U.S. Men’s National Team’s Goaltending Question Marks
IRVINE, Calif. — Heading into the World Cup, the goaltending situation for the U.S. men’s national soccer team has raised quite a few eyebrows.
After two games, though, it’s tricky to draw definitive conclusions.
Much of this uncertainty stems from how dominant Matt Freese’s previous team performed in their two victories. Paraguay managed only one shot on goal, and Australia offered just two. So, while it’s conceivable that manager Mauricio Pochettino might consider making changes for Thursday’s match against Turkey, it seems Freese is likely to retain his spot. More action for him might not be a bad thing, honestly.
“Being a goalkeeper, you have to realize it’s not all about you. I’m okay with that,” Freese noted before Tuesday’s practice. “Getting less action makes you feel more at ease during the game and can improve your odds of winning. So I generally concentrate on stopping shots instead of just gearing up for them.”
The NYCFC goalkeeper has navigated his way from relative obscurity to claim a starting spot over the past year, earning his first cap in a friendly before last summer’s Gold Cup and quickly becoming Pochettino’s go-to over Matt Turner.
Questions about Turner’s readiness cropped up during a match against Belgium in March and a friendly against Senegal later in May, but he scored a goal for Freese at the World Cup.
“He’s inherently a calm goalkeeper,” shared former USMNT keeper Tim Howard. “That quality really stood out. Last summer, when he played in the Gold Cup, it was his time to shine. For someone who hadn’t played much, he exuded a calming presence. He wasn’t doing anything overly flashy back then, which reflects positively on his character.”
“The more I learn about Matt, it’s clear he’s a thinker. He doesn’t get flustered in the moment. If he does, you can’t tell. That’s crucial for a goalie,” Howard added.
Howard, representing Govee, a smart lighting company, is part of a legacy of great U.S. goalkeepers. This year’s roster is notable, as all three goalies have roots in MLS, compared to previous years when names like Howard, Brad Friedel, and Casey Keller were turning heads overseas.
“It’s not intimidating,” Freese, a Harvard alum wearing Howard University’s No. 24, remarked. “I feel inspired. There’s a long line of goalkeepers I’ve looked up to, even before my time. Having my name alongside theirs is just incredible.”
As for how the match against Turkey might unfold, it’s tough to predict given that the U.S. secured first place in their group and Turkey has been eliminated. Freese will likely see more shots on Thursday than in the initial games.
Turkey, in fact, managed 62 shots across their first two matches—the highest for any team that hasn’t scored in World Cup history, dating back to 1966. Australia’s keeper Patrick Beach had eight saves, and Paraguay’s Orlando Gil made five.
Unlike their previous opponents, the USMNT is not expected to sit back and soak up pressure. Turkey boasts offensive talents like Arda Güler and Hakan Calhanoglu, which raises the stakes and their chances of threatening the goal.
Understanding this will be crucial for Freese as he embarks on the knockout stage.
“Now’s the time for him to showcase he can achieve great things—make those spectacular saves that can keep his team in the World Cup,” Howard emphasized. “It’s a tall order, but I’ve seen glimpses. Yet with only 15, 16, or 17 caps, he doesn’t often get the chance to face top-tier competition.”
