Homegrown Midfielder Fulfills Lifelong Ambition in First MLS Appearance
Gavin Turner signed his Homegrown contract with D.C. United in February 2025. The 18-year-old midfielder became the club’s 21st Homegrown player and made his MLS debut on June 7, 2025, against Chicago Fire FC, fulfilling a lifelong dream to play for his boyhood club at Audi Field.
Despite a poor result for D.C. United against the Chicago Fire, the night featured a proud milestone for the Black-and-Red. Turner entered the game as a 66th-minute substitute in front of the home crowd to complete his dream of making his MLS debut. After the match, the young midfielder admitted he was “really disappointed with the result” but couldn’t hide his gratitude at achieving his lifelong goal.
“I’m really grateful to make my first appearance for my boyhood club, the team I’ve supported my whole life,” Turner said. “After eight years in the academy, I’m really happy about that, even though the result was disappointing.”
On the field, Turner showed confidence and composure in his brief debut cameo, quickly getting involved in the action. He even registered a late shot attempt that was blocked by a Chicago defender. The 18-year-old acknowledged the step up in competition, reflecting that “they’re a good team. They created a lot of chances. It took me a little time to get my feet under me and feel comfortable. I’m just trying to get more game experience so I can continue to improve.”
Turner’s debut highlighted the club’s ongoing commitment to young talent, as he officially became the 21st Homegrown signing in D.C. United history earlier this year.
From Academy to First Team
Gavin Turner’s path to the first team began in 2017, when he joined the D.C. United Academy as a U-12 player. The Virginia native quickly progressed through the youth ranks, and in 2022 he signed an academy contract with Loudoun United FC in the USL Championship, at just 15 years old. He made his professional debut for Loudoun that year on June 8, 2022, as an 89th-minute substitute against New York Red Bulls II, becoming one of the youngest players to appear for the club at the professional level. Turner went on to log eight USL Championship appearances in 2022, gaining valuable experience against professional competition.
Over the next two seasons, Turner continued to hone his game at Loudoun United. He recorded his first professional assist in a U.S. Open Cup match in May 2024 and totaled 18 appearances with Loudoun by the end of the 2024 campaign. His performances earned broader recognition: Turner was selected to the 2024 MLS NEXT All-Star Game as one of the top 44 youth prospects in the nation. He also represented the United States at the U-15 and U-16 youth national team levels, scoring once in five appearances for his country.
For Turner, who has spent nearly half his life in the club’s academy system, finally stepping onto the field with the first team brought an immense sense of accomplishment. “It feels amazing. I’ve been working toward this for a long time, so it’s kind of a relief,” he said when asked about making his MLS debut. “It feels really good to have that weight off my shoulders.”
Carrying the Homegrown Legacy
Turner’s debut is also a proud moment for D.C. United’s youth development pipeline. He is the 21st Homegrown player signed by the club since 2009, underscoring the Black-and-Red’s commitment to developing local talent. Over the years, the D.C. United Academy has produced standouts like goalkeeper Bill Hamid, the club’s first Homegrown signing in 2009, as well as Andy Najar, Kevin Paredes, Donovan Pines, and Matai Akinmboni. Club leadership has long emphasized the importance of integrating academy graduates into the first team. “Gavin is a young talent who has ascended through the ranks of the D.C. United Academy,” General Manager Ally Mackay said when Turner was signed in February. “He has a high ceiling for development and has shown exceptional soccer IQ in first team training sessions. This is another testament to the Academy and the abundance of talent in the DMV area”. Turner’s rise exemplifies that philosophy, providing a boost to the club’s belief in cultivating homegrown stars.
Looking Ahead
Having reached this major milestone, Turner isn’t dwelling on the result of his first game. The teenager has embraced a "short memory" approach as he turns his focus to the rest of the season. “I think it’s about trying to be a goldfish, focusing on what’s next and how I can help the team in upcoming games,” he said.
Turner is already back to work in training, eager to build on his debut and continue earning minutes. As he looks ahead, both he and the club hope that this first appearance is just the beginning of a long and successful career in Black-and-Red.
