Mark Cannizzaro Matt Freese is ‘going to be tested’ in World Cup Round of 16 — and USMNT needs the game of his life By Mark Cannizzaro Published July 4, 2026, 7:04 p.m. ET Matt Freese reacts after the USMNT's July 1 win in the World Cup Round of 32. FIFA via Getty Images SEATTLE — Shep Messing playfully likes to call himself “the second-best goalkeeper to come out of Harvard.’’
Messing, the former Cosmos goalkeeper in the ’70s days of Pelé, Giorgio Chinaglia and Franz Beckenbauer, is not unlike the rest of the countless tens of millions of Americans rooting on the U.S. national team in this World Cup.
He hopes the best keeper ever to come out of Harvard — U.S. starter Matt Freese — has the game of his life against Belgium in Monday’s Round of 16 match at Seattle Stadium.
“He hasn’t truly been tested yet in this World Cup,’’ Messing, now an MLS analyst for Apple TV, told The Post on Saturday. “I believe he’s going to be tested in this game.’’
