Freeman Shines

Defender Scores Twice in Big Win

Alex Freeman's meteoric rise continued Tuesday night as the 21-year-old Orlando City defender scored twice in the USMNT's dominant 5-1 victory over Uruguay, positioning himself as a genuine contender for next summer's World Cup roster.

Making only his 13th international appearance—just six months after his debut against Turkey—Freeman delivered a performance that showcased both his defensive prowess and attacking capabilities. His first goal came via a towering header from Sebastian Berhalter's corner in the 20th minute. 11 minutes later, he produced an even more impressive strike, deftly dribbling through Uruguay's defense, splitting Barcelona's Ronald Araujo and Manchester United's Manuel Ugarte before finishing clinically from close range.

The two-goal performance earned Freeman his first Man of the Match honors for the national team and capped a remarkable breakthrough year. Recently named MLS Young Player of the Year, Freeman accumulated nine goal contributions for Orlando City while earning MLS All-Star and Best XI selections. His consistency has made him indispensable to manager Mauricio Pochettino, who praised his composure on the ball, saying the team feels relieved when Freeman is in possession.

Freeman's ambitions have grown alongside his profile. A year ago, he simply hoped to break into Orlando's first team regularly. Now, wearing the Stars and Stripes, his focus has shifted entirely toward one objective: making the 2026 World Cup roster.

"For me, obviously, it's making that World Cup roster," Freeman stated plainly. "That's the biggest thing in my head right now, it's the biggest goal I have."

The defender has started every Gold Cup match and all six recent friendlies under Pochettino, consistently demonstrating maturity beyond his years. His combative spirit was evident during a late-game scuffle with Paraguay's Gustavo Gómez, showing he possesses the mental toughness required for international competition. With each performance, particularly his breakout showing against Uruguay, Freeman strengthens his World Cup case considerably.