GOAL reviews the major takeaways from Americans playing in MLS, including Freese's goalkeeping heroics for NYCFC
To say the march to the MLS playoffs is heating up is a understatement. With just under a month of the regular season remaining, there are eight clubs with a realistic chance of claiming the Supporters' Shield. And there have already been seven teams eliminated from the playoffs – five from the Eastern Conference.
The USMNT national pool has several players who are becoming significant factors. Matt Freese helped NYCFC ice their trip to the postseason (see what we did there) with a win over the previously surging Charlotte FC. Orlando City SC's Duncan McGuire has spent the majority of his season on the mend, but got his shooting boots back for an important three points.
And Jack McGlynn continues to have a largely under-the-radar dominant season for the Houston Dynamo – despite the club's current struggles.
GOAL looks at the major takeaways from USMNT players in MLS.
ImagnFreese-ing out Charlotte's attack
Has any USMNT star had their stock rise as much as Freese in 2025?
The NYCFC goalkeeper was an afterthought in the U.S.'s January camp, failing to get minutes behind the Columbus Crew's Patrick Schulte and the Colorado Rapids' Zack Steffen. Since then, it appears as if everything is going right for the former Harvard standout.
At the Gold Cup, he overtook longtime starter Matt Turner for the No. 1 spot and had several memorable performances. He resumed as the USMNT's starter for the September friendlies and could hold that role for the upcoming October matches. Last week, he landed a new contract with NYCFC, with the 27-year-old ensuring his future at the club for the next five years. Barring the unforeseen, he will be there for the opening of Etihad Park.
Freese brought all of that momentum to a critical match against Charlotte FC Saturday. The Crown came into the match having tied the MLS record for consecutive wins, having won nine straight. Led by an in-form Idan Toklomati and Wilfried Zaha, the team was punishing MLS defenses. But not against NYCFC and their star goalkeeper.
Freese led a stout defense that only allowed just six shots at Yankee Stadium – and the goalkeeper delivered two key saves for the home side. With the upset, NYCFC booked their trip to the postseason.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportMcGlynn comes through, again
Where would the Houston Dynamo be without McGlynn?
Despite issues on both sides of the pitch, the Orange Crush remain in the thick of the playoff hunt, and that's largely due to their American talisman. McGlynn delivered once again for Ben Olsen's side, launching a pinpoint corner to the leaping head of Ezequiel Ponce to score the game's only goal against Portland, the No. 7 team in the Western Conference.
To be fair, McGlynn likely deserved more. He was impressive, delivering key passes, hitting three shots on target, and connecting on 87.5 percent of his passes. His assist brings his season tally to 14 goal contributions, with eight assists and six goals. To put that into perspective, Houston has 40 goals scored this season, meaning that McGlynn has directly contributed to 35 percent. No, it's not Messi, but its still very impressive.
Following the win, the Dynamo are just one point back from Texas rival FC Dallas for the final Western Conference spot, though Dallas have a game in hand. Houston are also just three back from the Colorado Rapids, and both teams have three games left in the season.
ImagnTime to worry in Commerce City?
The Rapids have a U.S. international at goalkeeper in Steffen, two U.S. internationals in their backline in Sammy Vines and Reggie Cannon, a local homegrown star in Cole Bassett, a blockbuster signing in rising U.S. midfielder Paxten Aaronson, and arguably a top-five striker in Rafa Navarro.
Yet, this team hasn't worked effectively as a sum of its talented parts.
Colorado aren't expected to be on the same level as bigger spenders such as Inter Miami, LAFC, or Charlotte, but this team shouldn't be worrying about securing a trip to the postseason with just three matches left. This is the second-straight campaign in which Chris Armas' side is waning as opposed to storming at the end.
Against a FC Dallas team who were below the Rapids in the standings, the Burgundy Boys capitulated after equalizing in the 21st minute off a goal from Calvin Harris, losing 3-1 at Toyota Stadium. While Colorado remain two points ahead of Dallas in eighth, the Texas team has a game in hand and Houston are lurking.
After generating a lot of buzz for the signing of Aaronson, it appears as if Armas hasn't yet found an effective fit for his No. 10, as the former Frankfurt man struggled to have much of a playmaking impact Saturday. Since Aaronson joined the Rapids, outside of the win against Houston, the team has lost to three teams below them in the standings – the LA Galaxy, Sporting KC and FC Dallas.
Time is running out for Colorado to lock in a playoff spot. They face an uphill battle with Minnesota, Real Salt Lake, and LAFC in their final three matches. Despite the positive vibes Armas has brought, questions will be asked if his team fails to reach the postseason.
McGuire is back
It's been a rough road for Duncan McGuire since his failed move to Blackburn almost two years ago. While he signed a new contract with the club following the botched transfer, he's been in and out of the lineup for Oscar Pareja since. The striker was expected to get more playing time this season following some outbound transfers, but he had a left shoulder injury that sidelined him for almost four months.
After returning and working his way back into more minutes, McGuirre sent a timely reminder of his talent in a much-needed moment for his club. With Orlando trading blows with Nashville SC, the forward scored an impressive tap-in in front of the goal, courtesy of a well-made assist from Tyrese Spicer, to secure three points for the home side.
Sure, Spicer did the heavy lifting on the play, but McGuirre – working off months of rust – could have fluffed his lines. But he didn't, and Orlando are one step closer to sealing their fifth consecutive trip to the postseason as a result.
Another USMNT player, Alex Freeman, also featured 90 minutes in the win, connecting on one cross.