Turner’s Redemption

Goalkeeper makes penalty save
after committing foul that led to the spot kick

Right after Ricardo Pepi scored in the 5th minute, the USMNT created two more clear chances with Antonee Robinson and Christian Pulisic missing those chances.

The match shifted back to the home side in the 12th minute when Matt Turner brought down Shamar Nicholson after a slaloming run. A few are at fault before Nicholson even gets close to Turner. It starts with Joe Scally giving the ball away on a pass after Johnny Cardoso intercepted a Jamaican pass. Kasey Palmer played the initial pass into Nicholson, who now just has centerbacks Mark McKenzie and Tim Ream in his way.

Nicholson makes a nice touch and spin move to elude Ream and a cutback on the right foot that leaves Ream in the dust. McKenzie steps over to defend and does well to tackle the ball, but it falls back to Nicholson, who just has Turner to beat.

Turner dives for the ball, Nicholson gets a touch on the ball and the goalkeeper clips the attacker's foot, dragging him down. It appears on replay that Nicholson was expecting the contact as he lunged to poke the ball away from the goalkeeper.

Demarai Gray stepped up to face Turner from the spot. His right-footed shot was struck with some force to the goalkeeper’s right. The shot was at a height perfect for Turner to save. The American guessed correctly, diving to his right to push the shot wide. Turner was pumped after the save, screaming and celebrating with his teammates.

“Needed a play like that for a long time now,” Turner said. The Washington Post

Turner had been struggling for minutes since making the move from Nottingham Forest to Crystal Palace over the summer, playing just 90 minutes so far this season — an EFL Cup Fourth Round match.

“I’m just going to keep plugging away, keep controlling what I can control right now, and when my number’s called, I’m going to play the best that I can,” Turner said. The Athletic

Turner has now saved three-of-six penalties from open play in his international career. He made a penalty save on Trinidad’s Alvin Jones on his debut and last summer in the Gold Cup against Jamaica’s Leon Bailey.