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.
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
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] On January 6, 2024, Freese was called up to the US Men's 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]
Career statistics
Club
| Club | Season | League | National cup | Continental | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Bethlehem Steel | 2017 | United Soccer League | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | |||
| Philadelphia Union | 2019 | MLS | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 7 | 0 | ||
| 2020 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | |||||
| 2021 | 6 | 0 | — | — | 1[a] | 0 | 7 | 0 | ||||
| 2022 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |||
| Total | 13 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 0 | ||
| Philadelphia Union II | 2019 | USL | 8 | 0 | — | — | — | 8 | 0 | |||
| 2020 | 7 | 0 | — | — | — | 7 | 0 | |||||
| 2022 | MLS Next Pro | 15 | 0 | — | — | — | 15 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 30 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 30 | 0 | ||||
| New York City FC | 2023 | MLS | 10 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 2[b] | 0 | 13 | 0 | |
| 2024 | 34 | 0 | — | — | 7 | 0 | 41 | 0 | ||||
| 2025 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 44 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 9 | 0 | 54 | 0 | |||
| Career total | 87 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 100 | 0 | ||
- ^ Appearances in MLS Cup Playoffs
- ^ Appearances in Leagues Cup
Honors
Philadelphia Union
References
- ^ "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.
- ^ Matt Freese at Soccerway
- ^ "Matt Freese – MLS Profile". Major League Soccer.
- ^ 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.
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