Matt Freese's Heroics Propel NYCFC to Stunning MLS Playoff Shocker
The United States men's national soccer team will probably rely heavily on Matt Freese during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and head coach Mauricio Pochettino must have been satisfied with the goalkeeper's display on Sunday evening.
Coming off national team duties and strong showings versus Paraguay and Uruguay, Freese was at the center of MLS Cup Eastern Conference semifinal drama as fifth-seeded New York City FC battled the Supporters' Shield champion Philadelphia Union.
Despite the Union creating numerous opportunities, Freese concluded the evening with five stops and assisted his team in securing a 1–0 victory after 38-year-old Maxi Moralez netted the match's lone goal in the 27th minute.
The victory propels NYCFC to the Eastern Conference championship for the third occasion in five campaigns, where they will face Inter Miami and an in-form Lionel Messi, who has tallied six goals and an equal number of assists in a record-setting MLS Cup playoff run thus far.
"We simply stayed united, it was an outstanding collective effort, we had the icon Maxi Moralez net an incredible goal, a complete team goal, and he earned it," Freese shared with the Apple TV broadcast following the contest. "I simply kept the ball from crossing the line ... that's my responsibility, that's what I'm compensated to accomplish."
Following Moralez's strike, Philadelphia immediately sought an equalizing goal, compelling Freese into a quick-reflex stop in the 45th minute against Jakob Glesnes, who tried to convert from a tight angle following a lengthy throw into the penalty area.
Though the match settled during the second period and NYCFC created several opportunities of their own, they required Freese for his finest save of the evening in the 75th minute, as he stretched out a foot to thwart USMNT youth prospect Frankie Westfield, whose strike appeared destined for the equalizer.
The intensity continued, however, as the top-seeded Union pressed in the closing stages, forcing Freese into a 92nd-minute save from Milan Iloski's right-footed effort from distance.
When the final whistle sounded, none of the Union's efforts could overcome Freese as he recorded his 13th shutout during the regular campaign, leading his NYCFC squad into the Eastern Conference championship.
Eastern Conference Memories
Freese may have crushed Philadelphia's dreams on Sunday, but he's experienced the opposite end of this playoff encounter. In 2021, while representing the Union, he entered as a replacement for starter Andre Blake in the Eastern Conference championship, a game where NYCFC progressed before defeating the Portland Timbers in MLS Cup.
Since that time, Freese characterized his professional journey as a "roller coaster."
"It's been filled with highs and lows, many people had faith in me, and I'm extremely grateful for that," he expressed. "Friends, family, supporters here [in Philadelphia], supporters in New York, and so it's truly all thanks to them."
This season, he stands on the victorious side and has a meeting with Inter Miami for a place in MLS Cup. Should they overcome the Herons, they would travel to face either the Vancouver Whitecaps, San Diego FC or Minnesota United on Dec. 6 with the championship at stake.