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Matt Freese
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Matthew Andrew Geary Freese (born September 2, 1998) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Major League Soccer club New York City FC and the United States national team.
Key Information
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Club career
[edit]Born in Wayne, Pennsylvania, Freese went through the Philadelphia Union youth academy before appearing on the bench with Union reserve side, Bethlehem Steel, during the 2017 season. Not long after, Freese enrolled at Harvard and played college soccer for the Harvard Crimson, where his older brother Jack rowed heavyweight crew.[2][3][4]
Professional career
[edit]Philadelphia Union
[edit]On December 21, 2018, it was announced that Freese would leave Harvard early and join Major League Soccer club Philadelphia Union at the beginning of their 2019 season.[5]
Freese made his professional debut on April 19, 2019, coming on as a 54th-minute substitute for Andre Blake in a 3–0 home win against the Montreal Impact.
On November 8, 2020, Freese made his lone start of the 2020 season against the New England Revolution on MLS Decision Day. He made one save and kept a clean sheet as the Union clinched their first trophy in club history, the Supporters' Shield.[6]
New York City FC
[edit]On January 27, 2023, Freese was traded to New York City FC in exchange for a guaranteed $350,000 of General Allocation Money, with a possibility of an additional $400,000, as well as a percentage of a future transfer fee.[7] On December 27, 2024, Freese was named New York City FC's MVP (Most Valuable Player) for the 2024 season after finishing third in the MLS in saves and fourth in save percentage.[8] This marked the first time since 2021 that New York City FC gave out the award.[8]
International career
[edit].jpg)
Youth
[edit]Freese has represented the United States at the U-19 and U-23 levels. Freese was named to the final 20-player United States under-23 roster for the 2020 CONCACAF Men's Olympic Qualifying Championship in March 2021.[9]
Senior
[edit]On January 6, 2025, Freese was called up to the United States national team by head coach Mauricio Pochettino ahead of the January camp in Florida, with friendlies against Venezuela and Costa Rica. Freese did not play in either game.[10]
On May 22, 2025, Freese was again called up by Pochettino to the national team for training camp in Chicago ahead of matches against Turkey and Switzerland.[11]
On June 5, 2025, Freese was included in the final 26-player roster for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup. He played in every match of the tournament, keeping 2 clean sheets in the group stage and conceding a total of 6 goals across the competition.
Career statistics
[edit]Club
[edit]| Club | Season | League | National cup[a] | League cup[b] | Continental | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Bethlehem Steel | 2017 | United Soccer League | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | |||
| Philadelphia Union | 2019 | MLS | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 7 | 0 | ||
| 2020 | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 | |||||
| 2021 | 6 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | ||||
| 2022 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |||
| Total | 13 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 | |||
| Philadelphia Union II | 2019 | USL | 8 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | — | 8 | 0 | |||
| 2020 | 7 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | — | 7 | 0 | |||||
| 2022 | MLS Next Pro | 16 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | — | 16 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 31 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 31 | 0 | ||||
| New York City FC | 2023 | MLS | 10 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 2[c] | 0 | 13 | 0 | |
| 2024 | 34 | 0 | — | 4 | 0 | — | 3[c] | 0 | 41 | 0 | ||||
| 2025 | 31 | 0 | — | 5 | 0 | — | 3[c] | 0 | 39 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 75 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 0 | — | 8 | 0 | 93 | 0 | |||
| Career total | 119 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 140 | 0 | ||
- ^ Includes U.S. Open Cup
- ^ Includes MLS Cup playoffs
- ^ a b c Appearances in Leagues Cup
International
[edit]- As of match played November 18, 2025[14]
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2025 | 13 | 0 |
| Total | 13 | 0 | |
Honors
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Matt Freese". Philadelphia Union. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
- ^ "Matt Freese". Harvard. Archived from the original on January 13, 2022. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
- ^ mlssoccer. "How Matt Freese charted a breakout path at New York City FC | MLSSoccer.com". mlssoccer. Retrieved January 5, 2025.
- ^ "Jack Freese - 2012-13 - Men's Heavyweight Rowing". Harvard University. Retrieved January 5, 2025.
- ^ "Philadelphia Union sign Matt Freese to homegrown deal | Philadelphia Union".
- ^ "Recap: Philadelphia Union vs. New England Revolution 11/08/2020 | Matchcenter".
- ^ "NYCFC land goalkeeper Matt Freese in trade with Philadelphia Union | MLSSoccer.com". mlssoccer. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
- ^ a b "Matt Freese named New York City FC's 2024 MVP". Hudson River Blue. December 27, 2024. Retrieved January 5, 2025.
- ^ "U.S. Under-23 Men's National Team Head Coach Jason Kreis Names Roster for Concacaf Men's Olympic Qualifying Championship". www.ussoccer.com. March 11, 2021.
- ^ Hudson River, Blue Staff. "Matt Freese called up to US Men's National Team". Hudson River Blue. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
- ^ "Pochettino Names 27-Player Roster for Training Camp ahead of June Matches Against Turkey and Switzerland". United States Soccer Federation. May 22, 2025. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
- ^ Matt Freese at Soccerway
- ^ "Matt Freese – MLS Profile". Major League Soccer.
- ^ Matt Freese at National-Football-Teams.com
- ^ Major League Soccer [@MLS] (November 8, 2020). "SUPPORTERS' SHIELD WINNERS @PhilaUnion win their first trophy in club history! #DOOP" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Sigal, Jonathan (November 5, 2022). "Hollywood ending! LAFC win legendary MLS Cup 2022 over Philadelphia Union". Major League Soccer. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
External links
[edit]- Matt Freese at Soccerway.com
- Matt Freese at National-Football-Teams.com
- Matt Freese at FBref.com
- Matt Freese at kicker (in German)
- Matt Freese at Major League Soccer
- Matt Freese at USL Championship
- Matt Freese at U.S. Soccer
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Matt Freese
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Background
Early life
Matt Freese was born on September 2, 1998, in Wayne, Pennsylvania, an affluent suburb on Philadelphia's Main Line known for its historic Victorian architecture, top-ranked schools, and family-oriented community.[6][9][10] Growing up in this upscale environment, Freese was raised in a family with deep roots in academia and science, where education and intellectual pursuit were central values. His father, Andrew Freese, was a renowned neurosurgeon and pioneer in gene therapy who died in 2021; he held degrees from both Harvard Medical School and MIT, instilling in the household a strong emphasis on discipline and scholarly achievement.[11][12][13][14] His mother, Marcia, who earned an MBA in healthcare management, further reinforced these principles alongside his siblings—sister Lyssa and brothers Jack and Tim—creating a supportive yet rigorous home life focused on personal growth and perseverance.[15][13] Freese's early development was shaped by this familial tradition of excellence, which encouraged self-discipline beyond academics; for instance, he independently learned to play the guitar in just a month and a half using online tutorials, reflecting the proactive mindset fostered in his upbringing.[12] The family's Harvard connection, particularly through his father's medical training, highlighted their commitment to prestigious institutions and lifelong learning.[12]Education and youth soccer
Freese began his organized youth soccer career with the Philadelphia Union Academy, where he served as a goalkeeper from 2016 to 2017.[16] During that period, he also spent time with the Union's USL affiliate, Bethlehem Steel FC, appearing on the bench for three matchday squads in 2017 as an academy member, though he did not make any competitive appearances.[17] In 2017, Freese transitioned from the academy to collegiate soccer at Harvard University, opting for an Ivy League education despite opportunities for earlier professional development, including a youth contract trial with Manchester United that he declined in favor of prioritizing studies—a decision influenced by his family's emphasis on academics.[18] He enrolled at Harvard that fall, majoring in economics, and played two seasons for the Harvard Crimson men's soccer team from 2017 to 2018 while balancing coursework. Freese appeared in 16 matches across those seasons, recording 77 saves overall.[19] As a freshman in 2017, Freese made three appearances with two starts, posting seven saves and a 3.32 goals-against average in limited action, including his debut start against Boston University on September 16.[16] His sophomore year in 2018 marked a breakout, with notable performances such as a career-high nine saves in a match against Dartmouth on October 27, eight saves each versus Cornell on October 6 and Boston College on October 9, and seven saves against Penn on November 10; he earned Second Team All-Ivy honors that season and secured his first collegiate win with four saves against Providence on September 3.[16] Freese ultimately left Harvard after 2018 to pursue professional soccer, completing his economics degree remotely in 2022 while playing in Major League Soccer.[12]Family
Matt Freese was born into a family with a strong academic and scientific heritage. His father, Andrew Freese, was a renowned neurosurgeon who earned undergraduate and medical degrees from Harvard University (class of 1981) and a doctorate from MIT, and he pioneered advancements in gene therapy during his career in the Philadelphia area; he died in 2021.[20][21][14] His mother, Marcia Freese, holds an MBA in healthcare management and has supported the family's emphasis on education and professional achievement.[13] The family hails from a scientific background, with relatives including biologists and physicists, fostering an environment that prioritized intellectual pursuits over early athletic specialization.[11] Freese has three siblings: two older brothers, Jack and Tim, and a younger sister, Lyssa. Both Jack and Tim attended Harvard University, continuing the family's tradition of academic excellence there, while their father had previously graduated from the institution.[22][13] Jack, in particular, was a member of Harvard's heavyweight rowing team during his time as a student, competing as a freshman in the 2011-12 season.[21] The siblings remain close, with Freese describing his brother Jack as his best friend and a key source of emotional support throughout his career.[15] This familial bond influenced Freese's path, as his parents encouraged balancing soccer with higher education despite the family's scientific leanings, allowing him to pursue professional opportunities only after completing his degree.[11] Freese maintains a private personal life, with no public information available about a spouse or long-term partner as of 2025. He is known to be deeply family-oriented, often crediting his late father, his mother, and siblings for providing unwavering support during his athletic endeavors.[23] Freese also holds a German passport through his late father's heritage, reflecting the family's European roots.[24]Club career
Philadelphia Union
Matt Freese joined the Philadelphia Union as a homegrown player on December 21, 2018, after leaving Harvard early, marking his entry into professional soccer with his hometown club.[17] Having previously developed in the Union's youth academy from 2016 to 2017, Freese transitioned directly to the professional ranks as a backup goalkeeper behind incumbent Andre Blake.[25] Freese made his MLS debut on April 19, 2019, entering as a 54th-minute substitute for Blake in a 3–0 home victory over D.C. United at Talen Energy Stadium.[26] Over the next three seasons (2019–2022), he appeared in 13 first-team matches for the Union, primarily filling in during Blake's injuries, with notable performances in 2019 and 2021, recording 15 saves across six regular-season games in 2021.[27] One highlight came on MLS Decision Day in 2020, when Freese started and kept a clean sheet in a 2–0 win against the New England Revolution, contributing to the Union's clinching of the Supporters' Shield as the league's top regular-season team.[28] To gain consistent playing time, Freese was loaned to the Union's affiliate team, initially Bethlehem Steel FC in the USL Championship (2019–2020) and later Philadelphia Union II in MLS Next Pro (2021–2022), where he made numerous appearances to hone his skills.[29] In 2022, he started 31 matches for Union II, securing six clean sheets and demonstrating steady development as a reliable shot-stopper.[28] On January 27, 2023, the Union traded Freese to New York City FC in exchange for $350,000 in general allocation money, ending his tenure with the club after four professional seasons.[30]New York City FC
Matt Freese joined New York City FC on January 27, 2023, via a trade from the Philadelphia Union in exchange for $350,000 in General Allocation Money.[3][30] He initially served as a backup goalkeeper behind Sean Johnson, making 10 appearances (all starts) during the 2023 MLS regular season, logging 900 minutes with 29 saves, an 83.8% save percentage, and 5 clean sheets while conceding 8 goals.[27] Freese emerged as the primary starter in 2024, appearing in all 34 regular-season matches for 2,981 minutes, recording 121 saves at a 72.9% rate, 6 clean sheets, and 45 goals conceded.[31] His consistent performances earned him the New York City FC Most Valuable Player award on December 27, 2024, after ranking third in the MLS with 121 saves for the season.[32][33] By the end of his tenure through November 2025, Freese had made 75 regular-season appearances for NYCFC, contributing to a club total of 83 appearances across all competitions with 276 saves and 20 clean sheets.[34] In the 2025 season, Freese solidified his role with 31 starts in 31 appearances through mid-November, accumulating 2,767 minutes, 96 saves at a 69.6% rate, 8 clean sheets, and 42 goals conceded.[31] He was named a finalist for the 2025 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year award and finished second in the voting, while also earning a nomination for MLS Save of the Year for a standout stop against Inter Miami.[35][5] His playoff contributions included key saves in NYCFC's Eastern Conference series wins, helping the team advance to the semifinals with a decisive Game 3 victory on November 7, 2025.[36] On September 18, 2025, NYCFC extended Freese's contract through the 2030 season, recognizing his growth into a cornerstone of the team's defense.[6][37]International career
Youth career
Freese began his international youth career with the United States at the under-19 level, participating in training camps and matches as part of the development pathway for emerging goalkeepers.[16] His involvement with the U-19 team included competitive play during his time at the Philadelphia Union Academy, where he honed his skills in high-pressure environments alongside other top prospects.[16] Transitioning to the under-23 level, Freese earned three caps for the U.S. U-23 Men's National Team between 2019 and early 2021, primarily in friendly matches and preparatory tournaments. His debut came in October 2019 during a series of friendlies, followed by appearances in the November 2019 United International Football Festival in Spain, where he started against Brazil in a 1-0 loss and contributed to a 4-0 victory over UD Gran Canaria.[38][39] In these outings, Freese allowed just one goal across 180 minutes, demonstrating strong shot-stopping and distribution abilities that caught the attention of coaches.[40] Freese was a regular in U-23 training camps leading up to major competitions, including selections for the January 2021 camp and subsequent preparatory sessions. He was named to the final 20-player roster for the 2020 CONCACAF Men's Olympic Qualifying Championship, held in March 2021 in Guadalajara, Mexico, though he did not see game action as backup to primary goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski during the group's three matches.[41][42] These experiences at the youth international level provided Freese with exposure to elite competition and tactical systems, building his confidence and technical proficiency that paved the way for his eventual senior USMNT call-up in 2025.[43]Senior career
Matt Freese received his first senior call-up to the United States men's national team (USMNT) on January 6, 2025, selected by head coach Mauricio Pochettino for the team's January training camp in Florida, though he did not feature in any matches during that window.[44] Freese earned his senior debut later that year on June 7, 2025, starting in a friendly against Turkey as part of a pre-CONCACAF Gold Cup training camp, followed by another start in a 0-4 loss versus Switzerland three days later.[45] These appearances marked the beginning of his rapid integration into the senior squad, where his shot-stopping and distribution skills quickly impressed Pochettino.[29] Freese's breakthrough came with his inclusion in the USMNT's 26-player roster for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup, announced on June 5, 2025, by Pochettino, positioning him as the primary goalkeeper ahead of more established options like Matt Turner.[46] He started all six matches in the tournament, recording two clean sheets and playing a pivotal role in the team's run to the final, including a 2-2 draw against Costa Rica in the quarterfinals that advanced via a 4-3 penalty shootout victory, where Freese saved three of six attempts to secure progression.[47][8] His performances in the Gold Cup, highlighted by crucial interventions such as key saves during the final against Mexico on July 6, 2025, underscored his composure under pressure despite the USMNT's 2-1 loss in the title match.[48][49] By November 20, 2025, Freese had accumulated 13 caps for the USMNT, all earned in 2025, including additional starts in friendlies during the September and October windows, as well as the November friendlies against Paraguay and Uruguay, where he solidified his status as Pochettino's preferred starter with consistent shot-stopping and three total clean sheets across his appearances.[7] His emergence has positioned him as a key figure in the goalkeeping rotation, with Pochettino praising his organizational leadership in building defensive solidity ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, for which Freese has expressed ambitions to claim the starting role.[50][51]Career statistics
Club
Matt Freese's professional club career statistics encompass his time with the Philadelphia Union and its affiliate Philadelphia Union II in Major League Soccer (MLS) and the USL Championship/MLS Next Pro, as well as with New York City FC in MLS, including regular season, playoffs, and other competitions up to November 7, 2025.[27][28]MLS Regular Season Statistics
| Season | Team | Appearances | Starts | Minutes Played | Goals Against | Clean Sheets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Philadelphia Union | 6 | 5 | 437 | 7 | 1 |
| 2020 | Philadelphia Union | 1 | 1 | 90 | 0 | 1 |
| 2021 | Philadelphia Union | 6 | 6 | 506 | 8 | 0 |
| 2023 | New York City FC | 10 | 10 | 900 | 8 | 5 |
| 2024 | New York City FC | 34 | 34 | 2,981 | 45 | 5 |
| 2025 | New York City FC | 31 | 31 | 2,766 | 42 | 8 |
| Total | 88 | 87 | 7,680 | 110 | 20 |
USL Championship / MLS Next Pro Statistics
| Season | Team | Appearances | Minutes Played | Goals Against | Clean Sheets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Philadelphia Union II | 8 | 675 | 17 | 1 |
| 2020 | Philadelphia Union II | 7 | 630 | 16 | 2 |
| 2021–2022 | Philadelphia Union II | 16 | 1,440 | 35 | 3 |
| Total | 31 | 2,745 | 68 | 6 |
Playoffs and Other Competitions
| Season | Team | Competition | Appearances | Starts | Minutes Played | Goals Against | Clean Sheets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | New York City FC | MLS Cup Playoffs | 4 | 4 | 360 | 4 | 1 |
| 2025 | New York City FC | MLS Cup Playoffs | 3 | 3 | 270 | 1 | 2 |
| Total | 7 | 7 | 630 | 5 | 3 |
Career Totals (Club, up to November 7, 2025)
| Category | Appearances | Minutes Played | Goals Against | Clean Sheets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLS Regular Season | 88 | 7,680 | 110 | 20 |
| USL/Next Pro | 31 | 2,745 | 68 | 6 |
| Playoffs & Other | 7 | 630 | 5 | 3 |
| Overall | 126 | 11,055 | 183 | 29 |
Youth International Appearances
Freese has represented the United States at the U-19 and U-23 levels, including appearances for the U-19 national team and three appearances for the U-23 team (180 minutes, 1 goal conceded). He was named to the U-23 roster for the 2020 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Championship but did not appear in matches.[40]Senior International Appearances
Freese earned his first senior cap for the United States men's national team on June 7, 2025, and has since accumulated 13 caps as of November 20, 2025, including starting all six matches at the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup where he recorded two clean sheets.[7][45]| Date | Opponent | Competition | Result | Minutes | Goals Conceded |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 7, 2025 | Turkey | Friendly | 2–1 W | 90 | 1 |
| June 15, 2025 | Trinidad & Tobago | Gold Cup (group) | 5–0 W | 90 | 0 |
| June 19, 2025 | Saudi Arabia | Gold Cup (group) | 1–0 W | 90 | 0 |
| June 22, 2025 | Haiti | Gold Cup (group) | 2–1 W | 90 | 1 |
| June 29, 2025 | Costa Rica | Gold Cup (quarterfinal) | 2–2 (4–3 pen) W | 120 | 2 |
| July 3, 2025 | Guatemala | Gold Cup (semifinal) | 2–1 W | 90 | 1 |
| July 6, 2025 | Mexico | Gold Cup Final | 1–2 L | 90 | 2 |
| September 6, 2025 | South Korea | Friendly | 1–3 L | 90 | 3 |
| September 10, 2025 | Japan | Friendly | 2–0 W | 90 | 0 |
| October 11, 2025 | Ecuador | Friendly | 2–1 W | 90 | 1 |
| October 14, 2025 | Australia | Friendly | 2–1 W | 90 | 1 |
| November 15, 2025 | Paraguay | Friendly | 2–1 W | 90 | 1 |
| November 18, 2025 | Uruguay | Friendly | 5–1 W | 90 | 1 |