USMNT leverages new leaders for final matches of 2025

The U.S. Men's National Team is back in action.

It's closing out 2025 with two key friendlies against Paraguay (on Saturday) and Uruguay (on Nov. 18) Both nations have qualified for the 2026 World Cup.

USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino is in a tough spot for these matches: injuries sidelined several of his key players, from defender Antonee Robinson to attacker Christian Pulisic. He'll have to rely on some fresher faces for leadership in this final camp of the 2025 season.

But who is most likely to step up for Pochettino and the USMNT?

Matt Freese, Goalkeeper

What's his USMNT story? Freese has only been with the USMNT since the middle of 2025; with just 11 caps to his name, he's one of the least-experienced players on the roster. But it's precisely that freshness that makes him such a convincing leader for this team.

Few USMNT players in history have flipped from newcomer to veteran faster than Freese did this year. He's a shining example of how a brand-new national team player can establish himself as a regular in an extraordinarily short amount of time. With the vast majority of this USMNT roster sitting on 20 caps or less, Freese is a leader that hasn't lost his relatability.

What sets him apart? Pochettino's team famously doesn't communicate with players when they're not on USMNT duty, but Freese is the exception: he's in close contact with USMNT goalkeeping coach Toni Jimenez.

"We obviously stay in touch when we’re not in camp together," Freese said. "He [Jimenez] knows the right personality you need to bring to be that rock for your team, to be that stability, and to handle tough moments, tough crowds, and to handle good moments and stay humble and work for the next save."