Matt Freese: Harvard Goalkeeper Who Became USMNT No. 1

Matt Freese is the New York City FC goalkeeper who went from a Harvard economics student to the starting goalkeeper of the U.S. men’s national team at a home World Cup. He was the first Harvard alumnus to play in a men’s World Cup, and he finished the tournament with more wins than any other U.S. goalkeeper in history. Here are five things to know about his story.

Matt Freese at a Glance

• Age: 28 (born September 2, 1998)
• Hometown: Wayne, Pennsylvania
• Height: 6 ft 3 in
• Club: New York City FC
• USMNT number: 24

He Comes From a Family of Scientists

Freese’s father, Andrew, was a neurosurgeon and gene therapy researcher who studied at Harvard and MIT. He died in 2021. His mother, Marcia, founded a medical management company, and his aunt, Katherine Freese, is an astrophysicist.

His grandparents were German immigrants who worked at the National Institutes of Health, and Matt holds German citizenship through his father’s side of the family. He has a sister, Lyssa, and two brothers, Jack and Tim, who both attended Harvard. You can read more in this U.S. Soccer profile.

He Wrote a Harvard Paper About Penalties

Freese played at Harvard from 2016 and earned Second Team All-Ivy honors as a sophomore. In December 2018, he left to sign with the Philadelphia Union, made his professional debut in April 2019, and finished his economics degree online in 2022. At Harvard, he also wrote a research paper on penalty-kick analytics, a project that now looks like a preview of his career. Harvard Magazine notes that he describes goalkeeping as covering as much of the goal as possible.

A Penalty Shootout Changed His Career

Freese earned his first national team call-up in January 2025 and made his debut on June 7, 2025, against Türkiye, making three saves in 90 minutes. At the 2025 Gold Cup, he started every game. In the quarterfinal against Costa Rica, he saved three of six penalty kicks as the U.S. won the shootout 4-3. That night made him a serious contender for the World Cup job.

His World Cup: Records and One Hard Night

Coach Mauricio Pochettino picked Freese over Matt Turner, the starter at the 2022 World Cup. Freese started the opener against Paraguay, a 4-1 win, and he played in four of the team’s five matches. By the end of the tournament, he had three wins, which is more than any other U.S. goalkeeper has recorded at a World Cup. He also tied the U.S. record with two clean sheets and made nine saves.

The Round of 16 against Belgium went differently. Freese made a strong save in the first minute, but the U.S. lost 4-1. In the 57th minute, he came off his line, took a poor touch outside the box, and Belgium scored its third goal. Freese said the mistake stings more than almost any other moment in his life, but also that the pressure from fans motivates him.

Midfielder Malik Tillman scored the only U.S. goal, and captain Tim Ream was part of a back line that struggled that night. You can read the match story at The Harvard Crimson and see the full squad in our USMNT 2026 World Cup roster guide.

What’s Next for Freese

At club level Freese remains NYCFC’s starting goalkeeper, a job he has held since joining from the Union in January 2023. The next World Cup is in 2030, when he will be 31, which is still within a goalkeeper’s prime. His next task is to rebuild confidence and win back fans’ trust.

FAQs

How old is Matt Freese?
Matt Freese was born on September 2, 1998, so he is 28 years old.

Which college did Matt Freese attend?
He attended Harvard University, where he played soccer and studied economics, and he graduated in 2022.

Which club does Matt Freese play for?
He plays for New York City FC.

Did Matt Freese start at the 2026 World Cup?
Yes. He started four of the USMNT’s five matches, including the opener against Paraguay and the Round of 16 loss to Belgium.

What record did Matt Freese set at the World Cup?
He finished with three wins, the most of any U.S. goalkeeper at a World Cup, and tied the U.S. record with two clean sheets.

Who is Matt Freese’s father?
His late father, Andrew Freese, was a neurosurgeon and gene therapy pioneer who died in 2021.

Last updated: October 2026