Ranking the Top 75 MLS Players of 2024: 23. Matt Freese

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Matt Freese has been around Major League Soccer for a bit now, but he was rewarded with his first ever full season as a starting goalkeeper in 2024. He went from appearing 13 times in a season to playing in 41 matches at the age of 26. It was immediately clear that Freese just needed a chance, as he was one of the very best keepers in 2024. NYCFC struggled at times throughout the season and was able to rely on its last line of defense on a number of occasions. NYCFC conceded 49 goals, the fourth-best tally in the Eastern Conference. They finished in sixth place when the dust settled for the regular season.

Freese made five saves in his first start of the season against Charlotte. In March and April, he saved exactly five shots in four consecutive games and did not concede multiple goals in any of the contests. He saved a penalty during a 2-0 win over New England. During a dramatic 3-2 victory over Toronto FC, he stopped nine shots. He equaled that soaring number against Columbus and posted a six-save clean sheet against the Revs. He pitched another shutout in a decisive Game 3 against FC Cincinnati to advance in the playoffs. Freese came up huge in the penalty shootout as Cincy missed four shots. The season ended in the postseason edition of the Hudson River Derby.

The former Philadelphia Union man found himself a home in New York City and it has gone quite well for him thus far. According to American Soccer Analysis, Freese was the second-best goalkeeper of the season. He amassed a number of 8.32 in the goals added category, which essentially shows how valuable a player is to a team. He was the very best sweeper keeper of 2024 and ranked No. 3 in pure shotstopping. Freese logged the third-most minutes at the position as well. He singlehandedly prevented 8.89 goals, which is one of the very best tallies in MLS. He made 135 total saves during the fantastic season. Freese comes in at No. 23.

23) MATT FREESE | GK, NYC | STATS (PERCENTILE)

8.89 GOALS PREVENTED (97%)

135 SAVES (95%)

6 CLEAN SHEETS

1 PENALTY SAVE