As the United States gears up to face Costa Rica in the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup, all eyes are on goalkeeper Matt Freese, who has stepped into the starting role, displacing Matt Turner.
Freese, 26, has been a key player for the U.S. team, having started all three group stage matches leading up to this significant challenge. While his performance has drawn attention, Freese remains focused on the task at hand and downplays thoughts of what lies ahead in the World Cup.
“It’s not at the forefront of my mind,” he stated on Wednesday. “What I’m focused on is each new game is another opportunity, and we have a big game coming up this weekend that we’re focused on.”
U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino acknowledges that Freese’s performance in the tournament has implications for the competition among goalkeepers within the national team. Despite Turner’s established reputation, Freese’s development is viewed as a vital opportunity for the future.
“This is a tournament that provides the opportunity to have this goalkeeper fighting for a position with Matt Turner in the future, but to check that out he needs to play,” Pochettino explained after the team’s opening win over Trinidad and Tobago. “We already know that Matt Turner can handle the pressure in a Gold Cup and in a World Cup. His quality is not in question. But after a hard year without play, I thought it was important for him to provide leadership from the bench, always ready to play.”
The goalkeeping situation for the United States has become a topic of concern, reminiscent of a time when players like Tony Meola, Kasey Keller, Brad Friedel, and Tim Howard were household names. Both Turner and Zack Steffen have struggled to secure regular starting positions in Europe after their transitions from Major League Soccer.
Turner, who celebrated his 31st birthday earlier this week, was the primary choice for the U.S. ahead of the 2022 World Cup. He began a streak with 14 consecutive competitive starts and had participated in 23 out of the last 24 matches prior to this Gold Cup.
Freese’s journey to the national team has been marked by determination. He made his U.S. debut in a friendly against Turkey on June 7, followed by a frustrating loss to Switzerland, where Turner returned to the starting role. However, Freese secured the starting position in the Gold Cup, leading the team to three victories, albeit with a notable mistake that led to Haiti’s equalizer in their match.
“Remember, the most important action is the next one,” recalled Pochettino. “If you think in the last one like that, you’re going to do another mistake. This type of accident happened, and it will happen in the future.”
A standout college player at Harvard, Freese was immersed in a competitive athletic environment, becoming a second-team All-Ivy goalkeeper by his sophomore year in 2018. He saw Tim Howard as a role model during his formative years.
“The natural raw athleticism that he has is something that I feel a little bit related to,” Freese reflected on his admiration for Howard.
In December 2018, Freese signed a homegrown player contract with the Philadelphia Union but found himself primarily a backup to Andre Blake, appearing in only 13 league matches from 2019 to 2022. His move to New York City in January 2023 allowed him to take the starting position after shoring up his game and holding the spot since late May.
Freese’s opportunity came after injuries sidelined Columbus’ Patrick Schulte and Steffen, creating a pathway for him to establish himself as a serious contender.
Meanwhile, Turner has faced challenges with his playing time, managing only three appearances for Crystal Palace since March of this year. He expressed the importance of fighting for every opportunity.
“Every inch, every opportunity needs to be fought for, and every opportunity that I’ve had under this current staff I’ve earned by my performances within training and the opportunities that I had this past season with Crystal Palace,” Turner said prior to the friendly against Turkey.
As preparations continue, Freese and his fellow goalkeepers, including Chris Brady, remain in camp, sharpening their skills in anticipation of facing Costa Rica.
Freese has reportedly embraced his newfound role, carrying a sense of responsibility while staying true to himself during these pivotal matches. Pochettino encouraged him to embrace his style of play, telling him, “Just be yourself. That’s all you need to do. We’re putting you in there for a reason.”
Reflecting on the connection he has developed with Turner, Freese emphasized that competition does not overshadow their relationship as teammates.
“I don’t know about friends or competitors. We’re teammates, and that’s the important thing here,” he remarked. “Whoever’s playing will have the other’s full support. It’s my job to push him in training. It’s his job to push me in training, and then when game time comes, the guy who’s playing has the full support of the other.”
As the U.S. readies for a crucial match against Costa Rica this Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium, both players know that every step counts as they vie for a coveted place in the semifinals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup, and potentially, a more significant role in the World Cup next year.
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