Rewritten Content
What emotions and thoughts does Thanksgiving bring to mind? For many Americans, it’s all about family and football—feelings that resonate with Green Bay Packers icon Antonio Freeman, who adds a new element to his celebrations: soccer, thanks to his son, Alex Freeman.
Alex is currently making waves as a defender for the U.S. men’s national team (USMNT), and his standout performances have placed him in contention for next year’s World Cup roster. Antonio recently witnessed his son’s burgeoning talent firsthand during a match against Uruguay, where Alex shined by outracing renowned defender Ronald Araujo to net his second goal of the game in a resounding 5-1 victory.
The Super Bowl champion and Packers Hall of Famer celebrated this moment alongside fellow parents and former teammates in a suite at Raymond James Stadium, home of the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Reflecting on another recent game, Antonio recalled Alex’s fierce performance against Paraguay just days prior, where the young defender was involved in a heated altercation.
“I had no idea Alex was in a fight,” Antonio shared during a phone interview. “Now here I am, witnessing him in the middle of a fierce brawl.”
This incident seemingly ignited something in Alex, culminating in his impressive play against Uruguay. Despite having limited appearances for Orlando City before this season, he secured a starting position as right-back and quickly excelled, earning a call-up to the national team for last summer’s Concacaf Gold Cup.
Freeman’s impressive progress has made him one of the options for coach Mauricio Pochettino’s roster for next summer’s World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States. This tournament will feature an unprecedented 48 teams, marking a historic moment in its 96-year history.
During the fall, Alex represented the U.S., positioning himself as a key player for this monumental event, surprising many who didn’t expect his rapid ascent from MLS prospect to national team player within such a short time. Among the few who did foresee his potential was coach Oscar Pareja.
“I’m not really surprised,” Pareja remarked. “Alex has demonstrated remarkable consistency since joining our academy.”
Pareja, known for spotting young talent, previously helped develop players like Weston McKennie and Jesus Ferreira, both of whom reached World Cup status. When Pochettino’s assistant, Jesus Perez, visited Orlando’s training facility last spring, he recommended that the national team pay attention to Alex, the son of a famous athlete.
They took notice, promoting Freeman to the starting right-back position while 2022 World Cup hopeful Sergiño Dest took a summer break to recover from ACL surgery. Pochettino’s trust in Freeman proved well-placed.
“Our responsibility is to envision the future of our players,” Pochettino said after their historic win against Uruguay, during which they netted five goals for the first time against a South American team. “We provided a platform for him to showcase his talent, and the credit goes to him.”
Perez also commended Orlando City’s coaching staff, while Pareja acknowledged Freeman’s academy mentors. Alex himself had a late growth spurt and now stands taller than his father, who is 6 feet 2 inches.
This physicality led high school football coaches to take notice, though Alex’s mother had previously barred him from playing. His athleticism recently shone through on the soccer field against Araujo, a member of Barcelona.
“He has always wanted to take on defenders with his dribbling,” Antonio said. “As a right-back, opportunities to show that skill can be limited, but witnessing him break through defenses so smoothly was truly remarkable, especially against one of the world’s best.”
Alex’s journey has just begun, with the transformative year of 2026 nearing. European clubs are likely to pursue him in the next transfer window, but the World Cup remains his top focus. He expressed, “We need to be in peak condition for the World Cup. I feel at home in Orlando, and I know what I need to do to prepare for this crucial time in my life.”
Although Antonio and Alex won’t be together for Thanksgiving, they’ll both cheer for the Packers as they face off against their rivals, the Detroit Lions. If all goes well, Antonio hopes to accompany Alex and the USMNT on their journey during the World Cup next summer.
“I hope our wins against Paraguay and Uruguay energize U.S. fans,” Antonio remarked. “They appreciate that toughness and grit. With a blend of young and experienced players, we’re ready to give our all and aim for victory in the World Cup.”
Fan Take
This story highlights the rising prominence of soccer in the U.S. and represents a pivotal moment for young talent. Alex Freeman’s emergence not only excites soccer enthusiasts but also signals a growing investment in youth development, a crucial element for the sport’s future success on an international stage.
