AUSTIN, Texas – Without revealing his starting lineup, United States men’s national team coach Mauricio Pochettino hinted at the goaltending situation before the team’s match. Gold Cup Thursday’s game 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 difficult moment for him after a year where he didn’t play too much (with his club at Crystal Palace). I think it’s also a good opportunity to take some pressure off him and give another goalkeeper the opportunity to show that it’s possible to fight for a place in the championship. World Cup (list).
“The opportunity for Matt Freese It’s an opportunity he deserves because he’s played well at his club and of course he’s played two games (for the USMNT) now, and it’s an opportunity for Matt Freese to see how he handles the pressure of being No. 1 in the national team.
Matt Freese started for the U.S. men’s team in the Gold Cup opener against Trinidad and Tobago. (Photo by Howard Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images)
Pochettino didn’t say Freese overthrew 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 defeat to Turkey in a tune-up friendly before Turner regained his place in goal in a 4–0 defeat to Switzerland. Pochettino again accompanied Freese in the opening match of the Gold Cup, a resounding 5-0 victory over Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday.
Pochettino said before this match that he trusted Turner, but wanted to give Freese more experience. Trinidad and Tobago were not dangerous around the goal, although the New York City FC The goaltender was forced to make some big plays. Early in the second half, he got his hands on what otherwise would have been a goal for the Soca Warriors.
Earlier this month, at the start of camp, Turner, 30, spoke candidly about his place in the USMNT’s goalkeeping hierarchy.
“I don’t think of myself as ‘No. 1 No. 1’ all the time,” Turner said. “I think my mindset in every camp at the moment is that every inch, every opportunity has to be fought for and every opportunity I’ve had under this current team, I’ve earned through my performances in training and the opportunities I had last season with Crystal Palace.
“I never say 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 anyone could attest to the work I put in to earn every opportunity that comes my way.”
Turner was the USMNT’s starting goalkeeper at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, last summer’s Copa América, and he played in both Concacaf Nations League matches in March, which ended in disappointing losses to Panama and Canada.
But his lack of club minutes has become a concern, especially with the 2026 World Cup at home less than a year away. As well as playing for the national team, his last competitive match for Crystal Palace was a 3-1 win. FA Cup victory against Millwall on March 1 and he has not played a league match all season. Turner is expected to join Ligue 1 club Lyon next season, with the hope that this would result in more playing time.
Matt Turner remains on the roster to start as goalkeeper for the United States men’s national team, but he is having trouble finding playing time at his club. (Photo by Howard Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)
Meanwhile, Pochettino could accompany Freese again against Saudi Arabia and potentially against Haiti in the team’s third and final group stage match Sunday in Arlington, Texas (7 p.m. ET on FOX). If the United States continues to progress in the Gold Cup, the opponents will become tougher, and 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 was unavailable in the last game, practiced with the team this week and could be back on the field Thursday. It would be beneficial for the United States to return two experienced players to the squad because Saudi Arabia is a “really competitive” team, Pochettino said.
“They did very well, beating Argentina in the last World Cup, and they have improved a lot,” said Pochettino, originally from Argentina. “The characteristics of the Saudi players are fast, good speed, good technique. Tomorrow will be a challenge for us. I think it will 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 it’s going to be a very tough game.”
Laken Litman covers college football, college basketball and soccer for FOX Sports. She has previously written for Sports Illustrated, USA Today and The Indianapolis Star. She is the author of “Strong Like a Woman,” published in spring 2022 on the 50th anniversary of Title IX. Follow her on @LakenLitman.
