When it comes to the question of who will be in goal for the U.S. Men’s National Team when the World Cup kicks off next month, American soccer great Tim Howard didn’t seem to hesitate to answer.
Howard, who represented the United States in three World Cups between 2006 and 2014, predicted New York City FC goalkeeper Matt Freese would be the goalie USMNT boss Mauricio Pochettino will turn to this summer during a Q&A last week at the MLS’ opening of the league’s new midtown Manhattan headquarters above Madison Square Garden.
The USMNT great did say that he “likes” Matt Turner, who was the starter during the 2022 World Cup, but said the answer was “already obvious” that it would be Freese.
New York City FC goalkeeper Matt Freese (49) makes a save during the first half against the Columbus Crew. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The New York City FC goalie rose to prominence last year when he started every match for the United States during the CONCACAF Gold Cup and recorded two clean sheets during the tournament run.
Prior to 2025, Freese had not earned a call-up to the senior national team.
Howard described Freese as a “late bloomer” and noted that the 27-year-old “doesn’t seem to get rattled by the big moment.”
However, Howard noted during the Q&A that many of the USMNT’s World Cup starting goalkeepers have had a “shining moment” prior to reaching one of the biggest sporting events on the planet.
“All of our goalkeepers at every World Cup have produced a performance in a friendly, in a Gold Cup, in Copa América, they produced a performance when the team needed them,” Howard said. “They stood on their head, and you basically then had the narrative, ‘if we need this guy to save us, he can.’ And because Matt’s so young in his national team career – he hasn’t been on the national team more than a year – he hasn’t had that opportunity to make that. If he’s going to have a shining moment, it’s going to have to be in the World Cup.”
Tim Howard celebrates American Airlines as the official North American Airline supplier of the FIFA World Cup 26. Getty Images for American Airlin
While Freese’s time with the senior team has been brief, he has had some memorable moments.
His Gold Cup efforts last summer included a much heralded effort in the quarterfinals against Costa Rica, where he stopped three penalty kicks to help the USMNT advance in the tournament.
Freese was part of a NYCFC squad in 2025 that reached the Eastern Conference Finals in the MLS Playoffs and he is coming off a match on Sunday where he didn’t allow a goal in a 3-0 win over Columbus.
U.S. Soccer will announce the 2026 World Cup roster on May 26 at a special event in lower Manhattan.
