Alex Freeman takes a powerful shot at Orlando City SC this season | OneFootball

Defender Alex Freeman is making his play for a real shot with Orlando City SC this season. He’s met all the tests culminating in the team’s first friendly this season.

Orlando City SC supporters have seen defender Alex Freeman working for a starting shot since he signed with the team in 2022.

Freeman came to the contract signing with good numbers for a back, but also some curious offensive eruptions in the U-17 competition. Those statistics included eight goals and 15 assists.

That’s why he wasn’t shy in taking the ball for a shootout after playing the whole 90 minutes in the team’s friendly against Atletico Mineiro.

He fired his penalty with power, just to the right of goalkeeper Everson, and scored it in the upper right of the net. That kept the team in the hunt until another Atletico player missed.

After all that work, Freeman didn’t show even one bead of sweat. That ability, determination, and stamina will get him the shot he’s worked for since he signed his homegrown contract. He progressed steadily from then.

Besides his showing in the friendly, he demonstrated how solidly he progressed last season in a match against D.C. United.

He earned an assist on his first goal contribution in the match. He snagged a redirected free kick by Nico Lodeiro and passed it to Ramiro Enrique, who scored in what became a 5-0 victory.

Jul 6, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando City forward Ramiro Enrique (7) celebrates with defender Alex Freeman (30) after scoring a goal against D.C. United in the second half at Inter&Co Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

To challenge for the 2024 MLS Cup, Orlando City found it necessary to pick up their speed against opponents. Alex Freeman has that speed when it’s needed.

In his first appearance of that season, Freeman came in during second-half stoppage time vs. Charlotte FC. That’s not very much time to show off skills. But Freeman did it.

First, he got off a successful pass. Then he took Orlando’s last shot. It was on-target, the ninth such shot of the match.

Alex Freeman has the skills, the speed, and the determination to help drive Orlando City SC back into the hunt for the MLS Championship. He’s ready now.