The State of the USMNT Goalkeeper Position Heading into September Matches
Matt Freese, Roman Celentano and Jonathan Klinsmann were called into camp
U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Mauricio Pochettino called three goalkeepers into camp ahead of the September international window: Matt Freese, Roman Celentano and Jonathan Klinsmann.
Freese is a returnee from the USMNT’s Concacaf Gold Cup Final run. The New York City FC keeper started every Gold Cup match and every match but one overall this past summer. He entered the June camp uncapped but made a lasting impression after his heroics in the penalty shootout during the tournament quarterfinal.
Celentano and Klinsmann have been called into senior team camp before but have yet to earn their first caps.
Pochettino made clear in his media availability after Tuesday’s roster announcement that no spots are locked in as they evaluate players leading into next summer’s FIFA World Cup — the goalkeeper position is no exception.
“I think we work really hard to try to be fair with everyone,” Pochettino said, “and then give [them] the possibility to show us and perform — the possibility to fight for a place.”
This roster marks the seventh and eighth goalkeepers called up under Pochettino since he took over the coaching reins last fall. Matt Turner, Zack Steffen and Patrick Schulte are the only goalkeepers, aside from Freese, to earn caps under the USMNT head coach.
Turner, who started all games for the U.S. in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, recently transferred from the EPL to the New England Revolution in MLS. He has started every game since returning to his hometown team, a welcome opportunity after he made four appearances with Crystal Palace last season. Steffen has started 21 matches in all competitions for Colorado Rapids, while Schulte has been in goal for Columbus Crew 23 times this season.
When asked about giving some fresh faces a nod this camp over Turner, Steffen and Schulte, Pochettino underscored the importance of looking closely at different options in the talent pool. All three were on the initial June friendlies roster, but Steffen and Schulte were left off the Gold Cup roster weeks later because of injury. Turner started one friendly against Switzerland leading up to the confederation championship.
“We want to see other players that we think deserve to be [here], and have the possibility to show themself,” Pochettino said.
Freese, Celentano and Klinsmann now have that chance in matches against Korea Republic and Japan.
Roman Celentano got his first call-up in January 2023 and earned his last summons in the January 2024 Futures Camp, and Klinsmann last earned a National Team opportunity in 2018. Celentano is currently tied for second in MLS in clean sheets, while Freese follows behind tied for fourth with seven. Klinsmann has started in goal for Cesena early this season. Last season, he recorded 29 appearances and eight clean sheets for the Serie B squad in all competitions.
Who will start in goal for the USMNT come next summer is a question many have on their mind, and a question Pochettino and his staff will continue to consider in all the friendlies leading into the 2026 World Cup.
“I think all these strategies that we have is to help them to prepare... and also to put us in a very difficult situation to select the player for the final roster,” Pochettino said.
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