USMNT roundup: Matt Freese tested by Lionel Messi before camp opens in Atlanta

U. S. players from across Europe and Major League Soccer began arriving in Greater Atlanta on Sunday for the first training camp of the year and final soiree before Mauricio Pochettino announces his World Cup squad in late May.

Before they boarded flights, though, there was a weekend full of club activity featuring a few goals, a few assists, a goalkeeping injury, a red card and an MLS showdown with Lionel Messi. Draft your Yahoo Fantasy Baseball team for the 2026 MLB Season Instead of the usual breakdown by league of all 40-some contenders in the player pool, this week’s roundup will go through the 27-man camp roster by position: Goalkeepers Matt Freese , Pochettino’s undisputed starter, was plenty busy for New York City FC on Sunday at Yankee Stadium against Messi and Inter Miami. He saw two Messi bids strike the woodwork and was left helpless on Messi’s deflected free kick that zipped behind him.

Freese also made a sterling first-half save on the Argentine wizard but conceded the go-ahead goal on a 74th-minute header across the 6-yard box for a 3-2 defeat — NYC’s first after three wins and a draw. ¡Gran estirada de Matt Freese evita el gol de Leo Messi! pic.

twitter. com/AleMcG5L5l — MLS Español (@MLSes) March 22, 2026 Miami finished with 22 shots, including eight on frame, and seven corner kicks. Matt Turner , the 2022 World Cup starter and Freese’s probable back-up, also conceded three goals, including a stunner by St.