USMNT Goalkeeper Competition Wide Open After Turner's Start vs. Belgium

Matt Turner made his first start since June 2025 as the U.S. lost 5-2 to Belgium.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 1:52am

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In a surprise move, U.S. men's national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino started veteran goalkeeper Matt Turner over regular starter Matt Freese in Saturday's 5-2 loss to Belgium. Turner made several strong saves but also had some miscues that contributed to the defeat. The goalkeeper competition for the USMNT is now wide open ahead of Tuesday's match against Portugal.

Why it matters

The USMNT goalkeeper position has been a point of emphasis for Pochettino, who has relied primarily on Matt Freese since taking over the team. Turner's surprise start against Belgium suggests the competition is still open, with both keepers vying to cement their spot ahead of major tournaments.

The details

Turner made his first start for the USMNT since June 2025, a span of 12 matches where Freese had been the regular starter. While the U.S. lost 5-2, Turner made several strong saves early on before a few miscues contributed to Belgium's goals. Pochettino said he wanted to give Turner a chance to prove himself, with the coach praising the veteran keeper's experience as an asset for the national team.

  • On Saturday, March 28, 2026, the USMNT faced Belgium in a friendly match in Atlanta.
  • Turner made his first start since June 10, 2025.

The players

Matt Turner

A veteran goalkeeper with 29 wins in 52 caps for the USMNT, including starting all four matches in the 2022 World Cup.

Matt Freese

The USMNT's regular starting goalkeeper under head coach Mauricio Pochettino, playing the majority of matches in the last year.

Mauricio Pochettino

The head coach of the U.S. men's national team, who has relied primarily on Matt Freese as the starting goalkeeper but gave Turner a chance to prove himself against Belgium.

Tim Ream

A defender for the USMNT who disrupted early chances by Belgium.

Tim Weah

A defender for the USMNT who disrupted early chances by Belgium.

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What they’re saying

“I found out the day before the game. There wasn't much of a conversation. It was more of just, 'Here's the starting 11,' and I was on it.”

— Matt Turner, USMNT Goalkeeper

“Matt Freese was playing a lot in the last year with us. We thought that it was necessary to provide the opportunity to another keeper.”

— Mauricio Pochettino, USMNT Head Coach

“I had a decent line of sight on the ball, but there's a lot of bodies in the front. I wish I could save them all, but unfortunately for me, I couldn't save that one.”

— Matt Turner, USMNT Goalkeeper

“I don't really know where Tim is supposed to put his hands in that moment. But I'm not here to criticize that, because if I'm saying that was the turning point that decided the game I'd be wrong, because we have to be able to respond to calls that aren't going our way.”

— Matt Turner, USMNT Goalkeeper

“I felt like I did have some really good moments. I was able to make some good saves, I just wish I could have one or two of them back because I don't think the score really reflected the balance or flow in the game.”

— Matt Turner, USMNT Goalkeeper

What’s next

The USMNT hosts Portugal on Tuesday, and it's unclear who will start in goal between Turner and Freese.

The takeaway

The USMNT goalkeeper competition is wide open, with veteran Matt Turner making a surprise start against Belgium and showing both his strengths and weaknesses. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino now has a tough decision to make on who to start in goal against Portugal as the team prepares for major tournaments.