HEAD TURNER: MATT MAKES CASE AS MLS’ TOP GOALKEEPER

Goalkeeper Matt Turner enters the 2021 MLS season with a compelling
case as the league’s best shot stopper. Despite finishing second in Allstate Goalkeeper of the Year voting last year, Turner ranks atop the charts
in several advanced and traditional statistical categories, including goals
allowed minus expected goals allowed and goals saved above replacement.
According to American Soccer Analysis, Turner’s -7.27 goals allowed minutes expected goals (xGA-GA) was the best mark among MLS goalkeepers in 2020 by a margin of 1.96.
MLS 2020 LEADERS: GOALS MINUS EXPECTED GOALS
Rank Player Club G-xG

1. Matt Turner New England -7.27
2. Sean Johnson New York City -5.31
3. Clement Diop Montreal -3.90
4. Dayne St. Clair Minnesota -3.60
5. Alex Bono Toronto -3.46

The six-year veteran also posted outstanding numbers by traditional
metrics. He anchored New England to a new club record for best goalsagainst average (1.09) in a single season, set a new career high with six
shutouts – two shy of the league lead – despite the shortened season, and
conceded only 24 goals through 22 starts. He finishing the year ranked
among the top five league-wide in saves and saves percentage.
MLS 2020 LEADERS: SAVES PERCENTAGE
Rank Player Club Saves %

1. Jimmy Maurer Dallas 79.4
2. Andre Blake Philadelphia 77.8
3. Dayne St. Clair Minnesota 76.2
4. Sean Johnson New York City 75.7
5. Matt Turner New England 75.6

Turner parlayed his 2020 performance in MLS into his first career international cap with the United States Men’s National Team. USMNT Head
Coach Gregg Berhalter gave Turner the starting shirt for the team’s
friendly against Trinidad & Tobago on Jan. 31, and Turner recipcorated by
posting a shutout and delivering a signature penalty save to preserve the
clean sheet. He is the only USMNT goalkeeper to save a penalty on his
debut in the modern era.
With the United States slated to play in several high-profile competitions
in 2021, including Concacaf Nations League, Concacaf Gold Cup, and
FIFA World Cup Qualifying, Turner will look to add more caps in the year
ahead.

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