The U.S. men’s national team’s World Cup run ended Monday with a 4-0 loss to Belgium. Goalkeeper Matt Freese had a rough one. He let in four goals and made a costly error on Belgium’s third, kicking a clearance straight to a Belgian attacker for an easy finish. It was the kind of mistake that kills a comeback before it can start.
So naturally, the next day, Freese’s club New York City FC announced he’d been named an MLS All-Star. The club posted on X: “Recognition earned through the work all season long. Matty is a 2026 MLS All-Star.”
The timing is not great. Freese is a good goalkeeper who had a strong MLS season. But announcing his All-Star selection less than 24 hours after a high-profile World Cup error makes the honor feel awkward at best. Fans online didn’t miss it. A few noted the contrast between the MLS recognition and the international stage struggle.
Freese isn’t the only USMNT player on the MLS All-Star roster who had a rough World Cup game. Defender Tim Ream was involved in three of Belgium’s four goals and also made the All-Star squad, representing Charlotte FC. Ream and Freese join Max Arfsten and Sebastian Berhalter as USMNT players heading to the All-Star game.
In total, 13 players who were on World Cup rosters made the MLS All-Star team. That includes Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul from Argentina and Inter Miami. Canada will send Richie Laryea and Maxime Crepeau. The MLS All-Stars face Liga MX’s All-Stars on July 29 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
For Freese, the All-Star nod is a real accomplishment. It’s just happening at a moment when nobody’s thinking about MLS awards.
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