Despite recent excitement surrounding Matt Freese's performance, particularly his penalty saves during the Gold Cup, veteran goalkeeper Matt Turner remains the preferred choice for Alexi Lalas' best U.S. XI. Lalas, a former USMNT player and current soccer analyst, acknowledges Freese's contributions but emphasizes the need for more than just dependability to secure the starting position.
Turner's experience and established presence within the national team setup are key factors in Lalas' decision. Turner, who currently plays for Nottingham Forest and is on loan with Crystal Palace, has been the starting goalkeeper for the USMNT since his debut in January 2021. He played every minute for the U.S. at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and has consistently been the top choice for the squad. Turner's international accolades include winning the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2021 and the CONCACAF Nations League in both 2023 and 2024, earning the best goalkeeper award in the 2021 and 2023 competitions.
While Turner's club play has seen some inconsistency, with limited appearances for Arsenal, Nottingham Forest, and Crystal Palace, his national team performances have generally been solid. He also won the FA Cup in 2025 while on loan with Crystal Palace. Recognizing the importance of consistent playing time, Turner is reportedly set to move to Ligue 1 side Lyon in search of regular first-team minutes.
Freese, on the other hand, has had limited opportunities to showcase his abilities on the international stage until recently. Although Freese had a viral moment with his penalty saves against Costa Rica in the Gold Cup quarterfinals, Lalas points out that Freese "didn't stand on his head in any of the games" beyond that. Freese started all five matches in the Gold Cup. While Freese's performance in the Gold Cup has sparked debate and earned him consideration, Lalas suggests that he needs to demonstrate more consistent dominance to truly challenge Turner's position.
Adding another layer to the goalkeeper competition is Zack Steffen, who Lalas believes will be a legitimate contender for the starting role once he returns to full health. The presence of multiple capable goalkeepers highlights the depth within the USMNT and creates a healthy competition for the coveted starting spot.
Turner himself acknowledges the competitive nature of the goalkeeper position within the USMNT. He approaches every training camp with the mindset that he needs to fight for his job, recognizing the talent and potential of his fellow goalkeepers.
Ultimately, Lalas' decision to favor Turner stems from a combination of experience, international success, and a proven track record within the USMNT. While Freese has shown promise and Steffen's return could shake things up, Turner's body of work and current standing within the team give him the edge, for now. However, as Lalas notes, the competition is far from over, and the goalkeeper position remains Turner's "to lose".
