by The Revolution formally announced on Friday that U.S. goalie Matt Turner, 31, is returning to the team on loan from Olympique Lyonnais of French Ligue 1.
The loan has a buyout option and is valid until June 30, 2026.
For a former MLS star, the transfer is a full-circle moment.
A Rev once is a Rev forever.He has something to tell you.AirNLwMyeI #NERevs@[email protected]
During his first stint, the 2022 World Cup starter became well-known with New England. Turner joined the organization as an undrafted free agent and went on to become a starter. Turner emerged as one of MLS’s top goalkeepers at the same time as the Revolution’s ascent under Bruce Arena.
This culminated in New England setting a league record for points in a regular season (winning the Supporters Shield) and winning 2021 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year.
Turner made the decision to join English powerhouse Arsenal in 2022. It set off a trend for him in Europe as he struggled to secure a starting position consistently between Arsenal, Nottingham Forest, and then Crystal Palace.
With the move to Lyon earlier in 2025, that seemed to be changing, but another change soon followed after the French team was surprisingly given a provisional demotion by the country’s soccer body in June for failing to handle its enormous debt level. Even after Lyon’s successful July appeal, the focus continued on reducing compensation, including Turner’s despite his recent arrival.
Turner’s return to New England as a Designated Player is noteworthy; this MLS classification means that Turner’s salary is higher than the ordinary maximum salary budget charge in line with the league’s limit. This indicates that the Revolution’s current roster currently contains three Designated Players, which is the maximum allowed by the league. Additionally, Turner’s contract may be switched to another designation (including Targeted Allocation Money) in 2026, according to the club announcement.
A different roster plan (the U22 route, which allocated two Designated Players with four U22 Players) was previously selected by New England. The Revolution still has room for one more U22 Initiative signee after adding Turner and changing the model.
When Turner returns to the club, it is in a much different state than when he left. Along with the majority of his former teammates, with a few noteworthy exceptions, Arena has left (having unexpectedly quit in 2023 after an MLS investigation after insensitive and disrespectful remarks).
In the midst of a nine-game losing streak, club supporters are currently putting pressure on head coach Caleb Porter and sporting director Curt Onalfo. One faction of supporters is demanding that both be fired right away. With ten games remaining, New England is ten games behind the playoff line and currently sits in 11th place in the Eastern Conference.
The Revolution, who are not playing in the Leagues Cup, are taking a brief break before playing D.C. United at Gillette Stadium on August 9.
Since 2016, Hayden Bird has been employed at Boston.com as a sports staff writer. He covers every aspect of New England sports.
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