Matt Freese’s stellar Gold Cup putting him on map for World Cup

New York City FC goalkeeper Matt Freese joked that he doesn’t consider himself the smartest guy in the world, even though he graduated from Harvard with a degree in economics.

And no, there’s no special formula he’s been using to explain the success he’s been having this season. 

Freese had already been having a good year for NYCFC when he entered the Gold Cup with the U.S. Men’s National Team earlier this summer, and by the end of it, he had become a bona fide star. That has put Freese in the conversation to be the Americans’ starting keeper with the kickoff of the 2026 World Cup less than a year away. 

Prior to the Gold Cup, Freese had made one appearance for the USMNT, but ended up replacing longtime netminder Matt Turner and starting all six matches for the Americans. 

“It was a huge honor, incredible honor to be, not only in the group, but also the one playing for the tournament,” Freese told The Post in a phone interview. “I promised myself at the end of the January camp that I was gonna do everything possible to make sure I was ready for it in case it did happen.” 

The 26-year-old had only made his senior team debut days before the start of the Gold Cup, and the career MLS player took the opportunity and ran with it.

Outside of a hiccup in the group stage against Haiti — misplaying a clearance attempt that led to a goal for Haiti — Freese put on a strong performance and was especially heralded for his work during the quarterfinals when he played hero during penalty kicks in the match against Costa Rica. 

Freese explained that head coach Mauricio Pochettino and the coaching staff had called the Gold Cup a “big step for me” as he helped the United States reach the finals, where they eventually lost to Mexico, 2-1. 

So does that mean Freese will be starting in net for the United States in 2026? 

“There’s not been much communication about that,” Freese said. “Obviously, the communication was positive, and there’s a lot of work to be done for me. I need to continue to improve in areas and continue to push, but the communication was that it was a big step, took a big step forward. 

“But that step where I reached now, that has to now be the minimum standard. That’s a new foundation for me, and I need to continue to build on that foundation.” 

Freese credited his success to the preparation he puts into his craft and said “nothing changes” whether he’s getting ready to play in an MLS preseason game or face Mexico in the Gold Cup final. 

“It gives me comfort knowing that I’ve done the same thing leading up to every game,” he said. 

USMNT captain Tyler Adams previously told The Post how “amazing” it was to see how Freese “grew into himself throughout the tournament.” Freese acknowledged that after a few games during the tournament, he started to feel more comfortable and that also plays into his success on the pitch. 

“I’m someone that when I’m myself and when I’m confident, having fun and talking smack, that’s when I’m at my best,” he said. 

Freese returned to his MLS club last week and helped NYCFC to a 2-1 victory on Wednesday over Orlando SC, a team sitting in front of City in the conference standings. And he’ll be back between the pipes Saturday when NYCFC faces Sporting KC. 

After the breakout performance in the Gold Cup, it would be easy to get ahead of oneself, but Freese is back to strengthen his case for next year. 

“Am I allowing myself to think about that, to be honest? No,” he said. “I’m someone that really likes to stay in the present. And you know there is about 330 days before the tournament starts.”