Starts: 38
Minutes: 3,487
Age: 27
Key Stat: Eight clean sheets — a career high
What a year it's been for Matt Freese.
After a breakout 2024 season, the New York City FC goalkeeper followed up with another solid campaign in 2025. The 27-year-old emerged as the United States men's national team's starting goalkeeper with the 2026 FIFA World Cup less than six months away.
In mid-September, Freese signed a contract extension with NYCFC. The details aren't yet public, but at the time it was announced that he will be the "third-highest paid goalkeeper in MLS," and will remain at NYCFC until 2030.
After his performances for New York City this year, Freese finished second in the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year vote. Add to that his time with the USMNT, and the goalkeeper was nominated for US Soccer Player of the Year, which will be announced later this month.
No sophomore slump
But the truth is, Freese's 2025 stats for New York City weren't as eye-catching as the numbers he put up in 2024. It was always going to be hard for Freese to match, let alone surpass, that outstanding 2024 season, when he totaled 135 saves (third most in MLS), six clean sheets, and a save percentage of 73.4 percent (fourth best).
Freese entered 2025 with high expectations. His first big game came in the 0-0 draw against the Columbus Crew on March 22, when he made five important saves to earn a point on the road for NYCFC.
As the season went on, New York City's defense improved, and Freese was forced to make fewer and fewer saves. Still, he had some standout games: The 2-1 win over Orlando City (six saves) and the 1-0 win over FC Cincinnati (five saves).
But Freese's most clutch performance came late in the year, when NYCFC faced Philadelphia Union in the Eastern Conference Semifinal. Playing in the home of his former team, Freese made five saves as NYCFC stunned the Supporters Shield winners with a 1-0 victory.
Some of Matt Freese's best saves against Philadelphia
Freese finished the 2025 season with 108 saves, good for a save percentage of 69.2. Even if his overall stats weren't as high as in 2024, Freese had eight clean sheets — a career best — and set a New York City record with four playoff clean sheets.
Matthew Mangam
National hero
In the midst of the season, Freese made his USMNT debut against Türkiye on June 7. He didn't play in the subsequent friendly, but later that month, he became the USMNT's starting goalkeeper and has been the No 1 since.
Freese is in the pole position to start between the posts when the USMNT opens their World Cup campaign against Paraguay in Los Angeles on June 12, 2026.
"If more opportunities come, more opportunities come with the national team, and I need to take advantage of them, continue to be the team-oriented player I am, whether that’s on the field or whatnot,” he said. “Just keep hacking away at it, keep working, don’t get caught up with what’s happening next summer because that’s 200 days away."
Freese has always been humble and a hard worker, but becoming the USMNT's starting goalkeeper at the World Cup would be the cherry on top of what has been a career-defining past two years for Freese.
The Iceman has attracted interest from European clubs in the past — and that will likely only increase after next summer — but for now, he remains one of the most important players for NYCFC. He's consistent, he can change the game with his shot-stopping abilities, and he plays for the badge.
“I really believe in what we have here in New York," he said. "It took one day with Pascal (Jansen) to see that this is gonna be a great future for this team, and I’m fully focused on maximizing my time that I do have with this great organization.”
