FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – It’s always great to have a familiar face back at Gillette Stadium, but this particular returner built a legacy that never left New England. It’s been more than three years since Matt Turner stood in Foxborough as a Revolution player, and while some may say his return is a full-circle moment, it feels more like the start of something new. Matt Turner is back, ready to write his next chapter in the place where he built a legacy.

“For me, it was always New England. It was always my home. It was always coming back here when the opportunity presented itself,” the goalkeeper said as he returned to the Revolution training grounds as a player for the first time since 2022.

Turner began his professional career with the Revolution more than nine years ago in 2016, and spent all seven of his MLS seasons with the club. After being named 2021 Allstate MLS Goalkeeper of the Year and helping New England secure the Supporters’ Shield that same year, Turner caught the attention of some of the world’s biggest clubs. In June of 2022, he joined English Premier League side Arsenal FC, eventually moving on to represent both Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace in England before returning to the Revolution on loan from French Ligue 1 club Lyon.

Before re-signing with New England, Turner made an impromptu appearance in Foxborough to watch the Revolution take on Inter Miami CF in early July. Fans welcomed him back to Gillette Stadium with open arms, and it was a feeling he said he missed from the Foxborough Faithful.

“I never stopped being a Revolution supporter myself. This club has meant so much to me and to my family. So, all the great ups and downs over the years, winning Supporters’ Shield, and all those memories, are a lifetime’s worth of memories. So, yeah, it meant a lot to us. I think we were sort of blown away by the reception,” he said. “The way I felt the love from them, it was special, and it has been a while since I’ve really felt those arms sort of around me. It was eye opening, for sure. It’s good to be back in an environment where you’re loved.”

After battling for minutes in England, Turner arrives in New England with clarity and hunger. While the love from fans was a reminder of his legacy here, he isn’t just back to relive past glories – he’s here to carve out new ones and return to peak form.

“I’m not here to just parade around and be Matt Turner. I know and I understand that this club is going through some difficult moments this season, and I want to bring that winning mentality back and create relationships that will last a lifetime with the supporters and with the guys in the locker room,” Turner declared upon his arrival.

Turner is a seasoned starter for the United States Men’s National Team, earning 52 caps with the senior squad, including all four matches at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Although he found himself on the bench during the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup, Turner knew that a return to the Revolution wasn’t just about reclaiming minutes ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup – it was about rediscovering the joy he found in New England and reigniting a winning culture in Foxborough.

“Being in New England was the right place for me to continue to hone those skills, to create new relationships, to play games, to find my happiness in the sport,” Turner said. “I think if you look back at some of my greatest national team games, obviously the [2022] World Cup was amazing, but some of my greatest national team games happened when I was here playing in New England.”

For both the Revs and Turner, his return couldn’t come at a better time. As the Revolution look to get back into playoff contention with just 10 games remaining in 2025, wins are more important than ever. Boasting 22 clean sheets and 354 saves through his time with the Revolution, Turner could be the spark this Revolution squad is looking for.

“Matt is a game-changer. He’s one of those guys that can turn a shot, that should be a goal, into a save. We’re continually looking to make our team better, and when we evaluated this scenario, it was a no-brainer,” explained Revolution Sporting Director Curt Onalfo. “We feel very fortunate that Matt will help us with more clean sheets, which gives us the opportunity to win games.”

But Turner’s impact on the squad isn’t just about what he can do in the net, it’s also about the attitude he brings to the pitch and the leadership he provides in the locker room.

“When he plays, the teams tend to do quite well, but his leadership is key. He’ll be a really important part of our locker room,” Onalfo said. “In games, when you have those unfortunate moments, when the momentum is shifting, you need key leaders to step up and help change those moments and turn them into settling the team and then pushing forward to get the results that you need to get. We know his leadership will be invaluable.”

As the league buzzed with news of his return and fans flooded social media with excitement, Turner and his family quietly felt the weight of the moment. Behind the scenes, emotions ran high, reaffirming New England is where they belong.

“When I knew I made the right decision was when the Instagram videos were dropping. My wife and I were getting quite emotional watching it, because it’s just been a while since I’ve been in a situation where I’m getting that feeling of that love and support,” he said with a smile.

Driving up to the Revolution Training Center, a place he saw built and used to visit daily, the nostalgia was undeniable. Amidst the emotions and the memories, Turner’s focus has remained steady. With all the excitement around his return, he knows it’s truly about the job ahead. For the club that helped shape his journey, he does not take the task lightly.

“The parade is all good, but you have to work, and you have to win. I’m eager to get out on the pitch, close this little chapter of the book, and get to work,” he said. “I back myself to help propel this team to win games. I’ve been in late playoff hunts before. I think back to 2019, when we made a big change and were able to make the hunt, and get into the playoffs on a big run. MLS has always been a league of streaks, and if we can get hot at the right time, anything is possible. I’m really excited to see what we can achieve.”