The recognition for NYCFC's Matt Freese continues in the 2025 season | OneFootball

Right now, Matt Freese and New York City FC are preparing for the MLS Cup Playoffs as they get ready for the Round One Best-of-3 series against Charlotte FC. It will be a challenge, but the Pigeons will try to move on in the playoffs. At the same time, Freese can celebrate the fact that he continues to be recognized this season.

The goalkeeper is not only receiving call-ups with the USMNT, but he is finally being seen as one of the top keepers in Major League Soccer. Funny enough, one can argue that he was a little better statistically in 2024, but nevertheless, he has been, and continues to be, vital for NYCFC.

Matt Freese is being recognized

To begin, Freese was nominated for the 2025 MLS Save of the Year. Notably, about half of the goalkeepers are nominated, and some might argue that the team's 2024 MVP had better saves this year. Still, his save that he made on the line in Nashville was the one that was nominated. It was a great save since he had to redirect himself to move to his left, and was part of the reason why the Boys in Blue's road woes began to go away.

However, the big recognition for the 2025 season is that Freese was finally nominated for the Goalkeeper of the Year. This comes after he was snubbed last season despite his brilliant performances all season long. The keeper was a major reason the Pigeons made the playoffs and improved from the disastrous 2023 season.

While statistically he has not been as strong, Freese is still deserving of the nomination. Like last year, he continued to be critical to NYCFC. A great example was the home match against Charlotte FC, in which he helped lead the team to a 2-0 win.

But again, he was in the middle of the pack for most of the statistics, including his eight clean sheets, 96 saves, and 42 goals allowed. He did have two more clean sheets this year, but he was third in saves in 2024, with 121.

Hence, it is a little comical that Freese was nominated this season when he was a little better last season. Still, stats do not always tell the whole story. Rather, the individual moments in a game that can make a difference in a result also matter. And, the NYCFC keeper has had plenty of those in 2025.