Keeping pace: Matt Turner still going strong for Revolution, USMNT

Matt Turner is back in New England for a second stint with the Revolution. (Revolution)

Matt Turner was just starting his final semester at Fairfield University when he received an invitation from the Revolution for a free agent tryout in January 2016. Turner dropped everything, told his professors he’d be back – maybe – and drove up Interstate 95 in his 2014 Ford Explorer.

“It still exists,” Turner said of the vehicle. “I’ve had it for 12 years.”

Odds were against Turner, and the Explorer, still going strong today. Few could have predicted that, a decade on, Turner would have outlasted most of his new-found Revolution teammates, much less be preparing to compete in his second World Cup for the United States.

It has been a remarkable journey for Turner, now donning the No. 1 jersey and contesting the starting spot for the U.S. with former Harvard keeper Matt Freese. Turner went unrecruited while competing in baseball and soccer at St. Joseph’s Regional High School in Montvale, N.J.

When Turner arrived in New England as a Fairfield walk-on in 2012, scouts were flocking to UConn to view goalkeeper Andre Blake, No. 1 pick in the 2014 MLS draft. They failed to notice Turner, who spent two years backing up New Zealand international Michael O’Keeffe, even after a breakout 2014 junior season (13 shutouts in 19 matches).

Bypassed in the MLS draft, Turner had to rely on Fairfield coach Carl Rees, plus a video compilation, to get a look. Rees pushed his connection with Revolution general manager Michael Burns (both played at Hartwick College). And former Fairfield midfielder Justin Thompson, then Turner’s agent, sent along highlights to goalkeeper coach Remi Roy. The rest was up to Turner.