Matt Freese and Max Alfsten kicked off their year at the U.S. national team’s training camp in South Florida. While not widely recognized outside of Major League Soccer, the two players received invites to the annual winter gathering, often mockingly referred to as “Camp Cupcake.”
Freese, a Harvard University graduate, played one season as a full-time starter in MLS, while Alfsten, now in his third year as a professional, has been following the league’s evolution closely.
The 2026 World Cup is approaching, but for many fringe players invited to this January camp, the tournament still feels distant.
Concerns about the World Cup aside, are Freese and Alfsten looking at more chances to represent the U.S.?
This week, the team has two friendly matches scheduled before their final camp of the year in Philadelphia. This is a full international window, with many regulars under coach Mauricio Pochettino participating, although several notable U.S. players are missing for various reasons.
Nevertheless, Freese and Alfsten continue to receive regular calls to the national team and are solidly in the starting lineup.
Alfsten, a 24-year-old wing-back for the Columbus Crew, has 12 starts for the national team this year, leading in that category. He is tied for first with four assists and ranks second with 14 appearances, just behind promising MLS talent Diego Luna, who debuted with the U.S. in 2024.
Freese, a 27-year-old goalkeeper for New York City FC, follows closely with 11 starts, despite not making his international debut until June. Since then, he has started every game but one and has a streak of 10 consecutive starts, placing him among the seven players expected to participate in six matches during the upcoming Gold Cup.
New York City FC goalkeeper Matt Freese has started 10 consecutive games for the U.S. Men’s National Team. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
(Jacob Kupferman, via Getty Images)
“After that first call-up, I thought it couldn’t get any better, but it’s just as thrilling every time. It’s truly an honor,” Freese shared this week. “I’m thankful for all the feedback this year… It has been a year full of opportunities and growth, but I know there’s more ahead for me.”
Freese is expected to start against Paraguay on Saturday in Chester, Pennsylvania, just 16 miles from his high school, Episcopal Academy, and at the stadium where he began his MLS career, Subaru Park.
He will likely receive another call-up for Tuesday’s match against Uruguay in Tampa. This match is one of six autumn friendlies aimed at helping Pochettino finalize his roster. The U.S. team won’t regroup until late March when they’ll have a final training camp ahead of the World Cup squad announcement in May.
Unless there are injuries or drastic performance drops, both Freese and Alfsten are on track for the 26-man roster. Additionally, Freese may be in contention for World Cup qualifying, as primary starter Matt Turner was not included in this week’s camp and has been replaced by Freese, Columbus’ Patrick Schulte, FC Cincinnati’s Roman Celentano, and Italy-based Jonathan Klinsmann. (Out of these three, only Schulte has played for the U.S. team, appearing in three matches.)
Alfsten’s situation differs from Freese’s. He has filled in for Fulham’s reliable starter Anthony Robinson, who hasn’t played for the national team since sustaining a knee injury a year ago. Robinson was back in camp in the U.S. last month but experienced a setback and remains sidelined from Fulham.
In the absence of Anthony Robinson, Max Alfsten of the Columbus Crew has committed to the USMNT. (Photo by Chris Carter/Getty Images)
(Chris Carter, via Getty Images)
Pochettino has limited depth on the left side, with John Tolkien as a clear backup, but he could move World Cup veteran Sergiño Dest from the right or use versatile winger Tim Weah, who was not called up this week due to fitness issues following a thigh injury.
Even if Alfsten doesn’t start during the World Cup, he has accumulated valuable international experience and fits well into Pochettino’s preferred system that prioritizes wing-backs over traditional full-backs. (Alfsten serves as a wing-back for Columbus.)
“I felt I did everything I could in training to showcase my capabilities,” he said about his performance in the Florida camp. “All I wanted was to position myself at the club level to get invited to upcoming camps. That was my focus.”
Alfsten has had a successful year with Columbus, making 37 appearances across all competitions, netting seven goals, and assisting 10 times—a notable achievement for someone in a deeper position. His eight assists during the regular season tie him for the team lead.
Pochettino’s calls have kept coming. Alfsten started in five of the six Gold Cup games, scoring during the quarterfinals match against Costa Rica.
“It has made me a more well-rounded player,” Alfsten said. “Certain moments enhanced my sharpness. Just being in these camps and receiving the coaching staff’s belief and advice has greatly boosted my confidence and growth as a player.”
After two seasons at UC Davis, Alfsten signed his first professional contract with the San Jose Earthquakes’ development team in MLS III, a steady journey to the top. After failing to make San Jose’s first team, he entered the 2023 MLS Draft and was selected by Columbus with the 14th overall pick.
Freese, on the other hand, left Harvard early to join the Philadelphia Union. After 13 regular season starts over three seasons, he was traded to NYCFC. He initially served as a backup in 2023 but transitioned to a starting role in 2024 and 2025, catching Pochettino’s attention.
“The last six months have felt lengthy, but the opportunities from the coaching staff mean a lot,” Freese remarked. “Trust is vital for me, granting me the freedom to be myself and evolve throughout these ten or eleven matches… Seizing every chance to continue growing is essential.”
Freese speaks highly of his work with U.S. goalkeeper coach Toni Jimenez, a 1992 Olympic gold medalist from Spain who’s collaborated with Pochettino since 2009.
“We keep in touch even when not at camp,” Freese noted. “Jimenez had a stellar playing career and understands the mindset needed to be a team’s anchor, deal with pressure, remain humble, and continue striving for improvement.”
Alfsten highlighted that despite a rocky start this year, the mix of veterans and rookies has fostered strength, with the lineup adjusting from camp to camp.
“Most of us are now playing together, and we’re developing that chemistry and grasping what the coaches expect from us,” he said.
While the team’s aspirations are growing as they head into the summer, especially following three consecutive wins against other World Cup teams, individual players are vying for a spot on the roster.
“We all want to be there next summer, and the way to achieve that is to focus daily on training during camps and at our clubs,” Freese expressed. “The focus should be on honing skills, performing well, and impressing on game days. The World Cup is on the back burner, and I aim to showcase my abilities whenever I’m in camp.”
Fan Take: This news is crucial for soccer enthusiasts as it highlights the emergence of fresh talent like Freese and Alfsten, who could shape the U.S. Men’s National Team’s future. Their ongoing development within the national setup not only excites fans but also signals a bright trajectory for American soccer on the global stage.
