New York City FC goalkeeper Matt Freese made his United States men's national team debut on Saturday in a 1-2 friendly loss to Türkiye, becoming the fourth NYCFC player to debut with the USMNT.
Freese is the first player to complete the NYCFC-to-USMNT journey since midfielder James Sands debuted with the USMNT in July 2021. That pair of former teammates is joined by forward Jonathan Lewis (USMNT debut in January 2019) and defender Ben Sweat (USMNT debut in October 2018) as the only players to get their USMNT breakthroughs while active members of the Boys in Blue.
The New York City goalkeeper looked like he belonged in his debut, even despite the loss. Freese made three saves — all in the first half — but conceded two goals in three minutes that were caused by mistakes and defensive miscues — there was nothing Freese could do on either goal allowed.
Speaking to Hudson River Blue after the game at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Connecticut, Freese said "It was a huge honor to be out there. Big thanks to Mauricio (Pochettino), Toni (Jiménez, USMNT goalkeeper coach), and the rest of the staff."
"I felt good. I think it would have been a lot better if we won. I'm someone much more focused on winning than pretty much anything else in my life. Winning soccer games really means more than anything else to me. So, with that being said, I think there were a lot of positives to take away from it, a lot of good moments for us, and a lot to build on," Freese concluded.
All about winning, all about the team
It wasn't a winning debut for Freese due in large part to mistakes made in front of the goalkeeper. The first goal, Real Betis midfielder Johnny Cardoso played an outside-of-the-boot pass to clear his lines, but it deflected off Arda Güler's leg and past the hands of Freese.
One of the weirdest goals you'll see. 🫨
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) June 7, 2025
The USMNT's Johnny Cardoso tries to clear but it bounces off Arda Guler and into the net for a Turkiye equalizer.
📺 Telemundo, NBC Universo & Peacock pic.twitter.com/9yHJUikZxK
Türkiye's second goal came off a great build-up play, but Oğuz Aydın's pass to the back post ricocheted off Miles Robinson and right into the path of Kerem Aktürkoğlu, who was never going to miss from five yards out.
Turkiye lead the USMNT 2-1 at halftime after Kerem Aktürkoğlu's effort gave them the lead. 🇹🇷
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) June 7, 2025
📺 Telemundo, NBC Universo & Peacock pic.twitter.com/vlvPJRb1E7
"I think mistakes are part of the game," Freese said of the goals the USMNT conceded. "You know, it's not any individual mistake. It's a team mistake, or a team win — it's about the team in the losses as well, in the good moments, in the bad moments. Immediately, you see the reaction of all of us. It was a tough five, ten minutes, and then immediately, you just got to get back on it, lift each other up, and get to the next moment."
Who starts vs the Swiss, in the Gold Cup?
It's unclear which goalkeeper Mauricio Pochettino will start on Tuesday in the USMNT's final friendly against Switzerland before the Gold Cup. Chicago Fire FC goalkeeper Chris Brady is yet to make his USMNT debut, so perhaps Pochettino will give him a first chance, as he did with Freese on Saturday.
The experienced 2022 FIFA World Cup veteran, Matt Turner, looks like the most likely pick to be the starting goalkeeper for the Concacaf Gold Cup, but after making just four appearances — none in the Premier League — with Crystal Palace this season, Turner's starting spot could be up for grabs.
When asked if he feels he could be the USMNT's starting goalkeeper at the Gold Cup, Freese made it clear that he's prepared but will support whatever decision Pochettino and his staff make.
"I think it's my job to be ready for anything. I got told a few days ago that I was playing this game, and to be honest, my preparation didn't really change, because I was preparing for the last five months to be ready to play these games and this game, if just that. So, whether or not it happens is out of my control. I'm going to support whoever they play. But it was obviously a huge honor to be out there, and I've got to keep pushing to improve myself and keep improving the rest of the goalkeepers, as well."
