Goalkeeper Matt Freese admits he has yet to come to terms with the United States’ sudden exit from the 2026 World Cup, following a 4-1 defeat to Belgium in the round of 16.
In fact, he isn’t sure he ever will.
“Significant losses in high-stakes moments are something that stay with you throughout your career,” Freese shared with The Associated Press in advance of the Major League Soccer All-Star Game scheduled for Wednesday in Charlotte. “They serve as motivation for the rest of your journey.”
During the loss, Freese made a crucial error by rushing out of his box to intercept a long ball. Hesitating under pressure, he failed to clear it effectively.
Belgium seized the opportunity and converted his mistake into a goal, extending their lead to 3-1 in the 57th minute and effectively sealing the Americans’ fate.
American soccer fans have not let him forget this incident.
In his first MLS match since the World Cup last week, Freese, now with New York City FC, faced boos from the crowd each time he touched the ball during the game in Columbus, Ohio.
“It’s crucial not to let negative moments define you, but at the same time, good moments shouldn’t do that either,” Freese observed. “Maintaining a steady presence with a consistent attitude is vital.”
Freese is among four U.S. national team players chosen for the MLS All-Star Game.
Veteran defender Tim Ream candidly admitted he doesn’t have a secret recipe for how the Americans can eventually make it to the World Cup quarterfinals, but he emphasizes one thing: hard work.
“You just keep your head down and give it your all,” Ream stated. “Eventually, you’ll push through that barrier. It takes effort, relentless effort…and before you know it, you’re past that point.”
Despite the setback, Ream remains optimistic about the future.
Wing-back Max Arfsten believes that the heightened fan interest in soccer during the World Cup, particularly with most matches held in the United States, will inspire more young athletes to take up the game.
He emphasized, “Our next step is to continue to grow the sport. The more individuals that get involved, the better our players will be. Increased competitiveness and more players succeeding in top leagues in Europe are crucial. All these factors combined will lead to our success.”
Ream noted that with regard to the World Cup, it’s possible to feel both disappointment over the early exit and pride for the achievements made in the earlier matches.
“We can be proud of how it unified the nation and raised awareness for the sport – and just how enjoyable the experience was,” Ream reflected.
Freese concurs, adding, “It’s crucial to recognize the positive outcomes from the tournament and how they can inspire future generations to excel further – to surpass the round of 16, press on to the quarterfinals, and ultimately reach the semis and finals.”
Charlotte will host the MLS All-Star Game for the first time at Bank of America Stadium, owned by Charlotte FC, but the event will again be missing its biggest star.
Lionel Messi, who played a pivotal role in Argentina‘s journey to the World Cup finals before losing to Spain, is taking a break before returning to soccer and Inter Miami CF.
He has been replaced on the roster.
Messi has scored 12 goals and made eight assists this season in MLS play.
Many players, including Ream, have observed a significant increase in fan interest in MLS and soccer overall since the World Cup.
“We were aware of it during the World Cup, but now it feels like I can’t even step outside without being recognized,” Ream noted.
And he’s not complaining.
“While our primary focus is to compete and win games, it’s incredibly rewarding to know that more people are paying attention to our sport,” Ream concluded.