Matt Freese has quickly become one of the most talked-about goalkeepers in Major League Soccer.
From turning down Manchester United to starring for New York City FC and the U.S. Men’s National Team, his story — and his growing bank account — is worth a closer look.
Matt Freese’s Biography
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Matthew Freese |
| Date of Birth | September 2, 1998 |
| Age | 27 |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6’3″ (191 cm) |
| Position | Goalkeeper |
| Current Club | New York City FC (MLS) |
| Turned Professional | 2019 |
| Net Worth | ~$3 million (estimated) |
| Guaranteed Compensation | $491,677 |
| New Contract | Through 2030 (third-highest paid MLS goalkeeper) |
| Partner | Hunter Bailey (married July 2023) |
| Social – LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/matthew-freese |
Early Life & Career
Matt Freese grew up in Wayne, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia. From a young age, he was deeply involved in soccer, eventually joining the Philadelphia Union’s youth academy — one of the most respected development pathways in American soccer.
Freese received an apprentice contract offer from Manchester United. Rather than heading to England, he made the unusual decision to enroll at Harvard University, where he studied economics.
It was a family-driven choice — his relatives had attended Harvard, and education was a clear priority at home.
Freese played soccer at Harvard from 2017 to 2018 while also getting field time with Bethlehem Steel, Philadelphia Union’s reserve side in the USL.
That dual-track approach — elite academic training alongside professional soccer development — shaped the sharp, analytical thinker he is known as today.
By 2019, he returned to sign a homegrown contract with the Philadelphia Union, officially turning professional with the club that raised him.
Professional Career
Freese made his MLS debut with the Philadelphia Union in 2019, making five appearances in his first season.
He remained with the Union through 2022, steadily developing as a backup option before earning more regular minutes.
His performances in MLS NEXT Pro with Philadelphia Union II — 31 appearances and six clean sheets in 2022 — helped him build the consistency needed to compete at the top level.
In January 2023, New York City FC acquired Freese in a trade that sent $350,000 in Guaranteed Allocation Money to Philadelphia, with up to $400,000 more possible in add-ons, plus a percentage of a future transfer fee.
At NYCFC, Freese became the undisputed starting goalkeeper, earning the club’s MVP award for the 2024 season after finishing third in MLS in saves and fourth in save percentage.
According to NYCFC’s official announcement, he made 83 appearances for the club through September 2025, recording 276 saves and 20 clean sheets across all competitions.
His strong club form earned him a call-up to the U.S. Men’s National Team, where he starred at the 2025 Gold Cup, showcasing the penalty-stopping skills he had been quietly developing for years.
His profile on ESPN’s career stats page shows a player who has steadily improved each season since joining NYCFC.
In September 2025, Goal.com reported that Freese signed a five-year extension with NYCFC through 2030, cementing his future at the club and positioning him as a key figure for the U.S. ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on home soil.
Wife
Matt Freese married Hunter Bailey on July 28, 2023, in Charleston, South Carolina.
The couple keeps a relatively low profile, and Freese himself has described his personality off the pitch as a “big goof” around family and friends.
His mother Marcia, sister Lyssa, and brothers Jack and Timmy remain a close support network throughout his career.
Freese is known to be deeply family-oriented, and his decision to attend Harvard over Manchester United reflects how strongly his family values have guided his life choices.
Matt Freese’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Matt Freese’s has an estimated net worth of approximately $3 million.
He built this wealth through professional soccer contracts with the Philadelphia Union and New York City FC, combined with his growing profile as a USMNT starter and his business interests in sports entities.
Contract
Freese signed a contract extension with New York City FC in September 2025 that runs through the 2030 season.
Financial terms were not officially disclosed by the club, but Hudson River Blue reported that the deal makes him the third-highest-paid goalkeeper in MLS.
His previous deal with NYCFC ran through 2026 with an option for 2027. The new extension, which covers five seasons through 2030, represents a significant long-term commitment from the club.
Salary
According to MLS Players Association salary data cited by Hudson River Blue, Freese earned $491,677 in guaranteed compensation in 2025 — an 82% jump from his $270,000 guaranteed pay in 2024. His base salary in 2025 stood at $400,000.
With his new contract reportedly placing him third among MLS goalkeepers, and given that second-place Andre Blake earned $1.18 million and the top two — Roman Bürki ($1.7M) and Pedro Gallese ($1.25M) — earned even more, Freese’s new annual salary is estimated to be well over $1 million per year.
Career Earnings By Year
| Season | Club | Base Salary | Guaranteed Comp |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Philadelphia Union | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| 2020 | Philadelphia Union | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| 2021 | Philadelphia Union | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| 2022 | Philadelphia Union | $118,250 | $137,000 |
| 2023 | New York City FC | $161,250 | $161,250 |
| 2024 | New York City FC | ~$250,000 | $270,000 |
| 2025 | New York City FC | $400,000 | $491,677 |
| 2026–2030 | New York City FC | Est. $1M+/year | Est. $1M+/year |
Career Statistics
| Season | Club | Competition | Apps | Clean Sheets | Saves |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Philadelphia Union | MLS | 5 | 2 | — |
| 2020 | Philadelphia Union | MLS | 1 | 1 | — |
| 2021 | Philadelphia Union | MLS | 7 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | Philadelphia Union | MLS | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | New York City FC | MLS | 10 | 5 | 30 |
| 2024 | New York City FC | MLS | 38 | 6 | 120 |
| 2024 | New York City FC | MLS Playoffs | — | 1 | 15 |
| 2025 | New York City FC | MLS | 17+ | 2+ | 78+ |
FAQs
What is Matt Freese’s net worth?
Matt Freese has an estimated net worth of around $3 million. He earned this through his MLS contracts with Philadelphia Union and NYCFC, plus his growing sports business advisory roles.
How much does Matt Freese earn at New York City FC?
Freese earned $491,677 in guaranteed compensation during the 2025 MLS season. His new contract extension through 2030 reportedly makes him the third-highest-paid goalkeeper in MLS, with an estimated annual salary exceeding $1 million.
Did Matt Freese really turn down Manchester United?
Freese received an apprentice contract offer from Manchester United but declined it to study economics at Harvard University. He has described it as a family decision he doesn’t regret.
Is Matt Freese married?
Yes. Matt Freese married Hunter Bailey on July 28, 2023, in Charleston, South Carolina. The couple keeps a low public profile.
What contract did Matt Freese sign with NYCFC?
New York City FC signed Freese to a contract extension through the 2030 season, announced. The deal makes him the third-highest-paid goalkeeper in MLS, per reports from Hudson River Blue.
