Soccer Football – FIFA World Cup 2026 – Group D – United States v Australia – Seattle Stadium, Seattle, Washington, U.S. – June 19, 2026 Matt Freese of the U.S. in action IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Troy Wayrynen
NYCFC goalkeeper Matt Freese has had as good a start as he could have hoped for as the United States men’s national team’s (USMNT) starting goalkeeper at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on home soil.
The Americans have won each of their first two games, they already clinched their spot in the Round of 32 with one group-stage match left to play on Thursday against Turkiye, and Freese picked up his first World Cup clean sheet in a 2-0 win over Australia.
“It was a very cool realization, but it filled me with a hunger to play as many games here and advance as far as possible so I get even more games, and this team gets more opportunities to show what we can do,” Freese said. “The guys in front of me did an incredible job. Competing for duels and tactically making the right decisions, and being smart with the ball, being confident with the ball, it was a full team clean sheet. An honor to get a clean sheet in a World Cup. It doesn’t happen often. Very excited, but I want several more clean sheets in a World Cup.”
His time between the sticks has not been overly strenuous. Freese has seen just three shots on target and has made two saves during this World Cup. The US wraps up the group stage on Thursday against a Turkiye team that has already been eliminated after not scoring a goal in each of its first two matches.
It’s a harsh reality for the European side, which punched its ticket to the World Cup late in March through the UEFA play-off. They out-possessed both Australia and Paraguay and landed 13 shots on target, but lost both games.
“Regardless of whether or not they’re eliminated, I think it’s a strong group and a competitive group,” Freese said. “I’m familiar with them, and really, we’re focused on ourselves, and all 26 guys are focused on being ready to compete and continue the momentum that we’ve built.”
Freese will understandably be looking to keep Turkiye’s frustrations at a maximum. His late push to make the team ultimately saw him win the starting job over Matt Turner, who backstopped the US to the Round of 16 at the last World Cup in Qatar four years ago. He is still very much waiting in the wings to get back as the No. 1, but has also proved to be an invaluable mentor at this stage for the NYCFC keeper.
“He’s been supportive,” Freese said of Turner. “We have a group of 26 guys that all want to play, and the minute the decisions come out, we’re all supporting each other… With that type of mentality, it shows the team is in a very strong spot. He’s also been very helpful with advice and encouragement. The World Cup, not many people get to experience it and play in it. To have him help me along that journey and be supportive of me means a lot.”
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