Matt Turner receives opportunity to start in goal for USMNT against Belgium.
ATLANTA — Matt Turner was positioned in goal for the United States during Saturday’s friendly match against Belgium, indicating a potential opportunity for him to reclaim the starting role from Matt Freese ahead of the World Cup.
Turner, 31, served as the U.S. starter during the 2022 World Cup but had not featured for the national team since a friendly against Switzerland on June 10. Freese, 27, took over as the starting goalkeeper for the Concacaf Gold Cup last summer and played in all six friendlies last fall.
Left back Antonee Robinson, having recovered from leg injuries, was included in the starting lineup for his first match since November 18, 2024.
With the U.S. missing right back SergiΓ±o Dest, defenders Chris Richards and Miles Robinson, along with midfielder Tyler Adams due to injuries, coach Mauricio Pochettino opted to start Tim Weah as right back, with Tim Ream, Mark McKenzie, and Tanner Tessmann as central defenders.
Johnny Cardoso and Weston McKennie were positioned in midfield, while Malik Tillman and Christian Pulisic played on the wings, and Folarin Balogun took the role of striker.
