Gold Cup champion Matt Turner's unlikely rise to stardom

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Matt Turner grew up as a multi-sport athlete, but a passion for goalkeeping ultimately led to a commitment to soccer.

That turned out to be a wise choice.

Turner went from being undrafted to one of the top goalkeepers in Major League Soccer. The New England Revolution star was voted by fans as team MVP for 2020, and teammates named him Revolution Player of the Year. On Sunday, he pitched a shutout against Mexico in the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

So, how did he get here?

"There was something about being a goalkeeper specifically that was such a unique challenge, " Turner said in NBC Sports Boston's "Matt Turner: The Last Man" documentary. "There's 22 players on the field, there's only two goalkeepers. It's a small percentage, you're a unique person. And having that sort of control in a sport as a goalkeeper is super, super unique. That was the draw, and that constant chase for perfection."

After an outstanding 2020 MLS campaign, Turner made his international debut on Jan. 31, 2021 with the United States men's national team, recording a clean sheet in a friendly against Trinidad and Tobago. He's won all seven of his appearances with the USMNT with six shutouts.

Turner is looking forward to more opportunities to contribute for the USA.

"I just hope that I can continue to represent my country," he said. "That rush, that feeling is such an honor."

Watch the full documentary above.

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