Matt Freese makes World Cup debut as U.S. goalie against Paraguay

Matt Freese, a 27-year-old goalkeeper, prepares for his World Cup debut for the United States against Paraguay on June 11, 2026. Although the U.S. lost its send-off match to Germany 2-1, Freese is anticipated to start in the opening game of the tournament. Despite not having the same international experience as previous U.S. goalkeepers, Freese has emerged as a possible key player, particularly after his successful performance in saving penalty shots during the Gold Cup last summer. His background includes a degree in economics from Harvard, where he studied penalty-kick analytics, setting him apart from traditional goalkeeping paths.

• 6:10 PMYahoo Sports — The U.S. Goalie for the World Cup Studied Penalty-Kick Analytics at Harvard