The USA’s strong start to this World Cup has inspired confidence at every position — except goalkeeper. That’s not because Matt Freese has erred in anyway whatsoever. But because he hasn’t been tested. Freese made three easy saves in two games. They would have been deemed howlers had any one of those shots made their […]
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Posted inSoccer America Daily
Surfing, ‘smores and sun: US players bond at California ‘oasis’
Midway through US goalkeeper Matt Freese’s World Cup media duties on Tuesday, the familiar face of Weston McKennie appeared among the scrum of reporters and cameras. “It’s hard to focus on you guys!” said Freese, as the star midfielder tried his best to distract his teammate. “He was also our chauffeur — he drove us […]
Posted inSoccer America Confidential
MLS’s most important World Cup 2026 players
The 2026 World Cup kicks off today! A record 45 Major League Soccer players have made the squads and will represent their nations at this summer’s tournament, the biggest event in sports. Here at SoccerAmerica, we’re breaking down the ones who are most crucial to their squads. Lionel Messi (Argentina) Obviously. The 2022 World Cup […]
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Freese or Turner? Let’s hope Pochettino knows which goalkeeper to bank on
American soccer’s most famous goalkeeper controversy — picking a No. 1 between Kasey Keller and Brad Friedel — was a spoiled-for-choice situation. Coach Mauricio Pochettino choosing between Matt Turner and Matt Freese — that’s a no-perfect-option dilemma. And here we are, 10 days until the USA’s 2026 World Cup opener not knowing who’ll be the […]
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The USMNT questions that need to be answered in its two friendlies
Earlier this week, U.S. men’s national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino named his roster for the World Cup and it was not without debate. While it is true that every coach in the tournament had to make painful and debatable cuts, the USMNT is faced with additional issues of roster balance, depth in key positions, […]
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USMNT: One last guess at the 26-player World Cup roster
On Tuesday, U.S. men’s national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino will name his roster for the 2026 World Cup. Once he does, the speculation and guesswork about how he sees the player pool will end and final preparations will begin. For everyone observing this team, there is a lot we don’t know. Pochettino and his […]
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USMNT’s March backslide: Formation changes leave even more to untangle
For the U.S. national team, the March international window was both a gut check and a gut punch. The gap was wide at times between the USMNT and the top-tier European teams it faced. Mauricio Pochettino’s team had decent moments in both games, but both Belgium and Portugal raised their levels to a height the […]
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Top 5 games: Tracking U.S. World Cup hopefuls in Germany, France, MLS and Spain
Gio Reyna might make the World Cup team, but he still needs to salvage his club career.
Posted inSoccer America Daily
Five months after debut, keeper Matt Freese set for 12th USMNT start
If Matt Freese ends up the starting goalkeeper at the 2026 World Cup, he’ll be the most inexperienced U.S. World Cup keeper since Tony Meola at the 1990 World Cup.
Posted inSoccer America Confidential
The USMNT November squad, position-by-position: A camp of opportunity amid slew of missing starters
Even before Tyler Adams had to cancel a day after clashing heads with Bournemouth teammate Adam Smith, the squad was thin on veterans.