USMNT Goalkeeper Has a Role to Play in God’s Kingdom

Published: June 10, 2026

By Mallory Mattingly

United States men’s goalkeeper Matt Freese understands that he has a role to play in God’s kingdom.

“You know, vocally I say it out loud, I always remind myself that God’s got me and God’s looking over me and watching over me,” the goalkeeper said on the Sports Spectrum “What’s Up” podcast.

“And then the second, and this is a very big way that I think faith has motivated me, as well as, you know, kind of guided my career and my soccer journey, is that I think God’s given me so many opportunities in general, but let’s just say, focus on soccer, God’s giving me so many opportunities within this game and within my career,” Freese continued.

For more inspiring sports stories, check out Sports Spectrum.

“I still have a role to play in that, you know, I still have to do my part, take that opportunity and do something with it,” he explained. “I can’t just sit there and not work hard or not use the lessons that God enabled my parents to teach me, which is hard work and teamwork and selflessness, and so you know, I just constantly remind myself that there is also a role that I have to play, an active role that I have to play through gratitude for these opportunities.”

Freese isn’t the only player on the USMNT who is outspoken about his faith. Defender Mark McKenzie also shared about his trust in God.

“He is not only my savior, not only my Jehovah Jireh, my Jehovah Rapha, my Jehovah Nissi. He is my everything. He is the one who is holy of holiest. He is the one who reigns on high. He’s the one I depend on for everything,” McKenzie told Sports Spectrum.

“I think that’s the only way I can describe Him, which sounds cliche, but it is the truth,” he continued, “He is the one who knows all, knew all, yet still gives His all for me and requires so little. Like the salvation that I have is is nothing that I’ve earned. It’s a gift, there’s nothing else to it, you know? Like every day that goes by is a day where I have to look up and say, ‘Thank you, Lord, for seeing me through this.'”

The United States Men’s National Team will begin their World Cup journey in just two days where they will face Paraguay in Group D qualifying. The game will stream on FOX and FS1 Friday at 8 p.m. CDT.

Questions or comments? Please write to us here.

Add Movieguide® as preferred on Google