Aug 6, 2026; Harrison, NJ, USA; New York City FC goalkeeper Matt Freese (49) reacts during the second half of the Leagues Cup Phase One match against Santos Laguna at Sports Illustrated Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
NYCFC and United States men’s national team goalkeeper Matt Freese had been attracting interest from English clubs in both the Premier League and the second-division Championship, though nothing ultimately has come to fruition as the summer window’s transfer deadline day arrived on Tuesday, amNewYork confirms.
Sky Sports was first to report that clubs from England were kicking the tires on Freese.
The 27-year-old has shot up the ranks within the American soccer sphere, first taking control of the reins as NYCFC’s bona fide No. 1 keeper just two years ago in 2024. He has been one of Major League Soccer’s best goalkeepers, recording 22 clean sheets in 97 league matches over the last four seasons.
Once an unknown on the international stage, he was called into the US national team’s camp, making his senior team debut in 2025, the same year he was a runner-up for MLS Goalkeeper of the Year. Ultimately taking over the No. 1 role from Matt Turner, who backstopped the US to the Round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup, Freese started six matches at the 2025 Gold Cup, where the Americans finished second.
This summer at the FIFA World Cup, he was named Team USA’s starter by manager Mauricio Pochettino, appearing in four of his nation’s five games. He recorded two clean sheets — one of which came in the Round of 32 victory over Bosnia & Herzegovina. It was the Americans’ first knockout-stage win at a World Cup since 2002.
The interest in Freese is understandable. Goalkeepers are America’s top exports on the international soccer stage, headlined by Tim Howard, Kasey Keller, and Brad Friedel, all of whom spent significant portions of their careers playing in the top flight of England. Even Turner was signed by Arsenal in 2022 and had loan spells with Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace. His backup on Team USA at the 2022 World Cup, Ethan Horvath, had spells with Forest, Luton Town, Cardiff City, and Sheffield Wednesday before signing with Red Bull New York last winter.
For more on Matt Freese and NYCFC, visit AMNY.com
