Freese or Turner? USA's World Cup No. 1 still undecided three days before Paraguay opener

Mauricio Pochettino has not told either of his goalkeepers who will start the United States’ World Cup group-stage opener against Paraguay in Los Angeles on Friday, leaving Matt Freese and Matt Turner to prepare as though both could play.

The two keepers trained side by side at the USMNT’s base in Irvine, California on Tuesday, working under goalkeeper coaches Toni Jimenez and Jack Robinson with the question of who starts still officially unanswered. The expectation within the camp is that Freese will get the nod, but Turner — who started every game in Qatar four years ago — confirmed no decision has been communicated.

“Being ready for if my number is called and just training every day, preparing for every game like I’m playing, regardless of what the coach ultimately decides here,” Turner said. “I think the coach will always pick the guy that’s playing the best, and he’s going to make the right decision for the team. Whatever my role is going to be, I’m going to be ready to do it to the best of my ability.”

Turner’s record in 2022 was formidable. He kept a clean sheet against England — one of the tournament favourites — to help the United States advance to the knockout round. That experience, however, may not be enough to reclaim the starting spot this time around.

Freese has been Pochettino’s preferred choice for the better part of a year, ever since the coach handed the then-26-year-old his first competitive start at the Concacaf Gold Cup. Freese responded by carrying a heavily depleted U.S. side — missing Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Folarin Balogun, Sergiño Dest and Antonee Robinson among others — all the way to the final against Mexico, winning a penalty shootout over Costa Rica along the way, with former Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas on the opposing side. He has started almost every game since, with Turner largely on the bench.

For Freese, the uncertainty is simply part of the job.

“You work for the opportunity, but you never know if it’s going to come,” the Harvard graduate said. “As a competitor, you always want to be on the field, always want to help the team in whatever capacity. Whatever I’m called upon to do, I’m ready to do.”

Pochettino is expected to name his lineup before Friday’s match, which kicks off the co-hosts’ campaign in front of what promises to be a packed crowd at SoFi Stadium.