Born to Stuart and Cindy Turner in Park Ridge, Matt Turner had a remarkable childhood filled with memorable moments. Matt, who has admitted he was quite a crybaby as a child, often shared stories with his fans on Instagram. One of the more amusing stories involved frequent skirmishes with the family dog.
In one instance, young Matt would fiercely protect his toys, not wanting to share them with the dog. When the dog tried to play with his toys, Matt would stubbornly resist and snatch them back. A photo from that time captures a determined Matt, resolute in not letting the family dog play with his cherished toy.
Young Matt Turner is pictured dragging his toy from his dog. He cried afterwards!
This article delves into the story of a FIFA World Cup goalkeeping hero who initially pursued baseball and basketball. Matt Turner never considered becoming a goalkeeper until one day, when his teammate got injured, he was asked to fill in. From that moment on, Matt embraced his new role, falling in love with goalkeeping and turning it into his profession. Now, let’s dive into the story of America’s 2022 FIFA World Cup goalkeeper.
From Baseball to Goalkeeping: The Journey of Matt Turner, USA’s World Cup Hero
Our Matt Turner Biography tells you Facts about his Childhood Story, Early Life, Parents – Stuart Turner (Father), Cindy Turner (Mother), Siblings – Sisters (Michelle Turner and Kelly Riedel), Family Background, Wife (Ashley Herron), Child (Easton Turner), etc.
This Bio on Matt Turner also details facts on his Family Origin, Lithuanian Ancestry, Religion, Hometown, Ethnicity, Education, etc. More so, the American Goalkeeper’s Personal Life, Lifestyle, Net Worth, and Salary Breakdown.
Preamble:
We begin Matt Turner’s Bio by telling you notable events of his boyhood years. Next, we unveil his soccer beginnings at Park Ridge, New Jersey, and Fairfield. Then finally, how the USMNT Goalie achieved a meteoric rise in his senior career, especially at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
We hope to whet your autobiography appetitive as you read Matt Turner’s Biography. To begin doing that, let’s present you with a gallery that tells the story of the 2022 FIFA World Cup star. Without doubt, Charles, as they call him, has come a long way in his journey.
The Biography of Matt Turner – From his Early Years to the moment of Fame.
Yes, everyone knows he was solid throughout the USA’s group stage at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Matt Turner didn’t only concede zero goals from open play but provided some highlight saves. But roughly nine years ago, he was known to make horrible errors at the goalpost.
In our quest to make the Life stories of USMNT Soccer players available, we found a gap in knowledge. The truth is, not many soccer fans have read an in-depth version of Matt Turner’s Biography, which is exciting. So, without further ado, let’s get started.
Matt Turner Childhood Story:
For Biography starters, Matt is just his nickname. And his full name is Matthew Charles Turner. The American Goalkeeper was born on the 24th day of June 1994 to his Mother, Cindy Turner, and Father, Stuart Turner, in Park Ridge, New Jersey, United States.
Matt Turner came into this world as one of several children born to his parents, Cindy and Stuart. Let’s introduce you to Matt Turner’s supportive parents, Cindy and Stuart, whom he considers his best friends and for whom he is endlessly grateful for their unwavering support in everything he pursues.
Matt Turner’s Parents took this photo with their son on the day he wrapped up his college career. He thanked them (Stuart and Cindy) again for providing him with what he calls the opportunity of a lifetime.
Growing-Up:
As a little boy, Mathew Turner showed the tendencies of a last-born child. As the Goalkeeper once confessed via Instagram, he was a bit of a crybaby who never liked the family dog.
The truth is that Turner never liked the dog to bite or play with any of his toys. Each time that happens, poor Matt begins crying. Here is a piece of video evidence.
Matt Turner grew up in a family of both males and females. He, alongside these persons he calls his brothers, spent their early years at Park Ridge, New Jersey.
For these boys, it was fun growing up together and leaning on one another. Justin Lewis and Stephen Gadže are among the brothers pictured here.
Young Matt Turner and his look-alike Brothers.
The USMNT Goalkeeper grew up alongside his older sisters, Kelly and Michelle Turner. The latter works as a nurse in New York City. Michelle Turner was helpful (in her call of duty) in working at the frontlines to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
Both siblings (Michelle and Matt) are fewer than two years apart in age. More importantly, both brother and sister have an airtight bond that has outlasted their childhood days of growing up together.
Meet Matt Turner’s sister, Michelle.
Early Life:
From the onset, Matt Turner’s parents were determined to give him the opportunity to succeed in sports. It might interest you to know that soccer wasn’t the Goalkeeper’s first sport. As a child, Matt Turner played more of baseball and basketball.
Until the age of fourteen, soccer became more serious for Matt, and that made him abandon baseball and basketball. Matt (at the age of 14) had so much fun at his Saint Joseph Regional High School soccer field, whose goalpost was never adjusted to fit his height.
A throwback photo of Matt making his goalkeeping trade in his first year at high school.
Matt Turner Family Background:
In getting to know about his soccer-loving parents, we’ll first tell you facts about his Dad, Stuart Turner. Do you know?… Matt Turner’s family (from his father’s side) is Jewish.
The Goalkeeper’s surname has origins from the name “Turnovski.” The name was changed to Turner at Ellis Island when his father’s family immigrated from Lithuania to the United States. So why did Matt Turner’s family immigrate to the USA?
It is pertinent to state that the history of immigration to the USA began with the Goalkeeper’s grandparents. Our research has it that Matt Turner’s great-grandmother emigrated from Lithuania to the United States because of religious persecution during World War II.
Do you know?… it was only in the year 2020 that the Goalkeeper and his Dad obtained their Lithuanian passports. Lastly, Matt Turner’s Mother’s family members aren’t Jewish like that of his Father. The family of Cindy Turner are devoted Catholics. Behold the united household of the Arsenal Goalkeeper.
A 2014 photo of the USMNT Goalkeeper shows a close-knit household.
Matt Turner Family Origin:
The native of Park Ridge, New Jersey, has two nationalities, which are the USA and Lithuania. While Matt Turner’s Mother is from the United States, his Dad is of Lithuanian descent. As shown in the map below, Lithuania (Stuart Turner’s family origins) is a country situated in the Baltic region of Europe.
A map that aid your understanding of Matt Turner’s Dad’s origin.
Ethnicity:
From his Dad’s side, Matt Turner identifies with the Baltic ethnic group. And because he is an American citizen of Lithuanian descent, the Goalkeeper is a Lithuanian American. Do you know?… Places like Pennsylvania and New Philadelphia have the largest amount of Lithuanian Americans (20.8%) in the US.
Matt Turner Education:
The American professional goalkeeper attended Saint Joseph Regional High School. This is a private Roman Catholic college preparatory school (meant for boys) in Bergen County, New Jersey. Turner’s parents made sure he attended a school under the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark.
Matt Turner Biography – Untold Soccer Story:
For the USMNT Goalkeeper, the beautiful game (on a serious note) began during his days at Saint Joseph Regional High School. Yes, Matt didn’t play soccer seriously until he was 14 years old. Initially, he only played soccer to stay fit for his main sports, which are baseball and basketball.
Do you know?… Matt Turner was more of an outfield player than a goalkeeper. He (similar to Rui Patricio) saw himself at the goalpost when the only goalkeeper for his team got injured during a tryout. Thanks to some impressive saves, Young Matt didn’t disappoint; that was how he remained a goalkeeper.
From his first official match as a Goalkeeper (at Saint Joseph Regional High School), it became clear that Matt was destined for it.
Matt Turner Bio – Road to Fame Story:
From his first year until when he completed his education at Saint Joseph Regional High School, the youngster (similar to Caoimhin Kelleher) maintained the accolade of being a standout goalkeeper. Moving on from high school, Matt enrolled at Fairfield University for his collegiate career.
Before he began life at Fairfield University, the local papers acknowledged his Goalkeeping achievements. Matt was responsible for helping his team go undefeated in the MAAC Conference, and he also won the MAAC tournament. Also, he had 1.1 goals against average, and stopped over 200 shots, including 50 percent of penalty kicks taken against him.
From an early age, Matt Turner’s achievements have been on the papers.
Turner continued his impressive form during the tenure of his collegiate career at Fairfield University. Just as he did at Saint Joseph, he did his magic – by keeping 21 clean sheets in 39 appearances.
In his years at Fairfield University, Coach Javier Decima transformed Turner. The Fairfield head coach, who is an expert in developing young goalkeepers, gave Matt that spirit of Goalkeeping tenacity. Javier Decima’s role is very much similar to how Freddie Ljungberg impacted Bukayo Saka‘s youth career.
Meet the Coach (Decima) that brought out the best in Turner.
Coach Javier Decima helped Matt to lay a solid foundation in his senior career, which began with Jersey Express, an American soccer team based in Springfield, New Jersey. While there, the young Goalie was instrumental in helping his team to reach the PDL national semifinals in 2014.
Matt Turner Biography – Rise to Fame:
After receiving an invitation and having a successful trial, the former Fairfield University Athlete proceeded to sign a professional contract with an MLS club. Matt Turner joined the New England Revolution on the 3rd day of March 2016.
At the time he joined, Bobby Shuttleworth and Brad Knighton were ahead of him in terms of selection. In order to gather experience and fight for a starting place, Matt Turner agreed to go on loan, and he joined Richmond Kickers – an American professional soccer club.
After his return from loan, the Goalkeeper, who became patient, waited and grabbed the opportunity given to him. The year 2021 became the turning point in Matt Turner’s Life. Alongside his teammate, Tajon Buchanan, he helped his club to win the Supporters’ Shield.
Celebrating the Supporters’ Shield in front of his family was an excellent feeling for Matt Turner.
The award mentioned above is given every year to the MLS team that performs the best during the regular season. In 2021, Matt Turner received numerous accolades, winning six individual honors in the MLS all within a single year.
These honours include MLS All-Star, MLS All-Star Game MVP, MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, and the 2021 MLS Best XI honour. Thanks to these achievements, as listed in the photo below, Turner earned his transfer to Arsenal (announced by the club’s website). Following his transfer to Arsenal, he was replaced by Djordje Petrovic, who joined Chelsea a year later.
At this time, the American Goalkeeper was unstoppable.
National Team Rise:
At the time he made headlines at the club level, Gregg Berhalter took notice and awarded Turner with a call to the US Men national team. The Goalkeeper began his international career with solid footing. Turner recorded a clean sheet and saved a penalty kick from Trinidadian footballer Alvin Jones.
What next?.. Matt started in all six games for the USMNT in the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup. With a record-breaking five clean sheets, he won the “Best Goalkeeper” award of the tournament. Matt, alongside Shaq Moore, Paul Arriola, Kellyn Acosta, etc., helped the USA win the title.
At this time, it became clear that Cindy and Stuart’s son would go places.
In November 2022, Matt Turner became part of the USMNT squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He was part of a USA team led by Captain Tyler Adams, who made headlines in Qatar.
Matt formed a solid partnership with his backline Defence, consisting of Star names like Tim Ream, Walker Zimmerman, Antonee Robinson, Shaquell Moore, and Sergiño Dest.
Thanks to his ability to not get beaten, the USA defeated Iran and drew to Wales and England to get to the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup. The rest of the Arsenal Goalkeeper, as we say, is now history.
Matt Turner’s Wife:
Behind the success of the USA Goalkeeper comes a glamorous woman who has become his life partner. This person is no other than Ashley Herron. Pictured here, she is best described as Matt Turner’s Wife.
Let’s introduce you to Ashley Herron. She is Matt Turner’s Wife.
Who is Ashley Herron?
To start with, she bears the nickname “Ash.” Matt Turner’s wife is a professional Fitness Trainer. Ashley Herron’s Instagram Bio reads that she is a Former NFL cheerleader, consultant, and MBA graduate.
Ashley Herron is also the founder and CEO of Miss Pink Organization. This is a Nonprofit organization that supports breast cancer survivors and their families. Ashley Herron is at the forefront of empowering women through her goodwill efforts.
Matt Turner Wedding:
In May 2022, a month before his 28th birthday, the Shorstopper decided to put an end to his 27 years of singlehood. Matt Turner married his wife, Ashley Herron. Now, here is a memorable photo of that day, taken by Ella Farrell, a Boston Wedding Photographer.
The wedding day of Matt Turner and Ashley Herron (photo taken at Boston Seaport).
Ashley Herron made these statements on her wedding day;
As the day draws to a close, I reflect on how it began. This morning, we joyously commemorated a new chapter under the rising sun in the east—a merging of home and fresh starts. It’s a reminder of the vastness of this world, yet wherever we journey, we are embraced by boundless love and encouragement. Matthew Turner, I cherish you deeply 🤍 Forever, I commit to you ☀️
Matt Turner’s Child:
As you might have noticed, the newly wedded bride (Ashley Herron) was heavily pregnant on her wedding day. Two months after her wedding to Matt, Ash (on the 29th of June 2022) gave birth to their son Easton Turner.
Easton Turner and his Dad, Matt, on the day of his birth.
Personal Life:
Who is Matt Turner?
Aside from his goalkeeping trade, not many soccer fans know that USMNT athletes are gamers. From what we have gathered, Overwatch 2 is Matt Turner’s favourite game. This is a team-based action game where every match is the ultimate 5v5 battlefield brawl.
When he is not between the sticks, Turner goes into gaming.
Matt Turner Lifestyle:
About the way the American Goalkeeper lives, one thing is clear – the fact that he is an antidote to living an expensive life. Matt Turner lives a humble lifestyle that is devoid of showcasing expensive cars and other luxuries etc. Have you seen the Goalkeeper’s house?
Matt Turner Family Life:
The American Goalkeeper is grateful to his Wife, Dad and Mum for travelling to his games to support him. They are not only his partner and parents but best friends. Now, let’s tell you more about them.
Matt Turner Mother:
Our findings reveal that Cindy is a Catholic as well as a sportswoman. Matt Turner’s Mum played softball in her early years at Westwood, New Jersey. She, who has achieved softball success over the years, had previously coached her daughters in the game, which is similar to baseball.
Matt Turner Father:
In 2020, Stuart decided to trace back his roots, which led him to acquire a Lithuanian passport. At the time Matt Turner joined his Dad to obtain his Lithuanian passport, he (in 2020) discovered unseen records about his great-grandmother, who resided in the European country.
Matt Turner Siblings:
Kelly Riedel, who is now married (with a new surname), is one of his older sisters. Unlike Michelle Turner (who is a nurse), Kelly is more of a private person, a parent of two children. She is a believer in these words;
Be happy with what you have while working for what you want. Work hard, Be kind and Be YOU.
While Matt Turner hasn’t revealed more details about his brothers, that of Michelle isn’t the case. Michelle has always been a consistent force in Matt’s life. She, together with Josh Sargent‘s sister (Taylor), are both Nurses.
Michelle Turner attended her higher education online. She did that while working for maximum hours as a nurse to save lives. The entire Turner family is super proud of Michelle’s sacrifices during the COVID-19 pandemic. As stated earlier in this Bio, Matt Turner’s sister was a frontline nurse who worked tirelessly in New York City, which was most ravaged by the virus.
Matt Turner Relatives:
According to the documentation available to us, Laekyn Herron is the Athlete’s niece. Kade Herron is Matt Turner’s Nephew, and Stephen Herron is his brother-in-law.
Untold Facts:
In this section about Matt Turner’s Biography, we’ll unveil more information about him. So without further ado, let’s begin.
Matt Turner FIFA:
Not many soccer fans know his strongest goalkeeping abilities, which he brings to the beautiful game.
According to SOFIFA, Turner excels best in the areas of Goal-keeping, Positioning, and reflexes. This attribute is found greatly in Thibaut Courtois and Alisson Becker – who are among the best Goalkeepers in the world.
The only attribute he (at 24) lacks is his GK Kicking, which is set to improve after his impressive 2022 FIFA World Cup performance.
Matt Turner Salary:
The February 2022 contract he earned (as a backup to Aaron Ramsdale) sees him making the sum of £1,822,800 annually. Breakdown Matt Turner’s Arsenal salary into smaller amounts; we have the following;
How rich is the American Goalkeeper?
Where Matt Turner’s parents live (the USA), the average income earner makes around $69,700 yearly. Do you know?… Such a person would need 31.8 years to make Turner’s yearly salary with Arsenal.
What is Matt Turner’s religion? Is it Jewish or Christian?
Our odds are in favour of him being a Catholic. As stated earlier in our bio, Matt Turner’s parents agreed to enrol him at a boys’ Roman Catholic college preparatory school (Saint Joseph). Very likely, the reason is to incorporate spirituality into his day-to-day activities.
Although at the time of writing this Biography, Matt Turner is yet to state his religion. There are a few blogs that say that the Goalkeeper identifies with the Jewish religion more than Christianity. But owing to his upbringing and Biblical first name (Matthew), the Goalkeeper is likely to be a Christian.
EndNote:
Matt bears the full name – Matthew Charles Turner. He arrived safely on earth on the 24th of June 24th to his Parents – Cindy Turner (Mum) and Stuart Turner (Dad). Turner’s birthplace in Park Ridge, New Jersey, United States.
The American Shot Stopper grew up alongside his brothers and sisters (Kelly and Michelle Turner). Michelle Turner is a nurse by profession. Turner once revealed to his social media fans (via a video of him being angry with his Dog) that he was a crybaby child.
Matt Turner has a Jewish origin. The Goalkeeper’s Jewish ancestry comes from his Father’s side. It came through Matt Turner’s great-grandmother, who (decades ago) fled Lithuania to the United States to avoid World War II religious persecution.
It is pertinent to state that the Matt Turner family surname was only changed recently. Initially, the name was “Turnovski.” It changed to “Turner” at the time his Dad’s family members fled Lithuania to the USA.
Matt Turner’s father is Jewish. His Mum (Cindy) is a devout Catholic. Thanks to Matt Turner’s catholic family faith, he found it easy to attend Saint Joseph Regional High School. While at school, the youngster, who was more of an outfield player, fell in love with Goalkeeping.
Initially, Matt Turner played basketball and baseball as his favourite sports. He only played soccer (not goalkeeping) to stay fit with the above sport. At the age of 14, the Lithuanian American became a full-time goalkeeper after an injury to his Goalkeeping teammate. Since then, Matt (now married to his wife, Ashley Herron) has never looked back.
Appreciation Note:
Thank you for taking the time to read our version of Matt Turner’s Biography. This website cares about fairness and professionalism in the quest to deliver you US Soccer Players’ Bio. The History of Matthew Tuner is part of our collection of North and South American Soccer Stories.
Kindly let us know (via comments) if you find anything that doesn’t look right in our Bio of the Ex-New England Revolution Athlete. Also, tell us what you think about the USMNT Shot stopper who has had an incredible Goalkeeping journey.
Aside from Matt Tuner’s Bio, we’ve got other exciting stories of other USMNT Soccer Athletes. Indeed, the Life stories of Cameron Carter-Vickers and Antonee Robinson will excite you.
