World Cup 2022: After ‘punch in the face’ by Wales, can U.S. upset England? N.J. stars could hold the answer

DOHA, Qatar — If the U.S Men’s National Team is to advance out of Group B at the World Cup, the contributions of a trio from New Jersey will be essential.

Head coach Gregg Berhalter – born and raised in Tenafly – will reflect on the second half of the 1-1 result against Wales on Monday, when he admitted his side was unable to cope with the Dragons’ tactical shift after dominating the first 45 minutes.

“They became very direct,” said Berhalter, who played at St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark. “It pinned us back a little bit. There were times we were on our back foot.”

This, after the Americans took the lead when Christian Pulisic played Tim Weah through in the 36th minute for a 1-0 advantage.

Wales tied the match at 82 minutes, when Gareth Bale converted a penalty past Park Ridge, N.J. native Matt Turner, who earned a Fotmob rating of 7.5, second to midfielder Tyler Adams, who was weaned on the professional game in New Jersey — with the Red Bulls Academy and then the team.

Turner warranted the high grade based on a single moment that saved the U.S. from a possible loss and a more difficult position in the group. With the U.S. ahead 1-0, Turner made an acrobatic reaction save off Kiefer Moore.

On Friday, Turner will face England, which scored six goals in an opening victory over Iran, including two by Bukayo Saka, who is Turner’s Arsenal teammate.

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“I think it’s pretty clear he’s one of the young stars of world football,” Turner said. “He’s a top, top player and you don’t need me to tell anybody on our team how much of a threat that he poses in the game. He’s scoring goals in a variety of ways. He’s really developed, matured.”

Meanwhile, Turner’s tale is the sort that finds its roots in Hollywood.

“It puts Rudy to shame,” Turner’s collegiate coach, Carl Rees, said. “It really is a fairy tale story.”

Rees welcomed Turner as a walk-on at Fairfield University in Connecticut but did not insert the backup until halftime of a match against Iona in Turner’s sophomore campaign.

“I wasn’t convinced that the No. 1 goalkeeper was at it,” said Rees, in his 27th season with the Stags. “In my wisdom, I decided to throw in Matt Turner for his college debut. And it didn’t go according to plan.”

Turner, who did not play an organized soccer match until age 16, had a moment that lit up social media once it was unveiled in the ESPN “Not Top 10.” An Iona shot ricocheted high off the cross bar and Turner was caught in between a parry and a catch. Instead, the ball glanced off his chest and into the net for an embarrassing own goal.

“The first thought is, ‘How is he going to complete the game? Will he fall to pieces?’” Rees said. “He didn’t. He made saves, came for crosses, he commanded his box and had good distribution. He got up and got on with it. This is Matt’s strength — his mental fortitude.”

Turner eventually requested a meeting with Rees and the goalkeeper coach and said he believed he should be the No. 1 keeper.

“It was informal, after training and it was, ‘Hey, Reesy, can I have a chat with you?’” Rees recalled. ‘We did it at the foot of the stairs in front of the athletic department. He was drawing attention to us that he thought he was training better. We had already felt that the No. 1 was faltering a little bit.”

Turner was soon given priority in Fairfield’s remaining matches.

As a senior, Turner and the Stags recorded the lowest goals-against average in Division I. Rees recommended Turner to New England Revolution General Manager, Mike Burns. Turner got a trial and was elevated to the senior team, ultimately named MLS Goalkeeper of the Year in 2021. Less than a year later he signed with the EPL’s current front-runners, Arsenal FC.

While Turner is a certain starter for Berhalter, while another New Jersey star, Brenden Aaronson, a backup in the opener, might earn the nod. Aaronson, 22, from Medford, N.J., was called into the Wales match with a third of the game remaining and missed on a shot at the back post. The energetic, crafty midfielder (or wing) could — and perhaps should — start.

The tie, Aaronson said, was “a punch in the face,” because “you feel like you have the game and you’re going to win the game.”

England has never beaten the U.S. in the World Cup (0-1-1), but the Americans will be heavy underdogs. They’ll point to Saudi Arabia’s shocking win against Argentina, and Japan’s upset over Germany.

“When you have a team that’s bought into the same message,” Turner said, “you can beat anyone on any given day.”