In an impressive 2025, Alex Freeman emerged as a key player for Orlando City SC, culminating in his recognition as the MLS Young Player of the Year. This accolade widely supports his aspirations for a World Cup spot.

Freeman, the son of Antonio Freeman, a celebrated former wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers, has made a profound impact on the soccer field, rather than on the football gridiron. He found success this season with six goals and three assists, defining his role as a modern fullback. Freeman expressed, “I grew up playing a lot of sports…but when it was time to choose, the obvious choice was soccer because that’s what I feel like I was best at.”

Though initially raised in Baltimore, Freeman developed his skills playing for Weston FC. He relished the chance to join the Orlando City academy at 16, despite having to leave home amid the COVID pandemic, as he was determined to pursue his soccer dream. Currently, at 21, he has achieved 11 caps with the United States men’s national team.

Contributing his remarkable progress, Freeman appreciates the nuances of training under different coaching styles, such as Mauricio Pochettino’s, which contrasts with that of Oscar Pareja. In the wake of his debut against Turkiye, he acknowledged the challenge of facing established players, building confidence as he learned from each encounter. As Freeman continues to rise in prominence, he now prepares for future competitions and seeks to follow in the footsteps of previous award winners such as Thiago Almada and Diego Luna, while being the first defender to win since 2012.