Matt Freese emerged as an unexpected hero for the United States men`s national team at the Concacaf Gold Cup. His crucial saves in the sudden-death penalty shootout against Costa Rica secured the team`s place in the semifinals. Freese`s prominent role was surprising, as he was initially the third-choice goalkeeper, behind established starters like Matt Turner and Zack Steffen, and potentially Patrick Schulte, who were unavailable due to injury. Coach Mauricio Pochettino opted to give Freese a chance as he experimented with the squad.
The match demonstrated Freese`s unique skills. Known for his extensive study of penalty kicks, he often anticipated the correct direction. He nearly saved Francisco Calvo`s penalty during regular time and then successfully stopped Calvo in the shootout by remaining central. While crediting his goalkeeper coach for advice on that specific save, Freese acknowledged that his prior research into opponents` tendencies was key.
“Penalties are my thing,” Freese stated after the game. “I was studying them on the plane ride over here to Minnesota. I`ve been studying them all week and was ready for it if we needed it, and the one that I didn`t move on was a suggestion from my goalkeeper coach Toni Jimenez.”
Who is Matt Freese?
A Pennsylvania native, Freese has strong connections to the Philadelphia Union organization. He played for Bethlehem Steel before attending Harvard from 2017-18, where he also played soccer. His academic experience proved beneficial; he conducted a significant research project on penalty kicks during his college years. He signed a homegrown deal with the Union in 2019. Freese noted, “I actually did a very long research project in college about penalty kicks… To be able to rely on that type of thing and deal with a lot of statistics and stuff like that, read the game and read their hips and things like that, is massive.”
This academic study, combined with practical experience, highlights why Freese excels at stopping penalties. After debuting for the Union in 2019, he made 13 senior appearances but primarily played for the MLS Next Pro team, Union II, given the presence of top goalkeeper Andre Blake. MLS Next Pro rules, where drawn games are decided by a penalty shootout, provided invaluable experience. This format ensures young players face real-match shootout pressure. In 2022, Freese participated in 4 shootouts with Union II, winning 3 of them.
In January 2023, Freese was traded to New York City FC and quickly became their starting goalkeeper, establishing himself as one of MLS`s top talents. In the 2024 season, he was a finalist for Goalkeeper of the Year, secured a playoff shootout win against Cincinnati FC, and had a 1-1 record in U.S. Open Cup shootouts (losing to Kristijan Kahlina for the award). This successful season significantly raised his profile. His current professional shootout record stands at six wins out of eight attempts.
Out of the blue into the USMNT
Freese first joined a USMNT camp under Coach Pochettino in January 2025 but didn`t play. His performance earned him a return invite for the July friendlies against Turkey and Switzerland, where he made his senior debut. He retained his place for the Gold Cup, gaining significant playing time. Despite not having extensive youth national team experience due to strong competition among young keepers, Freese has seized his chance, rapidly ascending within the national team setup.
Can Fresse be the starting keeper at the World Cup?
The starting goalkeeper position for the USMNT could become contested, particularly if current starter Matt Turner isn`t getting consistent club playing time – a factor Coach Pochettino emphasizes regardless of league level. Freese`s extended look during the Gold Cup supports this philosophy, though his exact position in the pecking order remains unclear. While his shootout heroics were impactful, his performance in open play (66.7% save percentage, -.18 goals prevented) has been statistically average during the tournament, influenced partly by defensive issues. He has made expected saves but hasn`t consistently produced game-winning stops from open play.
This could change with continued strong performances. However, the return of healthy contenders like Schulte and Steffen will provide significant competition, especially if all remain in MLS ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The coaching staff faces a difficult choice in a position historically strong for the USMNT. The preference for a specific keeper`s style will be key. Freese`s consistent inclusion in recent camps helps his case, but Matt Turner likely remains the starter if the World Cup were imminent. Freese and others have less than a year to challenge this.
Even without the starting role, Freese`s expertise in penalty shootouts makes him a uniquely valuable backup. His distinctive background and specialized skill set demonstrate the positive outcomes of Pochettino`s experimentation and Freese`s dedication to mastering a specific aspect of the game.
