Photo courtesy Mark Thor / Orlando City B
The countdown of the Top 5 in the USL 20 Under 20 series continues with a player who earned high praise in his rookie season for Orlando City SC, has featured continually at the international level for the United States, and last week appeared in his second consecutive Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game.
The youngest player at the club when he signed with Orlando City SC ahead of the 2014 USL season, Turner has quickly become one of the more highly-regarded young players in the United States. A former captain for the U.S. U17 National Team, Turner has also represented the U.S. at the U20 and U23 level, and was a finalist for the USL’s Rookie of the Year award two years ago after making 24 appearances for the Lions in their final season before making the move to Major League Soccer.
This year, Turner has become a key player for OCB in its inaugural season. Showing an improved understanding of his role in the defensive end, Turner’s four goals and one assist show his attacking edge hasn’t been dulled. With the side currently sitting in the top eight of the USL’s Eastern Conference, Turner’s progression as a third-year professional could help the side to a playoff berth in its first season.
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After getting a taste for the MLS level in 2015 with seven appearances, Turner has been working hard to get back into the Lions’ defensive rotation. Turner has made 17 appearances with Orlando City B this season, and has shown he has the physical tools to make it back into the league. The consistency in his game needs to improve, but he has the time to make that happen as he sharpens his game in the USL.