The USMNT are preparing to battle for World Cup glory on home soil, and Matt Freese could be the Harvard graduate trusted to lead them from the back.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side begin their group stage against Paraguay on June 12th, before facing Australia on June 19th and Turkey on June 25th. Despite Christian Pulisic and the front line drawing much of the attention, the goalkeeper decision may still become one of the defining calls of the tournament.
Freese is competing with Matt Turner for the No.1 shirt, and his route to this point has been anything but ordinary.
Matt Freese’s journey to the 2026 World Cup
Freese’s story starts with a young goalkeeper who was already trying to solve the position like a problem. NBC News detailed how, at around 10 years old, he wanted to improve his diving so badly that he would launch himself onto his bed pretending to catch an invisible ball.
He also trained in the backyard with his brother, reportedly facing hundreds of shots a night.
Freese went to Harvard, studied economics and played two seasons of college soccer before signing with Philadelphia Union in 2018. He later finished his degree in 2022.
Now with New York City FC, the 27-year-old has earned a place in Pochettino’s 26-man World Cup squad. His penalty record helped his rise, especially after he saved three spot-kicks in the 2025 Gold Cup quarter-final win over Costa Rica.
Matt Freese tipped to start for Mauricio Pochettino at the World Cup
Freese is not the experienced option. Turner has been there before, started at the 2022 World Cup and has far more senior international appearances.
But former USMNT defender Marcelo Balboa still believes Freese will get the nod. He explained to Golazo: “My only question is the goalkeeper. I think Freese is going to start the World Cup. I would rather see a guy with experience.”
Balboa added: “I would rather see a guy with experience, but I think Freese is going to get this whole game. He is not splitting this game.”
Freese was a relative unknown in the national-team picture not long ago, and now he could be starting the biggest tournament of his life on home soil.
The USMNT will need goals, energy and big attacking moments if they are going to make a serious run. But World Cup glory is just as much about keeping the ball out of your own net as putting it in at the other end.
If Freese really is Pochettino’s choice, the Harvard graduate has to be ready. The stage could hardly be bigger, and the pressure will be immense.
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