly about his place within the USMNT’s goalkeeper pecking order.
“I don’t see myself as the ‘No. 1 No. 1’ all the time,” Turner said. “I think that’s my mindset going into every camp right now is that every inch, every opportunity needs to be fought for and every opportunity that I’ve had under this current staff I’ve earned by my performances within training and the opportunities that I’ve had this past season with Crystal Palace.
“I never think to myself, ‘Oh, I’m going to come in, and I’m going to play, I’m going to do this, I’m going to do that.’ And I think anybody could attest to the work that I’ve put in to earn each opportunity I get.”
Turner was the USMNT’s starting goalkeeper during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, at last summer’s Copa América, and he played in both of the Concacaf Nations League matches in March, which ended in disappointing losses to Panama and Canada.
But his lack of club minutes has become concerning, especially with the 2026 World Cup on home soil now less than a year away. Aside from playing for the national team, his last competitive match for Crystal Palace was a 3-1 FA Cup win over Millwall on March 1 and he didn’t play in a league match all season. Turner is reportedly expected to move to Ligue 1 club Lyon next season, the hope being that would result in more playing time.
Matt Turner remains in the mix to start as the U.S. men’s national team goalkeeper, but has found playing time at his club hard to come by. (Photo by Howard Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF) <!–>
–>
Meanwhile, Pochettino could go with Freese again versus Saudi Arabia and potentially against Haiti in the team’s third and final group stage match on Sunday in Arlington, Texas (7 p.m. ET on FOX). If the U.S. continues to advance in the Gold Cup, the opponents will get tougher, and then Pochettino’s decision in goal will become even more fascinating.
Pochettino also mentioned on Wednesday that midfielders Tyler Adams (foot) and Johnny Cardoso (illness), who were not available for the last match, trained with the team this week and could be back on the pitch Thursday. It would benefit the U.S. to get two more experienced players back in the lineup as Saudi Arabia is a “really competitive” side, Pochettino said.
“They did very well, beating Argentina in the last World Cup, and they’ve improved a lot,” said Pochettino, who is from Argentina. “The characteristics of the Saudi Arabia players is fast, good speed, good technique. Tomorrow will be a challenge for us. I think it’s going to be a very good test against a very good team. They beat Haiti, and we both have three points.
“I think it’s important for us to win the game and know that it’s going to be a really tough game.”
Laken Litman covers college football, college basketball and soccer for FOX Sports. She previously wrote for Sports Illustrated, USA Today and The Indianapolis Star. She is the author of “Strong Like a Woman,” published in spring 2022 to mark the 50th anniversary of Title IX. Follow her at @LakenLitman.
<!–>
recommended
Get more from Gold Cup Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
–>
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Where to watch NBA Finals: Thunder vs. Pacers TV channel, live stream, Game 6 prediction, pick, time, odds
Getty Images The Oklahoma City Thunder have a chance to capture the franchise's first title since relocating to OKC on Thursday night. The Indiana Pacers have a chance to force the first NBA Finals Game 7 since 2016. The Thunder enter Game 6 with a 3-2 series lead after back-to-back victories, and they are favored to close things out on the road in Indianapolis.Pacers star guard Tyrese Haliburton is dealing with a calf injury but will give it a go on Thursday night.The Thunder got 71 combined points from Jalen Williams and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in Game 5. The OKC stars are the two leading scorers in the series, with Gilgeous-Alexander averaging 32.4 points per game and Williams adding 25.8. SGA, the regular-season MVP, is the heavy favorite to win Finals MVP (-650 on BetMGM entering Game 6). Pacers vs. Thunder: […]
Dodgers delay plans to help local immigrants amid California ICE raids after federal agents denied entry
The Los Angeles Dodgers put off an announcement for plans to help local immigrants in light of recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids after federal agents were denied entry into stadium parking lots earlier Thursday."Because of the events earlier today, we continue to work with groups that were involved with our programs," team president Stan Kasten said in a statement Thursday night. "But we are going to have to delay today's announcement while we firm up some more details. We'll get back to you soon with the timing." ICE raids have swept through Southern California over the last several weeks at the orders of President Donald Trump, who has called on officials to "do all in their power to achieve the very important goal of delivering the single largest mass deportation program in history." The raids have been met with local […]
André Hernan revela data de apresentação de Hernán Crespo ao São Paulo
Treinador não deverá chegar ao Brasil nesta semana (Foto: Rubens Chiri / saopaulofc.net) Treinador ainda deve demorar para assumir o comando do Tricolor; jornalista revelou detalhes da negociação que o levou de volta ao Morumbi A volta de Hernán Crespo ao São Paulo está oficializada e anunciada, com o argentino retornando ao clube para assumir o lugar deixado por Luis Zubeldía. Mas o torcedor ainda deve demorar para ver o ‘novo velho’ comandante em ação no CT da Barra Funda. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE Somente na semana que vem é que Crespo se apresentará ao Tricolor. De acordo com o informado por André Hernan no Uol Esporte, houve um acerto entre o treinador e o clube para que este se chegue ao Brasil antes do elenco são-paulino se reapresentar para o início do trabalhos para a volta do Brasileirão. A volta aos […]
André Hernan revela data de apresentação de Hernán Crespo ao São Paulo
Treinador não deverá chegar ao Brasil nesta semana (Foto: Rubens Chiri / saopaulofc.net) Treinador ainda deve demorar para assumir o comando do Tricolor; jornalista revelou detalhes da negociação que o levou de volta ao Morumbi A volta de Hernán Crespo ao São Paulo está oficializada e anunciada, com o argentino retornando ao clube para assumir o lugar deixado por Luis Zubeldía. Mas o torcedor ainda deve demorar para ver o ‘novo velho’ comandante em ação no CT da Barra Funda. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE Somente na semana que vem é que Crespo se apresentará ao Tricolor. De acordo com o informado por André Hernan no Uol Esporte, houve um acerto entre o treinador e o clube para que este se chegue ao Brasil antes do elenco são-paulino se reapresentar para o início do trabalhos para a volta do Brasileirão. A volta aos […]
2025 FIFA Club World Cup standings, table: Bayern Munich vs. Boca Juniors, Chelsea vs. Flamengo live stream
The best teams in the world are in the United States this summer as the FIFA Club World Cup brings teams together, from the reigning Champions League champions Paris Saint-Germain to the only amateur side in the competition in Auckland City FC from New Zealand. Lionel Messi and Inter Miami kicked off the competition on June 14, with a 0-0 draw against Al Ahly of Egypt, with every team gunning for a place in the final on July 13 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. With prizes worth one billion dollars on the line, teams like Al-Hilal have been looking to load up for this tournament, but only time will tell if things like bringing in Simone Inzaghi will be able to break the hold that Europe and Brazil have had on this tournament. It will be a wild […]
Luis Suárez passa em branco no Inter Miami e internautas relembram passagem pelo Brasil: “No Grêmio não perderia”
Luis Suárez está no Inter Miami desde o fim de 2023 | Foto: Rich Storry/GettyImages O centroavante uruguaio, que jogou nesta quinta-feira (19), perdeu um gol cara a cara com o goleiro, na partida contra o Porto, no Mundial A passagem de Luis Suárez com a camisa do Grêmio é inesquecível na memória do torcedor tricolor até hoje. Ter o melhor jogador do Brasileirão na campanha do vice-campeonato de 2023 faz a torcida recordar e ressaltar o uruguaio, mesmo quando ele vive um momento individual inferior ao futebol de alto nível que já mostrou na carreira. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE Na partida desta quinta-feira (19), entre Inter Miami e Porto, pelo Mundial de Clubes, Suárez perdeu um gol incrível, cara a cara com o goleiro Cláudio Ramos. Bastou a repercussão do lance nas redes sociais, que os gremistas apareceram para demonstrar saudades […]
Related
Where to watch NBA Finals: Thunder vs. Pacers TV channel, live stream, Game 6 prediction, pick, time, odds
Getty Images The Oklahoma City Thunder have a chance to capture the franchise's first title since relocating to OKC on Thursday night. The Indiana Pacers have a chance to force the first NBA Finals Game 7 since 2016. The Thunder enter Game 6 with a 3-2 series lead after back-to-back victories, and they are favored to close things out on the road in Indianapolis.Pacers star guard Tyrese Haliburton is dealing with a calf injury but will give it a go on Thursday night.The Thunder got 71 combined points from Jalen Williams and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in Game 5. The OKC stars are the two leading scorers in the series, with Gilgeous-Alexander averaging 32.4 points per game and Williams adding 25.8. SGA, the regular-season MVP, is the heavy favorite to win Finals MVP (-650 on BetMGM entering Game 6). Pacers vs. Thunder: […]
Dodgers delay plans to help local immigrants amid California ICE raids after federal agents denied entry
The Los Angeles Dodgers put off an announcement for plans to help local immigrants in light of recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids after federal agents were denied entry into stadium parking lots earlier Thursday."Because of the events earlier today, we continue to work with groups that were involved with our programs," team president Stan Kasten said in a statement Thursday night. "But we are going to have to delay today's announcement while we firm up some more details. We'll get back to you soon with the timing." ICE raids have swept through Southern California over the last several weeks at the orders of President Donald Trump, who has called on officials to "do all in their power to achieve the very important goal of delivering the single largest mass deportation program in history." The raids have been met with local […]
André Hernan revela data de apresentação de Hernán Crespo ao São Paulo
Treinador não deverá chegar ao Brasil nesta semana (Foto: Rubens Chiri / saopaulofc.net) Treinador ainda deve demorar para assumir o comando do Tricolor; jornalista revelou detalhes da negociação que o levou de volta ao Morumbi A volta de Hernán Crespo ao São Paulo está oficializada e anunciada, com o argentino retornando ao clube para assumir o lugar deixado por Luis Zubeldía. Mas o torcedor ainda deve demorar para ver o ‘novo velho’ comandante em ação no CT da Barra Funda. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE Somente na semana que vem é que Crespo se apresentará ao Tricolor. De acordo com o informado por André Hernan no Uol Esporte, houve um acerto entre o treinador e o clube para que este se chegue ao Brasil antes do elenco são-paulino se reapresentar para o início do trabalhos para a volta do Brasileirão. A volta aos […]
André Hernan revela data de apresentação de Hernán Crespo ao São Paulo
Treinador não deverá chegar ao Brasil nesta semana (Foto: Rubens Chiri / saopaulofc.net) Treinador ainda deve demorar para assumir o comando do Tricolor; jornalista revelou detalhes da negociação que o levou de volta ao Morumbi A volta de Hernán Crespo ao São Paulo está oficializada e anunciada, com o argentino retornando ao clube para assumir o lugar deixado por Luis Zubeldía. Mas o torcedor ainda deve demorar para ver o ‘novo velho’ comandante em ação no CT da Barra Funda. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE Somente na semana que vem é que Crespo se apresentará ao Tricolor. De acordo com o informado por André Hernan no Uol Esporte, houve um acerto entre o treinador e o clube para que este se chegue ao Brasil antes do elenco são-paulino se reapresentar para o início do trabalhos para a volta do Brasileirão. A volta aos […]
2025 FIFA Club World Cup standings, table: Bayern Munich vs. Boca Juniors, Chelsea vs. Flamengo live stream
The best teams in the world are in the United States this summer as the FIFA Club World Cup brings teams together, from the reigning Champions League champions Paris Saint-Germain to the only amateur side in the competition in Auckland City FC from New Zealand. Lionel Messi and Inter Miami kicked off the competition on June 14, with a 0-0 draw against Al Ahly of Egypt, with every team gunning for a place in the final on July 13 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. With prizes worth one billion dollars on the line, teams like Al-Hilal have been looking to load up for this tournament, but only time will tell if things like bringing in Simone Inzaghi will be able to break the hold that Europe and Brazil have had on this tournament. It will be a wild […]
Luis Suárez passa em branco no Inter Miami e internautas relembram passagem pelo Brasil: “No Grêmio não perderia”
Luis Suárez está no Inter Miami desde o fim de 2023 | Foto: Rich Storry/GettyImages O centroavante uruguaio, que jogou nesta quinta-feira (19), perdeu um gol cara a cara com o goleiro, na partida contra o Porto, no Mundial A passagem de Luis Suárez com a camisa do Grêmio é inesquecível na memória do torcedor tricolor até hoje. Ter o melhor jogador do Brasileirão na campanha do vice-campeonato de 2023 faz a torcida recordar e ressaltar o uruguaio, mesmo quando ele vive um momento individual inferior ao futebol de alto nível que já mostrou na carreira. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE Na partida desta quinta-feira (19), entre Inter Miami e Porto, pelo Mundial de Clubes, Suárez perdeu um gol incrível, cara a cara com o goleiro Cláudio Ramos. Bastou a repercussão do lance nas redes sociais, que os gremistas apareceram para demonstrar saudades […]
Be the first to leave a comment