Fans Unleash Boos on Matt Freese in MLS Return, Refusing to Forgive His World Cup Blunder

United States men's national team goalkeeper Matt Freese likely never anticipated that kind of reception upon his return to Major League Soccer following the 2026 World Cup.

The New York City FC shot-stopper was away from home with his club against Columbus Crew and was greeted by a wave of boos from the partisan crowd each time he had the ball.

MLS has resumed after a nearly two-month hiatus to accommodate the World Cup, and Freese started all five USMNT games as the first-choice goalkeeper. However, certain fans—particularly those in Columbus—appear to hold a grudge over his perceived contribution to the Americans' early exit.

The USMNT as a whole underperformed against Belgium in the round of 16, with the pre-match conversation largely consumed by President Trump's phone call to Gianni Infantino and Folarin Balogun's reinstatement for the game through previously untapped FIFA authority.

Yet Freese became an obvious target due to a blunder that directly led to Belgium's third goal in the 4–1 defeat. The keeper was caught in possession 30 yards out, allowing Charles De Ketelaere to dispossess him and Hans Vanaken to finish from range.

Tim Ream Criticized on MLS Return

Tim Ream was equally at fault, positioned well enough to block the effort but, if anything, shrinking his frame rather than expanding it and letting the ball slip past him into the net.

Ream mishandled a clearance as Atlanta United leveled the score on his MLS comeback for Charlotte FC on Wednesday. There were no reports of the 38-year-old being jeered, likely aided by playing on home soil—unlike Freese. Nevertheless, social media users made their displeasure abundantly clear.

Fellow USMNT defender Chris Richards was also attributed with a mistake contributing to a goal against Belgium, losing possession to Vanaken when Romelu Lukaku netted the late fourth goal. Based in Europe with Crystal Palace, he remains away from the immediate scrutiny.

The timing of Freese's error made it especially painful, as the U.S. was only one goal down at that moment and had already pulled level once when Malik Tillman's first-half free kick deflected past Thibaut Courtois. Ream's lapse was also at least a secondary mistake, only coming into play because of the goalkeeper's error that preceded it.

Home Triple Header to Come for Freese, NYCFC

On the bright side for Freese, he had the final say in Columbus. The Harvard graduate conceded just once and produced three additional saves as NYCFC secured a 2–1 win to sit sixth in the Eastern Conference, six points ahead of the Crew in 11th.

Freese can now look forward to consistent home support for the foreseeable future, as New York welcomes the Chicago Fire and Toronto FC in MLS on July 25 and 31 respectively, followed by Santos Laguna in the Leagues Cup on Aug. 6.