The U.S. men’s national team’s 2025 was filled with plenty of highs and also a few lows as well.
Mauricio Pochettino gave 66 players the opportunity to feature for the USMNT this year, watching as many took their chances with both hands. From reaching the CONCACAF Gold Cup Final to ending the year on a five-match unbeaten run, there is plenty to be excited about for 2026.
Diego Luna, Alex Freeman, and Max Arfsten were among the players who shined in their USMNT and club opportunities this year, ending it on major high notes.
Here are five USMNT players that SBI are thankful for in 2025:
Max Arfsten
Antonee Robinson’s lengthy absence from the USMNT caused plenty of worry among fans and coaches alike. Enter Max Arfsten.
Arfsten boosted his stock with the USMNT in 2025, a year which saw him earn his debut and never look back. The 24-year-old fullback/wingback logged 1,086 minutes in 16 international appearances this year, scoring one goal and a team-high five assists.
Although he had some rough moments at times, Arfsten ended the year very comfortably, with strong showings against Ecuador, Japan, and Paraguay.
Robinson remains on the sidelines at Fulham, which adds more worry heading into the new year. However, Arfsten’s productive 2025 should have Mauricio Pochettino, his staff, and the USMNT teammates confident of his abilities going forward.
Diego Luna
The USMNT’s top appearance leader in 2025 was rising attacker Diego Luna.
Luna made 17 appearances for the program this year, scoring four goals and contributing four assists (team-high eight goal contributions). The Real Salt Lake midfielder/winger was one of the top performers at the Gold Cup, finishing the tournament with three goals and two assists.
He ended the year on a positive note with a goalscoring performance against Uruguay, ending a six-match streak without a goal or assist.
Luna will surely be in the mix for a midfield sport at the World Cup, especially if he is able to start 2026 off on a flying note for RSL.
Alex Freeman
Another MLS product that has continued his rise over the past year was right back Alex Freeman.
Freeman logged 976 minutes in 13 appearances for the USMNT, scoring twice in his 2025 finale against Uruguay. The Orlando City homegrown showed positive moments, starting all six matches at the Gold Cup.
Freeman came up through Orlando City’s youth ranks and quickly has become one of the top fullbacks in MLS. At 21-years-old, the future remains very bright for Freeman, who will be competing with Sergino Dest and Joe Scally for minutes at the March camp.
Matt Freese
The USMNT looks to have its new No. 1 goalkeeper.
Matt Freese debuted for the program in June and hasn’t relinquished the starting role since. Freese, a former Philadelphia Union homegrown, made 13 appearances for the USMNT, registering three clean sheets.
The 27-year-old came up with several big saves during the second half of the year, including a trio of penalty stops against Costa Rica in the Gold Cup quarterfinals.
Freese could still add an MLS Cup title to his growing resume by year’s end, a bonus for what has been a stellar year for him.
Sebastian Berhalter
24-year-old Sebastian Berhalter has quickly become the USMNT’s set-piece artist.
Berhalter scored one goal and added three assists in nine USMNT caps this year, taking another key step forward in his development. The son of former USMNT player and head coach Gregg, Sebastian logged 704 minutes on the international level, saving his best performance for last against Uruguay earlier this month.
His free kick and corner kick abilities have been a treat to watch, while his strong work rate in midfield have also made him an option for Pochettino to consider in 2026.
Like Freese, Berhalter could also end the year as an MLS Cup winner, which would be a deserved ending after a stellar year for club and county.
Who were you thankful for in 2025? Which players do you think locked down their spots for the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
Share your thoughts below and we hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Thankful for the SBI team and for Ives and all work he does for Golazo. Incredibly thankful for all community here, we don’t have to always agree, but we do share a passion (illness) for the beautiful game. Thanks to everyone paid and unsolicited that makes SBI the family of misfits we truly are.
Ives, Thankful to you & your SBI Team for your ongoing broad and wonderful coverage. Where’s the waving turkey? Hope the SBI Mafia has a great and safe Thanksgiving holiday. Let’s dream of the greatest Thanksgiving ever next year when we celebrate WC victory! cheers.