Matt Freese
FullnameMatthew Andrew Geary Freese
Birth dateSeptember 2, 1998 (age 28)
Birth placeWayne, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Height6.3 ft (1.91 metres)[1]
PositionGoalkeeper
CurrentclubNew York City
Clubnumber49
Youthyears 12016–2017
Youthclubs 1Philadelphia Union
Collegeyears 12017–2018
College 1Harvard Crimson
Collegecaps 116
Collegegoals 10
Years 12017
Clubs 1Bethlehem Steel
Caps 10
Goals 10
Years 22019–2022
Clubs 2Philadelphia Union
Caps 213
Goals 20
Years 32019–2022
Clubs 3Philadelphia Union II
Caps 331
Goals 30
Years 42023–
Clubs 4New York City
Caps 489
Goals 40
Nationalyears 12019
Nationalteam 1United States U23
Nationalcaps 11
Nationalgoals 10
Nationalyears 22025–
Nationalteam 2United States
Nationalcaps 214
Nationalgoals 20
Club-updateMay 16, 2026
Nationalteam-updateMarch 31, 2026

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 and the United States national team.

Club career

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

Philadelphia Union

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

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

Youth

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

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.

On May 26, 2026, Freese was named to the United States roster for 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Career statistics

Club

[12][13]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cup[a]League cup[b]ContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Bethlehem Steel2017United Soccer League00—00——00
Philadelphia Union2019MLS601000——70
202010—00——10
202160—10—0070
2022001000—0010
Total1302010—00160
Philadelphia Union II2019USL80—00——80
202070—00——70
2022MLS Next Pro160—00——160
Total310—00—00310
New York City FC2023MLS1001000—2[c]0130
2024340—40—3[c]0410
20253100050—3[c]0390
20261402000—00160
Total8903090—801090
Career total13305010000801560
  1. ^ Includes U.S. Open Cup
  2. ^ Includes MLS Cup playoffs
  3. ^ Appearances in Leagues Cup

International

[14]

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
United States2025130
202610
Total140

Honors

Philadelphia Union

References

  1. ^ "Matt Freese". Philadelphia Union. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  2. ^ "Matt Freese". Harvard. Archived from the original on January 13, 2022. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  3. ^ mlssoccer. "How Matt Freese charted a breakout path at New York City FC | MLSSoccer.com". mlssoccer. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
  4. ^ "Jack Freese - 2012-13 - Men's Heavyweight Rowing". Harvard University. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
  5. ^ "Philadelphia Union sign Matt Freese to homegrown deal | Philadelphia Union"
  6. ^ "Recap: Philadelphia Union vs. New England Revolution 11/08/2020 | Matchcenter"
  7. ^ "NYCFC land goalkeeper Matt Freese in trade with Philadelphia Union | MLSSoccer.com". mlssoccer. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  8. ^ "Matt Freese named New York City FC's 2024 MVP". Hudson River Blue. 2024-12-27. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
  9. ^ "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.
  10. ^ Hudson River, Blue Staff. "Matt Freese called up to US Men's National Team". Hudson River Blue. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  11. ^ "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.
  12. ^
  13. ^ "Matt Freese – MLS Profile". Major League Soccer
  14. ^ 89907
  15. ^ Major League Soccer (8 November 2020). "SUPPORTERS' SHIELD WINNERS @PhilaUnion win their first trophy in club history! #DOOP". No. 1325568824008208384.
  16. ^ Sigal, Jonathan (5 November 2022). "Hollywood ending! LAFC win legendary MLS Cup 2022 over Philadelphia Union". Major League Soccer. Retrieved 27 April 2023.