The Lifelong Education of USMNT Goalkeeper and Harvard Grad Matt Freese
Katherine Freese, recalling her brother's antics. Matt's siblings, including Katherine, were all high-achievers, with his older brother and two older sisters pursuing careers in medicine, law, and business. The family environment was highly competitive, with their father often engaging them in intellectual debates and discussions on various topics, from science and history to art and culture. Despite the emphasis on academic excellence, Matt's mother, Marcia, encouraged his creative side and supported his passion for soccer, recognizing the importance of sports in his life. As Matt grew older, his love for soccer only intensified, and he began to excel in the sport, earning a spot on the Harvard University team. However, his decision to leave Harvard and pursue a professional soccer career was met with skepticism by his father, who had envisioned a more traditional path for his son. The tension between Matt's desire to play soccer and his father's expectations would become a defining aspect of their relationship, one that would ultimately shape Matt's journey as a professional athlete.
Lyssa Freese, an assistant professor of earth system science at the University of California Irvine, notes that her father's influence extended beyond academics, as he encouraged his children to develop their unique perspectives and voices. Matt, in particular, demonstrated leadership qualities from a young age, which were fostered by his family's dynamic.
The family's frequent relocations due to his father's work allowed Matt to develop his social skills, particularly through soccer, which became a common ground for making new friends. In South Carolina, an 8-year-old Matt was inspired by a neighbor who was a goalkeeper, and soon, his brother Tim was testing his skills with endless shots on goal in their backyard.
While Matt's athletic abilities were evident, his brother Tim recalls that it wasn't immediately clear that he would become a national team goalie. The siblings, all of whom were intelligent and athletic, engaged in various activities, including creating boats out of tinfoil and testing their buoyancy, which reflected their innate interest in physics.
Matt stands out as the "oddball" in the family, with his passion for sports and music, as evident from his involvement in his high school's jazz band and his record-breaking performances in the 200-meter sprint and 300-meter hurdles. The siblings' physical gifts can be attributed to their maternal grandfather, Jack Geary, who was drafted by the NFL's New York Bulldogs in 1949.
Matt's mother, Marcia, notices similarities between her father and Matt, including their athleticism, leadership qualities, and sense of style. She also appreciates the coincidence that the Bulldogs practiced at the old Yankee Stadium, while Matt now plays for NYCFC at the new Yankee Stadium.
The frequent moves and their father's absence drew the children and their mother closer together. Matt reflects on his father's dedication to his career, acknowledging that it sometimes came at a personal cost, but ultimately stemmed from a selfless desire to help others.
After his siblings moved out, Matt and his mother developed a routine that included watching the film "Miracle" about the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team repeatedly. Matt was particularly inspired by the scene where coach Herb Brooks emphasizes the importance of teamwork, a lesson that would stay with him throughout his athletic career.
Geary Wolicki attributes Matt's current success to the values instilled in him, particularly those learned from the film "Miracle." She believes that the movie's emphasis on teamwork has had a lasting impact on Matt's athletic career. Looking back, Geary Wolicki realizes that signs of Matt's future in sports were present from an early age. In elementary school, Matt had expressed his admiration for then-USMNT goalkeeper Tim Howard, and in middle school, he even created a fake letter from Real Madrid, inviting him to join the club's academy.
Although the letter was a prank, it showed Matt's desire to play soccer at a high level. As he entered high school, Matt joined the Philadelphia Union academy and went on to train with world-class clubs, including Manchester United. He took his craft seriously, engineering moves to better club teams and mimicking the work ethic his family modeled. At 14 or 15, Matt would wake up at 5 a.m. to practice soccer or lift weights before school, demonstrating his dedication to the sport.
Matt's mother supported his soccer aspirations, but his father had reservations about a career in professional sports, viewing it as potentially selfish. Despite this, Matt chose to attend Harvard, his father's alma mater, where he could balance his soccer career with academic expectations. At Harvard, Matt planned to double-major in economics and computer science and was involved in various extracurricular activities, including the Investment Association and the Key Society.
After leaving school, Matt made use of his free time by auditing masters-level sports business classes at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton business school. He would attend lectures and ask questions, demonstrating his desire to continue learning and growing. Matt's decision to pursue these classes was motivated by his desire to stay focused and avoid distractions that could impact his practice the next day.
After reenrolling at Harvard, Matt scaled down to a single major in economics and took a full load of classes, either online or by flying to Cambridge, Massachusetts, to sit for exams. "It was hard, but it was super beneficial," he says. "When you're a 20-year-old professional athlete, it's a little bit difficult to stay focused. Me being in classes, on my computer every single day, forced me to be super focused and not be doing things I shouldn't be doing."
He kept his professional athletic career private from his professors, who only knew him as an extreme commuter student. Matt graduated from Harvard just a year late, in May 2022, within a year of his father's passing. His father had eventually become more supportive of his career choice in the last year or two before he passed away. "It took some years and some convincing, but we finally got there and he was more supportive of the career choice in the last year or two before he passed," Matt says.
Being a full-time college student and professional athlete had its benefits. "It really allowed me to thrive on the field," Matt says. "There's also a lot of research about the development of the brain in the classroom and how the neural pathways can allow you to learn more quickly on the field." He also learned from working on group projects, which helped him develop problem-solving skills and an emotional quotient.
Matt had the opportunity to learn from the Philadelphia Union's star goalkeeper, Andre Blake. Instead of resenting his status, Matt saw it as a chance to learn and grow. "To work with him for 4½ years, learn under him ... as well as push him and help him, was such a blessing at age 20," he says. Matt was also elected onto U.S. Soccer's Athletes' Council and became a team rep in the Major League Soccer Players Association after just his second season as a pro.
In addition to his athletic pursuits, Matt interned with a private equity group in the summer of 2022. Despite his many accomplishments, Matt still views himself as the "jock" among his siblings. However, his family disagrees with this perception. "I don't agree with that, but absolutely he views himself that way," his mother says. "All three boys went to Harvard. He has the exact same degree. I think to be able to get to where he is, that is an intellectual pursuit."
Matt undertook a research project at Harvard, which he prefers not to discuss. When asked about it, he becomes evasive, rubbing his head with both hands and leaning back in his seat. The project is related to tendencies in penalty takers, an area where he excels. He parried three penalties in the USMNT's shootout against Costa Rica in the Gold Cup quarterfinals last summer. "I'll talk about it in 13 years when I'm done playing when I'm 40," Matt says. "I want to keep that to myself because it's still kind of a competitive advantage, if other people are reading it."
In a conversation with Matt, he appears unfazed by the pressure of being the USMNT's incumbent goalkeeper at the start of a World Cup year. He claims not to be thinking that far ahead, instead focusing on the present moment. As he sits on a hotel patio in Palm Springs, California, surrounded by palm trees and purple lights, he exudes a sense of calm and composure. With a lot of soccer still to be played, Matt is taking things one game at a time.
As he navigates his multifaceted life, Matt remains committed to his unique approach, blending athletic dedication with intellectual curiosity and a passion for personal growth. His long-term vision extends beyond his soccer career, with a keen interest in exploring the business side of sports. This forward-thinking mindset led him to join U.S. Soccer's board of directors in March 2025, a role he campaigned for, driven by a desire to learn and contribute to the sport's governance.
Despite his unconventional pursuits, Matt also engages in traditional pre-game rituals, which he believes are essential to his preparation. He adheres to a strict routine, starting two days before a match, involving film analysis, meditation, and physical recovery techniques like ice and compression boots. Prioritizing sleep, he aims for at least nine hours of rest, backed by research suggesting that sleep two days before a game has a more significant impact on performance than the night before.
Matt's routine also includes a consistent diet, with a favorite pre-game meal of spaghetti, red sauce, and sourdough toast, which he eats again as leftovers before the match. His dedication to his craft is complemented by a sense of social responsibility, as evident in his past volunteer work at a local soup kitchen with his former teammate, Freese, on the day before a game when they were on the road.
As he prepares to return east, Matt will resume his rigorous training and playing schedule, driven by a relentless pursuit of excellence and a commitment to serving his country as the USMNT's goalkeeper. With his distinctive blend of athletic talent, intellectual curiosity, and personal values, Matt continues to forge a unique path, one that will likely extend far beyond his soccer career.
Lyssa Freese, an assistant professor of earth system science at the University of California Irvine, notes that her father's influence extended beyond academics, as he encouraged his children to develop their unique perspectives and voices. Matt, in particular, demonstrated leadership qualities from a young age, which were fostered by his family's dynamic.
The family's frequent relocations due to his father's work allowed Matt to develop his social skills, particularly through soccer, which became a common ground for making new friends. In South Carolina, an 8-year-old Matt was inspired by a neighbor who was a goalkeeper, and soon, his brother Tim was testing his skills with endless shots on goal in their backyard.
While Matt's athletic abilities were evident, his brother Tim recalls that it wasn't immediately clear that he would become a national team goalie. The siblings, all of whom were intelligent and athletic, engaged in various activities, including creating boats out of tinfoil and testing their buoyancy, which reflected their innate interest in physics.
Matt stands out as the "oddball" in the family, with his passion for sports and music, as evident from his involvement in his high school's jazz band and his record-breaking performances in the 200-meter sprint and 300-meter hurdles. The siblings' physical gifts can be attributed to their maternal grandfather, Jack Geary, who was drafted by the NFL's New York Bulldogs in 1949.
Matt's mother, Marcia, notices similarities between her father and Matt, including their athleticism, leadership qualities, and sense of style. She also appreciates the coincidence that the Bulldogs practiced at the old Yankee Stadium, while Matt now plays for NYCFC at the new Yankee Stadium.
The frequent moves and their father's absence drew the children and their mother closer together. Matt reflects on his father's dedication to his career, acknowledging that it sometimes came at a personal cost, but ultimately stemmed from a selfless desire to help others.
After his siblings moved out, Matt and his mother developed a routine that included watching the film "Miracle" about the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team repeatedly. Matt was particularly inspired by the scene where coach Herb Brooks emphasizes the importance of teamwork, a lesson that would stay with him throughout his athletic career.
Geary Wolicki attributes Matt's current success to the values instilled in him, particularly those learned from the film "Miracle." She believes that the movie's emphasis on teamwork has had a lasting impact on Matt's athletic career. Looking back, Geary Wolicki realizes that signs of Matt's future in sports were present from an early age. In elementary school, Matt had expressed his admiration for then-USMNT goalkeeper Tim Howard, and in middle school, he even created a fake letter from Real Madrid, inviting him to join the club's academy.
Although the letter was a prank, it showed Matt's desire to play soccer at a high level. As he entered high school, Matt joined the Philadelphia Union academy and went on to train with world-class clubs, including Manchester United. He took his craft seriously, engineering moves to better club teams and mimicking the work ethic his family modeled. At 14 or 15, Matt would wake up at 5 a.m. to practice soccer or lift weights before school, demonstrating his dedication to the sport.
Matt's mother supported his soccer aspirations, but his father had reservations about a career in professional sports, viewing it as potentially selfish. Despite this, Matt chose to attend Harvard, his father's alma mater, where he could balance his soccer career with academic expectations. At Harvard, Matt planned to double-major in economics and computer science and was involved in various extracurricular activities, including the Investment Association and the Key Society.
After leaving school, Matt made use of his free time by auditing masters-level sports business classes at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton business school. He would attend lectures and ask questions, demonstrating his desire to continue learning and growing. Matt's decision to pursue these classes was motivated by his desire to stay focused and avoid distractions that could impact his practice the next day.
After reenrolling at Harvard, Matt scaled down to a single major in economics and took a full load of classes, either online or by flying to Cambridge, Massachusetts, to sit for exams. "It was hard, but it was super beneficial," he says. "When you're a 20-year-old professional athlete, it's a little bit difficult to stay focused. Me being in classes, on my computer every single day, forced me to be super focused and not be doing things I shouldn't be doing."
He kept his professional athletic career private from his professors, who only knew him as an extreme commuter student. Matt graduated from Harvard just a year late, in May 2022, within a year of his father's passing. His father had eventually become more supportive of his career choice in the last year or two before he passed away. "It took some years and some convincing, but we finally got there and he was more supportive of the career choice in the last year or two before he passed," Matt says.
Being a full-time college student and professional athlete had its benefits. "It really allowed me to thrive on the field," Matt says. "There's also a lot of research about the development of the brain in the classroom and how the neural pathways can allow you to learn more quickly on the field." He also learned from working on group projects, which helped him develop problem-solving skills and an emotional quotient.
Matt had the opportunity to learn from the Philadelphia Union's star goalkeeper, Andre Blake. Instead of resenting his status, Matt saw it as a chance to learn and grow. "To work with him for 4½ years, learn under him ... as well as push him and help him, was such a blessing at age 20," he says. Matt was also elected onto U.S. Soccer's Athletes' Council and became a team rep in the Major League Soccer Players Association after just his second season as a pro.
In addition to his athletic pursuits, Matt interned with a private equity group in the summer of 2022. Despite his many accomplishments, Matt still views himself as the "jock" among his siblings. However, his family disagrees with this perception. "I don't agree with that, but absolutely he views himself that way," his mother says. "All three boys went to Harvard. He has the exact same degree. I think to be able to get to where he is, that is an intellectual pursuit."
Matt undertook a research project at Harvard, which he prefers not to discuss. When asked about it, he becomes evasive, rubbing his head with both hands and leaning back in his seat. The project is related to tendencies in penalty takers, an area where he excels. He parried three penalties in the USMNT's shootout against Costa Rica in the Gold Cup quarterfinals last summer. "I'll talk about it in 13 years when I'm done playing when I'm 40," Matt says. "I want to keep that to myself because it's still kind of a competitive advantage, if other people are reading it."
In a conversation with Matt, he appears unfazed by the pressure of being the USMNT's incumbent goalkeeper at the start of a World Cup year. He claims not to be thinking that far ahead, instead focusing on the present moment. As he sits on a hotel patio in Palm Springs, California, surrounded by palm trees and purple lights, he exudes a sense of calm and composure. With a lot of soccer still to be played, Matt is taking things one game at a time.
As he navigates his multifaceted life, Matt remains committed to his unique approach, blending athletic dedication with intellectual curiosity and a passion for personal growth. His long-term vision extends beyond his soccer career, with a keen interest in exploring the business side of sports. This forward-thinking mindset led him to join U.S. Soccer's board of directors in March 2025, a role he campaigned for, driven by a desire to learn and contribute to the sport's governance.
Despite his unconventional pursuits, Matt also engages in traditional pre-game rituals, which he believes are essential to his preparation. He adheres to a strict routine, starting two days before a match, involving film analysis, meditation, and physical recovery techniques like ice and compression boots. Prioritizing sleep, he aims for at least nine hours of rest, backed by research suggesting that sleep two days before a game has a more significant impact on performance than the night before.
Matt's routine also includes a consistent diet, with a favorite pre-game meal of spaghetti, red sauce, and sourdough toast, which he eats again as leftovers before the match. His dedication to his craft is complemented by a sense of social responsibility, as evident in his past volunteer work at a local soup kitchen with his former teammate, Freese, on the day before a game when they were on the road.
As he prepares to return east, Matt will resume his rigorous training and playing schedule, driven by a relentless pursuit of excellence and a commitment to serving his country as the USMNT's goalkeeper. With his distinctive blend of athletic talent, intellectual curiosity, and personal values, Matt continues to forge a unique path, one that will likely extend far beyond his soccer career.
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