06/09/26 05:20:00
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06/09 17:19 CDT US goalkeepers aim to live up to predecessors at World Cup, yet
Pochettino hasn't picked a starter
US goalkeepers aim to live up to predecessors at World Cup, yet Pochettino
hasn't picked a starter
By GREG BEACHAM
AP Sports Writer
IRVINE, Calif. (AP) --- In many previous World Cup cycles over the past three
decades, the best and most accomplished players on the U.S. men's roster were
their goalkeepers.
Kasey Keller. Brad Friedel. Tim Howard. Brad Guzan. They all played on major
international club stages, and their national team could always count on having
elite talent in net, even when the rest of the roster wasn't world-class.
That's no longer the case as the current American team prepares for its home
World Cup.
While Matt Freese and Matt Turner are both solid domestic professionals, they
have yet to match their esteemed predecessors' level of international
accomplishment for club or country. Both are hoping they can summit that
obstacle over the next few weeks --- as soon as coach Mauricio Pochettino lets
them know who's starting Friday night, that is.
"It's fair to say the U.S. has a great goalkeeping corps, historically," said
Freese, the New York City FC keeper. "I was a fan of that goalkeeping corps for
most of my life. Still am. And so it's an honor to be on this team and be a
part of that group to hopefully continue that great legacy."
The U.S. arrived at its final World Cup training base in Orange County this
week, but Pochettino has yet to announce which of his goalkeepers will start
when his team opens the group stage against Paraguay in Inglewood, California
--- and it's tough not to see that as an indicator of the state of the U.S.
situation in net.
Freese has been the Americans' regular starter since the CONCACAF Gold Cup last
summer, while Turner was their starter at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar under
coach Gregg Berhalter. Freese seems likely to be Pochettino's pick for Friday,
but the fact that it hasn't been made yet is interesting for both competitors
for the job.
"Not a ton of clarity, but I think the messaging for me is just to always be
ready," Turner said Tuesday. "It's about training really well, keep fighting,
and then the decision will be made."
No matter who gets the nod, the U.S. will have a Major League Soccer goalkeeper
in net at the World Cup for the first time. That's a coup for MLS, but the
Americans are used to fielding goalies who had success beyond their shores.
The 27-year-old Freese has spent his pro career in MLS since he left Harvard in
early 2019. The 31-year-old Turner is also back in North America's top league
with the New England Revolution after his European career stalled before it
really got rolling.
Pochettino has split up the time in net in the Americans' four matches in 2026,
even working third-stringer Chris Brady into the mix. Turner started their
friendly against Senegal last month, while Freese got his turn last weekend
against Germany.
Turner knows he is probably behind Freese on Pochettino's depth chart, but the
lack of a starting announcement has him working just that much harder.
"Given the fact that I haven't played a ton in the last year for the national
team, of course, for me, that makes me feel like the door is always cracked,"
Turner said. "Everyone has a chance. But I think the coach will always pick the
guy that's playing the best, and he's going to make the right decision for the
team, and whatever my role is going to be, I'm going to be ready to do it to
the best of my ability."
Turner made his U.S. debut in early 2021, while Freese only got his first U.S.
callup in January 2025, finally making his debut last June. But he quickly
seized the starting job and played all six Gold Cup matches, earning praise for
a run that included two clean sheets and three penalty saves during a
successful shootout.
"I dream of this opportunity," Freese said. "You work for this opportunity, but
you never know if it's going to come. I learned probably nine years ago, the
ones that work hard without the promise of reward are the ones that usually
succeed."
NOTES: All 26 players participated in a full practice Tuesday for the first
time in this World Cup training cycle. Tyler Adams, who sat out Monday's light
workout for a maintenance day, was in the mix along with defender Chris
Richards, who went through his second straight full practice while recovering
from an ankle injury he picked up last month with Crystal Palace.
___
AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/fifa-world-cup
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