Alex Freeman is the breakout name in the USMNT defense, an attacking right-back who seized a starting spot at a home World Cup and marked his opener with an assist. A product of Orlando City who has since stepped up to La Liga with Villarreal, Freeman gives head coach Mauricio Pochettino pace and energy down the right flank.
From Orlando City to Villarreal
Freeman came through at Orlando City, where he made his name as a starting right-back and racked up regular minutes in MLS. That form earned him a move to Villarreal in Spain, a step up to one of La Liga’s established sides, where he is adapting to a new level. The table below covers his main club spells in our database.
| Club | Apps | Tackles won | Interceptions | Clearances | Aerial duels won |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando City | 51 | 27 | 27 | 88 | 59 |
| Villarreal | 18 | 8 | 4 | 16 | 6 |
What the numbers say
Freeman’s Orlando City record is the profile of a busy, two-way full-back. Across 51 appearances he won 178 duels and 59 aerial duels, with 88 clearances and 27 interceptions on top, the workload of a defender who is always involved. He is comfortable getting forward and back, and that engine is what makes him such a useful fit for an attacking system. His Villarreal numbers are lighter as he settles into a bigger stage, but the tools are obvious.
Alex Freeman and the USMNT
For the United States, Freeman’s emergence at right-back unlocked Pochettino’s setup. With Freeman tucked in to provide defensive cover, Sergino Dest was freed to push high as a right-sided attacker, while Freeman overlapped behind him. He operates just outside center-back Chris Richards, and his athleticism lets the U.S. commit numbers forward. See where he fits in our USMNT roster guide.
USA 4-1 Paraguay and what is next
Freeman was one of the standouts in the opener, starting at right-back and impressing going forward as the United States beat Paraguay 4-1 at SoFi Stadium. He provided an assist, won nine duels and made two interceptions across the full 90, a complete display from a young full-back. Read the full USA vs Paraguay player ratings. Next up is Australia in Seattle on June 19. Planning to go? See our World Cup 2026 tickets guide. For the bigger picture, see our World Cup 2026 hub and the latest World Cup 2026 winner odds, with more at U.S. Soccer. Must be 21+ and present in a state where betting is legal. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Alex Freeman is an American right-back who started for the USMNT at the World Cup 2026. He came through Orlando City in MLS before a move to Villarreal in Spain, and is one of the breakout names in the U.S. squad.
Freeman made his name at Orlando City in MLS, establishing himself as a starting right-back, before earning a move to Villarreal in Spain’s La Liga.
He is an attacking right-back, an athletic, overlapping defender who gets forward to support the attack and offers pace and energy down the flank.
Freeman started at right-back in the 4-1 win over Paraguay and was outstanding going forward, providing an assist, winning nine duels and making two interceptions.