Alex Freeman adds to family legacy of scoring in Seattle

Jayda Evans, The Seattle Times on Jun 19, 2026

Published in Soccer

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

SEATTLE — Given Seattle’s love of its two-time Super Bowl champion football team and long history with the Green Bay Packers, there might have been a squint when looking at the Freeman name on the back of a U.S. men’s national team jersey Friday.

Three decades ago, Alex Freeman’s father Antonio scored two touchdowns for the Packers during a September regular-season game against the Seahawks.

With his father’s history in Seattle buried with the demolished Kingdome, Alex rose for a score in a FIFA Men’s World Cup match against Australia. The header from inside the keeper’s box in the 43rd minute gave the USMNT a two-goal lead that held for a win to qualify the Stars and Stripes for the tournament’s Round of 32.

“It’s a full circle family moment,” Freeman said after the win. “It shows how he could be great, but I can be great in my own way as well. It shows how amazing it is to have a dad who’s successful and mentored me to be ready for moments like these.”

Minutes before scoring the header, Freeman was in a collision with Aussie midfielder Paul Okon-Engstler and the players were checked for concussions.

Once play resumed, USMNT defender Sergiño Dest earned the Americans a free kick near the end line. Teammate Antonee Robinson aimed his service to Dest at the top of the box.

Dest’s laser was deflected and the ball’s hang time was enough for Freeman to position himself to get a shot past Aussies keeper Patrick Beach. But the celebration was interrupted.

There was a long VAR check to make certain Freeman stayed onside. Once cleared, his teammates started running.

“Oh, lord,” Freeman said of having to dart to the other end of the field and welcome a different section of the stadium into the wild celebration on the grass.

“Freeman had to wait a little bit just for the VAR, but once we got the green light, everybody was so happy for him,” said USMNT striker Folarin Balogun, whose effort caused an own goal in the 11th minute. “He’s got a fantastic future. He’s a humble kid, very down to earth. As long as he continues to develop and he’s able to show he’s doing it on the biggest stage, he’s going to have a bright future.”

Freeman’s path to his debut World Cup goal started through MLS side Orlando City’s academy and first team. He made 34 starts in 42 appearances for the Lions and made headlines last winter when Orlando transferred him to Spain’s top-flight Villarreal CF.

The 21-year-old right back caught first-time USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino’s eye in January 2025. Friday was Freeman’s 19th international cap and second goal for the country.

Naturally, the defender didn’t want to overlook his team’s first clean sheet to start the World Cup. The USMNT qualified for the Round of 32 with the win.

The USMNT will close its group stage against Türkiye on Thursday at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif.

“It’s hard for me to take it all in,” Freeman said. “It’s good also to go through challenges at such a fast pace at such a young age. It’s going to make me an even better player to be able to adjust to different atmospheres and adjust to different circumstances. Now that I’m here, it’s how can I give 100% and do it for my country? How can I make everyone proud?”

____