Team USA’s Matt Freese Speaks Out After Costly World Cup Mistake

Matt Freese is opening up about Team USA’s heartbreaking loss to Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the mistake he made that gave Belgium a leg up.

Freese’s costly error came in the 57th minute of the game in Seattle, Washington, on Monday, July 6. With the U.S. trailing 2-1 and fighting to find an equalizer, Belgium sent a long ball into the attack, prompting the 27-year-old to rush out of his box to clear it. But under pressure from Belgium’s Charles De Ketelaere, the goalkeeper struggled to control the ball, appearing to lose his footing as he attempted the clearance.

The miscue allowed De Ketelaere to win possession before the ball fell to Hans Vanaken, who shot into an open net with Freese out of position. The goal extended Belgium’s lead to 3-1 and all but destroyed Team USA’s hopes of a comeback.

Speaking to reporters after the match, Freese called the mistake an “error in judgment.”

“Obviously disappointed for my involvement and error in judgment on the third goal,” the USMNT player told reporters after the game, per Us Weekly. “It’s part of the position. I know the guys in front of me did everything they could today to get the win. So proud of them and wish that moment was different and wish the result was different.”

“I felt [De Ketelaere] so close I thought he was gonna kick my leg, and so I tried to get out of it,” Freese went on to explain that costly third goal. “This hurts. This moment stings more than probably any other moment in my life.”

The game ended with Belgium winning 4-1, knocking the U.S. team out of the tournament.

While Freese labeled it a “painful” step for the team, which hasn’t made it to the quarterfinals of a World Cup since 2002, where they were eliminated after losing to Germany, it’s still a step forward for the group, which boasts one of the most talented rosters U.S. men’s soccer has seen in some time.

“I know this is a step along a longer journey, and I know there’s big things to come from this federation and this group,” he added. “This is one step — it’s a painful step, but it is a step regardless.”

Team USA head coach Mauricio Pochettino also weighed in on the moment, per the outlet, blaming the team’s loss on far more than Freese’s mistake in goal.

“It was a very bad day,” Pochettino told reporters after the match. “It wasn’t our day, collectively or individually. In a tournament like the ​World Cup, when that happens in a knockout stage, you are out and you need ​to go home.”