Matt Turner’s error last week against Liverpool not only proved costly in the head-to-head matchup but also forced manager Steve Cooper to make a chance this weekend.
Nottingham Forest defeated Aston Villa 2-0 at the City Ground on Sunday, but Turner watched from the sidelines after being dropped from Cooper’s starting lineup. Greek international Odisseas Vlachodimos got the nod in between the posts and registered a three-save clean sheet in the process.
A fifth-minute opening goal from Ola Aina boosted Forest in front 1-0 before Orel Mangala added an insurance tally only two minutes into the second half. Left back Harry Toffolo registered two assists in the result as well.
Turner, 29, was guilty of an error in last week’s 3-0 road loss at Liverpool, racing off of his goal-line in the 77th minute. However, the former Arsenal goalkeeper misjudged Dominik Szoboszlai’s lofted pass, allowing Mo Salah to get on the end of it and slot home.
Turner had made 11 starts across all competitions for Forest prior to being dropped from the starting lineup on Sunday. The U.S. men’s national team No. 1 will now have to wait and see when Cooper calls on him again this fall.
Forest travels to West Ham United on Nov. 12 in its final match before the international break.
Yikes! Matt has curse of Freddy Adu! 🤦♂️
Should be interesting ro see which players get called in in November. Possible 23:
GK: Brady, Slonina, Turner
D: Dest, Scally, CCV, Richards, Trusty, Ream, M. Robinson, A. Robinson, Lund
M: De la Torre, Mckennie, Musah, Cardoso, Maloney
A: Pepi, Balo, Pulisic, Tillman, Paredes, Reyna
U23s rumored to be in Spain at that resort we trained at in 2019. Iraq is one of the matches. I expect Gaga will be there. I think Zendajas over one of your 5 CBs since we’re light on wingers on your 23 if Tillman and Gio play centrally. Of course why not Wes at RW. Not going to bring verticality but would bring innovation.
Well Slonina is our only starter in Europe now. Not good for Turner nor the USMNT. Might be Slonina time now. Would also like to see Celentano start to see more USMNT call ups.
And Chris Brady.
That’s kind of silly logic. Would either Celantano or Slonina start for Nottingham Forest? Did not playing for Arsenal last year cause poor performance for the US for Turner? And Chris Brady? One he’s been off for a couple weeks already. Two he’s a good prospect playing for a terrible MLS team. He should also go with U23s that’s his level right now.
And Forest won and kept a clean sheet. Not good for Matty.