Position: Goalkeeper
Age: 26
Key Stats: 73.4% save percentage (fourth-best in MLS), 8.9 goals prevented (second-best in MLS)
Matt Freese needs no introduction. The star goalkeeper, who had a breakout year last season, is loved by New York City fans and rightfully so. He had the fourth-best save percentage in the league (73.4%) and prevented the second-most goals (8.9), trailing only MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Kristijan Kahlina. Freese’s 135 total saves in 2024 was the third-best in MLS, behind just John McCarthy (138) and Brad Guzan (137).
After a season of success, Freese was finally awarded for his exceptional performances with his first-ever call-up to the United States Men’s National Team for the January friendlies against Venezuela and Costa Rica in Florida. For reasons known only to USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino, he didn’t play, and instead sat on the bench while Zack Steffen started in last Wednesday’s friendly win over Costa Rica.
What went right last season
Still, it shouldn’t have come as a surprise that Freese was set to grab headlines in 2024. After all, he took the starting goalkeeper spot from Luis Barraza and impressed in 2023, but his level of form skyrocketed last season.
Freese’s first five-star performance came on the road against Inter Miami in late March. He had five saves, denying Luis Suárez and helping NYCFC earn a point away from the Big Apple. Two months later, Freese made a career-high nine saves in the 3-2 win over Toronto FC, giving New York City their first road win of the season. He would later replicate that nine-save performance in the 2-3 defeat to Columbus at Yankee Stadium in June.
Matthew Mangam
Mr Clutch
The consistently solid games continued all season long, and as the postseason approached, NYCFC had a tough three-game series against FC Cincinnati in Round One of the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs.
New York City lost 1-0 in Game 1, but Freese tallied six saves to keep his team in the game all night long. With elimination on the line in Game 2, NYCFC stepped up to the occasion, defeating Cincinnati 3-1 in part behind Freese’s four saves. Game 3 was where Freese would shine the most and have his best game in a New York City kit. He totaled four saves in regulation, followed by a three-save penalty shootout display to send NYCFC to the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Matt Freese | Best saves vs FC Cincinnati, Round One
Freese’s memorable season earned him the 2024 New York City MVP award, the first given out by the club since Taty Castellanos in 2021.
Hudson River Blue Staff
What to expect in 2025
How could Freese possibly replicate everything he did last season in 2025? It’s hard to predict what will happen, but it’s fair to say that Freese can only get better. His expectations are sky-high, and the 26-year-old should be able to live up to those lofty expectations. He’s already gathered interest from German and Dutch clubs this winter, but Freese seems unlikely to leave the club just yet since he’s contracted to NYCFC through the 2026 season.
🇺🇸🔵 Sources: NYCFC goalkeeper Matt Freese getting strong interest from German and Dutch clubs. He has an EU passport (German).
No offers yet, but one to watch.
Freese currently with U.S. national team for January camp, first senior call-up after a career year. pic.twitter.com/YTX6cFUjEK
— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) January 13, 2025
One thing is for sure, though, expect more sensational performances from Freese again in 2025. And maybe he’ll finally earn his first USMNT appearance and much-deserved MLS accolades, like Goalkeeper of the Year or a selection to the MLS All-Star team this summer.
John Baney
shouldn’t they give him the #1, btw?
I don’t know, I think he looks great in #49 for the Pigeons
no doubt he’ll look good with any #. i was talkin about some ‘recognition’ from the team as “the” goalie. we’ve been underwhelmed by how the media or MLS treated Freese despite of his excellence, yet haven’t coronated him “the” number. if i don’t see it on his back soon, i’d consider that team’s rather planning to sell him than keepin. that’d also explain the front office’ recent spending habit on hoarding goalies…