Get the latest Boston sports news
Receive updates on your favorite Boston teams, straight from our newsroom to your inbox.
Matt Turner paid tribute to Revolution fan Malia Jusczyk following U.S. Gold Cup win
Turner, who helped the U.S. advance in the Gold Cup by saving multiple penalty kicks, dedicated his performance to Jusczyk, a Revolution fan who recently passed away.
The Red Sox completed the three-game sweep of the Athletics with a 4-3 win on Sunday. Boston has now won five in a row heading into the MLB All-Star break.
Elsewhere this weekend, the New England Free Jacks won the 2023 Major League Rugby title, defeating the San Diego Legion in Saturday’s championship 25-24. The game was a dramatic clash of the league’s top two teams, with New England inside center La Roux Malan scoring the deciding try in the 77th minute.
And the Boston Renegades advanced to the Women’s Football Alliance final yet again, crushing the Alabama Fire 58-6 on Saturday to win the conference championship.
Advertisement:
Matt Turner’s Gold Cup win came with a poignant dedication: On Sunday, the United States men’s soccer team defeated Canada in a dramatic quarterfinal of the CONCACAF Gold Cup, winning 3-2 on penalty kicks after the two teams were tied 2-2 following extra time.
Goalkeeper Matt Turner, who rose to prominence playing for the Revolution prior to his 2022 move to English club Arsenal, made two penalty kick saves for the U.S. to help clinch the win.
After the game, Turner revealed a message he wrote on the shirt he wore under his goalkeeper jersey: “R.I.P Malia.”
It was a reference to Malia Jusczyk, a Revolution fan from Plainville, Mass. who recently passed away in June at the age of 14 after a prolonged battle against cancer.
Advertisement:
Turner met Jusczyk in 2021 when he was with the Revolution. The two bonded following a game in which he also made a penalty kick save in a win over Orlando City:
Turner explained his message about Jusczyk on Sunday following the U.S. game.
“As professional athletes, you have a platform,” Turner said. “For me, I used to use that platform a lot more frequently, dealing with kids with cancer. There was one I met named Malia, and it just came to my attention recently that she passed away. Honestly I felt terrible because I hadn’t been there as much for her really after seeing her at Gillette Stadium. God rest her soul, may she rest in peace and much love to her family, and know that every day me and my family are thinking of her.”
He also shared a message on social media, thanking Jusczyk for “smiling down on us all.”
The U.S. will play Panama in the Gold Cup semifinal on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
Trivia: According to Opta Stats, Matt Turner became the first U.S. men’s national team goalkeeper to make multiple saves in a penalty kick shootout since 2002. Can you name the U.S. goalkeeper who achieved the feat (also against Canada) in 2002?
Advertisement:
(Answer at the bottom)
Hint: He played most of his career in England, but returned to play in MLS when he joined the then-expansion Seattle Sounders ahead of the 2009 season.
More from Boston.com:
- 4 takeaways as Masataka Yoshida powers Red Sox to 4-3 win, series sweep, over A’s
- 6 things to know about Red Sox 2023 first-round draft pick Kyle Teel
- Celtics reportedly attended John Wall’s private workout as former All-Star looks to land contract
- Grant Williams says goodbye to Celtics, fans on social media
- Titans have reportedly been ‘more aggressive’ than Patriots in DeAndre Hopkins sweepstakes
- With a metal plate in place and finally free of a liquid diet, Red Sox’ Tanner Houck starts return from facial fracture
- Marcus Smart details roller coaster of emotions after Celtics trade
- Jordan Walsh impresses with 3-point shooting in Summer League debut as Celtics encourage him to shoot from deep
- Red Sox reportedly among teams that scouted Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s latest start
- Maine’s Cooper Flagg, Brockton’s AJ Dybantsa among biggest standouts at Nike’s Peach Jam showcase
- Celtics sign guard JD Davison to a 2-way contract
- What is a strike in baseball? Robots, rule book and umpires view it differently
- ‘I have no ego’: Veteran forward Oshae Brissett says he has ‘nothing to prove’ as he joins Celtics
- Takeaways: Revolution lose 2-1 to Red Bulls, Andrew Farrell has last-minute goal ruled out by VAR
Another Revolution connection: Before Turner’s heroics in the penalty kick shootout, the U.S. found a late goal against Canada thanks to a perfect cross from Revolution left back DeJuan Jones, who helped forward Brandon Vasquez (momentarily) break the deadlock.
Wembyanyama showed his potential: After getting off to a slow start in his NBA Summer League debut, NBA No. 1 overall pick Victor Wembanyama found his footing in his second game on Sunday. Though the Spurs still lost to the Trail Blazers, San Antonio fans will be content in the knowledge that the new franchise player put up 27 points with 12 rebounds and three blocks.
On this day: In 1999, the United States women’s soccer team won the World Cup on home soil in front of more than 90,000 fans at the Rose Bowl. After grinding through 120 minutes of 0-0 deadlock (including extra time), the U.S. won the title over China on penalty kicks.
Brandi Chastain clinched it, nailing her kick before striking the now iconic celebration after removing her jersey. Yet as U.S. fans will remember, the game might never have reached penalty kicks (and Chastain’s triumphant moment) had it not been for the heroics of Connecticut native Kristine Lilly.
Advertisement:
Lilly, who remains the most capped player (man or woman) in international soccer history, was perfectly placed on the goal-line during a Chinese corner kick in extra time. She shuffled inside after the kick, and cleared the ball off the line when China’s Fan Yunjie thought she had headed in the winner. Because FIFA had adopted “golden goal” rules in that era, a Chinese goal in extra time would’ve been a World Cup winner. Instead, Lilly saved the U.S. from defeat, allowing for the eventual victory on penalties.
Here’s a look back at the moment, along with comments from Lilly:
Daily highlight: Speaking of the U.S. women’s team, Trinity Rodman scored twice in the 2-0 World Cup send-off win over Wales on Sunday, including this perfectly placed finish in the top corner.
Trivia answer: Kasey Keller
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com