Matt Turner has been the USMNT goalkeeper since before the last World Cup in Qatar, despite not getting major minutes since his switch from the MLS to Europe. Mauricio Pochettino decided to bench the veteran national team keeper for a newer option.
Matt Freese, the 26-year-old Harvard graduate who has held down the keeper spot for NYCFC this year. Freese has been in good form for New York, keeping them around the last playoff spot.
Freese has been a well-renowned keeper for the MLS. His USMNT aspirations were never tested until this current international window.
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He waited to have a Major impact.
Freese played his role well for the majority of the group stage despite a near costly decision against Haiti in which resulted in a goal. He didn’t make any big saves or have any crucial moments due to playing teams that never showed a true threat when the games were close.
Freese was a curious option at goalkeeper for the national team as he had no experience at the national level. At first, it appeared that Pochettino just wanted to get a good look at the keeper in training.
Freese got the first start of the two friendlies and the better overall performance, which slotted him in as the number one option for the Gold Cup.
Fans and critics questioned if Freese could live up to the moment when the USMNT would need a moment of brilliance from their keeper.
With no track record of performing on a national team stage and not having a chance to prove himself, those doubts were reasonable.
Turner proved he could be the number one goalie in years past despite not being able to earn a spot as the number one keeper on his squad. Turner looked like the right option because no other option seemed to be available.
Seeing what Freese could do in this tournament was crucial for this coaching staff and to their decision-making for the 2026 World Cup in America.
How Matt Freese became a Hero
At the end of 90 minutes, Costa Rica and the United States could not find a game-winning goal to advance past the semifinals.
This resulted in a penalty shootout in the most thrilling of fashions. After five frames, it was all tied as the matchup went into a sudden-death format.
Freese came up with two back-to-back stops to become the hero and the man of the match. The USMNT came up with a game-winning goal after the back-to-back clutch saves from Freese.
Without Freese standing on his head for two frames, the USMNT wouldn’t have had a chance to advance to the semifinals.
More Moments to Prove Himself in
Fans are now raving online about Freese, even calling for the MLS star to become the new full-time keeper for the national team.
MLS fans who are also USMNT supporters understand that most mainstay players in their league don’t represent the national team anymore. With a rise of USMNT players playing in Europe, it has slowly kicked MLS players out of roster spots they used to own.
Seeing Freese become a hero and possibly the new keeper for the national team is a wish come true for MLS supporters. There is still a game to be played for the right to play in the Gold Cup Finale, and still moments for Freese to seize to become the keeper the national team deserves.
Main Photo
Credit IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire
Recording Date 28.06.2025