Matt Freese Answers 26 Questions

Twenty-six players were named to the U.S. Men’s National Team roster for FIFA World Cup 2026. To get to know them better, we asked every player a set of 26 rapid-fire questions to learn more about their personalities and their journeys that led them to this incredible moment on the sport’s biggest stage.

Here are 26 questions with goalkeeper Matt Freese:

On an off day, do you like to sleep in or wake up early?

Definitely, I like to sleep in. There's no question about that.

What’s one word your family would use to describe you?

Independent, probably, just because they have a tough time getting a hold of me sometimes.

Does your family have any unique traditions?

We do white elephant, a Secret Santa type of thing. We do that every Christmastime.

What’s the funniest thing you've done for a white elephant with your family?

My mom and her siblings had this picture from the 1970s when they were younger, and it was all five of them. It was a very formal picture. So, all the cousins, our generation, we recreated that picture. The loser of every white elephant has to hang it up in their house every year for the whole year.

What’s your favorite thing to do as an uncle?

Probably an earthquake test. We put Baby Peanut right here and we do an earthquake test. If he's crying, it gets him to laugh and gets him in a better mood.

Texting or calling?

Definitely calling. No question about that one.

What is your pregame ritual?

I typically eat the exact same stuff every game. I do a lot of visualization, film and meditation. And, I listen to the same music every game.

What’s a song that's guaranteed to put a smile on your face?

“It’s Plenty” by Burna Boy.

Soft smile or smile with teeth?

I smile with teeth. That's a real smile. I feel like a soft smile is not a real smile.

What’s your favorite city you visited, and why?

It’s hard to pick one, but I love Vancouver, Barcelona and Paris.

Is there a place you haven't been to where you really want to go?

I would love to go to Thailand at some point.

If you could have one cuisine or one specific food item for the rest of your life, what would you choose?

Buffalo chicken wings with blue cheese.

What's your favorite part about living in and around New York?

Living in Hoboken is so great because I'm so close to the city, and the city is so amazing. It takes 10-15 minutes to get into the city with public transportation. Otherwise, I have my own quiet space here, which is nice.

How often do you take the subway?

Pretty much every time I go into the city. I take the subway because it's so easy.

Which city has better pizza, New York or Philly?

It has be New York, right? Definitely New York.

What’s a hobby people may be surprised to learn that you enjoy?

People would be surprised that I don't love reading. I've been working on the same book for several years, which is embarrassing.

What’s your first memory of playing soccer?

Playing in our yard in South Carolina when we lived there when I was like seven or eight years old. All the neighborhood kids came over, and it was my brother and me playing. We would play World Cup, which was the fun game we used to play when we were younger.

If you didn't play soccer, what other sport would you play?

American football. I feel like I would be a good quarterback.

Any other positions you would want to play?

Tight end.

What’s one word you would use to describe a feeling of a clean sheet?

Peace of mind. That would have to be what I would describe that as. It's because you wake up the next morning and you're not annoyed about anything,

If you weren't a goalie, what position would you want to play?

Striker, I feel like that's where all the glory is.

TV or movies?

Both.

What’s your favorite TV show and movie from growing up?

Favorite TV show was “Everybody Loves Raymond.” Favorite movie is Miracle about the 1980 U.S. Olympic men’s hockey team.

If you could have dinner with anyone from any time period, who would it be?

I was asked this question when I was in fourth or fifth grade, and I said Tim Howard. Now that I know him, I don't know if I can say the same thing, so I'll say Jason Kelce.

Who is one person who really assisted you on your journey to becoming a pro soccer player?

My mom. She drove me so many places when I was younger and really worked hard to let me chase my dreams and do what I wanted to do.

When this tournament is over, and you look back, what do you hope people say about the way you carried yourself?

I hope people say I carried myself with confidence, and I was there for the big moments.