"Howard said he likes Turner a lot but would go with the NYCFC shotstopper for the USA's opening game against Paraguay next month. He's a late bloomer, which means he's very mature, Howard said. He doesn't seem to get rattled by the big moment. Howard added that most starting US goalkeepers have produced a standout performance in a previous tournament, inspiring confidence in the back line in front of him."
"However, he added that Freese has not had a chance to have a shining moment because he is so young in his international career. All of our goalkeepers have produced a performance when the team needed them. They stood on their head, and you basically then had the narrative, if we need this guy to save us, he can. Because Matt is so young in his international career, he hasn't had that opportunity."
"If he's going to have a shining moment, it's going to have to be in the World Cup. Howard set a World Cup record by making 16 saves in the USA's 2-1 round-of-16 defeat to Belgium at the 2014 World Cup, but the former Manchester United and Everton keeper hopes that Freese can break that record in front of a home crowd this summer. He believes that playing a World Cup on home soil will be a special moment for American players."
"He expects the USMNT to feed off the energy of playing in a home World Cup. Howard said he likes Turner a lot but would go with the NYCFC shotstopper for the USA's opening game against Paraguay next month. Freese made his debut for the US Men's National Team last year and started all six games at the 2025 Gold Cup."
Tim Howard urged New York City FC goalkeeper Matt Freese to start for the United States at the World Cup, beginning with the opening match against Paraguay. Freese debuted for the US Men’s National Team last year and started all six games at the 2025 Gold Cup, where the team lost 2-1 to Mexico in the final. Howard contrasted Freese with Matt Turner, noting Turner conceded five goals in his only international appearance this year during a 5-2 loss to Belgium. Howard praised Turner but said Freese’s maturity and composure make him the better choice. He said Freese has not yet had a defining international moment, so the World Cup is the opportunity to produce one, potentially breaking Howard’s 2014 World Cup saves record.
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