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USA Goalkeeper Matt Freese Doesn’t Mind Being Booed Because He Himself Has Said Worse at Eagles Games
By Matt Schultz
Published:
In Matt Freese’s first game back for New York City FC after playing for the U.S. men’s national team in the World Cup, Columbus fans let the goalkeeper know that they haven’t forgiven him for his rough tournament – with his own goal against Belgium surely in the front of their minds:
Every time Freese touched the ball against Columbus, fans rained down boos to let him know they’re holding firm on their grudge. But little did the Columbus fans know, Freese doesn’t mind booing. He’s from Philly. He gets it. He’s said much worse at Birds games:
“Yeah, I mean, it happened last year against Charlotte as well. Every time I touched the ball I got booed… Yeah, I don’t mind getting booed. Respectfully, I’m from Philadelphia. Anything they’re saying to me on the field, I can guarantee you I’ve said worse at Eagles games.”
This is what’s up. This is good stuff. Truthfully, I didn’t really have an opinion on Matt Freese before I saw this clip. I remember the Belgium loss, I remember his own-goal mistake, I remember being pretty mad about it in the moment… but like two or three hours after the U.S. lost and got bounced from the tournament, I pretty much moved on. I guess I’m not a big enough soccer fan to have formed a long-lasting opinion on the guy. My relationship to soccer and the World Cup was more like waking up from a strange dream…
But now everything is different. After seeing this clip, I do have an opinion on Matt Freese: this is a good guy. I am proud to say he is my USMNT goalkeeper. Sure, he may have made some little-kid-ass blunders in the World Cup. But he’s also from Philly. He’s been to Eagles games. He’s done his fair share of booing and shit-talking. And when it was his turn to get booed, when the bell finally tolled for him, what did he do? He didn’t whine. He didn’t bitch. He handled it like a damn pro. He took it on the chin. He did his job. And he ended up winning the game in Columbus and notching three saves. You simply gotta respect it.
I only hope that if I ever get booed, I handle it with as much grace and dignity as Freese. Hats off. Well done. Please no one ever boo me. Would not handle it well.
Matt Schultz is a comedy and sports writer from Philadelphia. He’s written extensively for ClickHole, The Onion, and Conan O’Brien’s Team Coco. His work has been featured in Vulture, Deadspin, The A.V. Club, Paste Magazine, and other publications. Much of his sports journalism can be found on college basketball websites that don’t exist anymore (PhilaHoops Heads rise up…) email: M.Schultz@sportradar.com