Honestly, if you haven’t been paying attention to the right side of the pitch at Inter&Co Stadium lately, you’ve missed one of the most absurd developmental jumps in Major League Soccer history. We’re talking about Alex Freeman, the kid from Baltimore who basically forced his way into the USMNT conversation by turning the right-back position into a personal highlight reel.
It wasn't that long ago that Freeman was just another name on the Orlando City B roster. He spent nearly three years grinding in MLS NEXT Pro, a league that many casual fans still don't quite track. But 2025 changed everything. He didn't just "step up"; he exploded.
The Breakout That Nobody—And I Mean Nobody—Saw Coming
Usually, homegrown defenders take years to adjust to the physicality of the senior game. Alex Freeman didn't get that memo. After signing his first-team contract back in February 2022 as the club's 12th homegrown player, he mostly simmered on the back burner. Then came the 2025 season.
He ended the year as the MLS Young Player of the Year.
That’s not a "participation trophy" award. He beat out guys like Obed Vargas and Diego Luna—players who have been household names in US soccer circles for a minute. Freeman’s stat line for a defender was, frankly, kind of ridiculous.
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- Goals: 6 (Regular Season)
- Assists: 3 (Regular Season)
- Key Passes: 42 (4th most among all MLS defenders)
- Aerial Duels Won: 110 (Led all Orlando City players)
Think about that for a second. He led the team in aerial duels while being one of their most dangerous attacking threats. At 6'2", he has this rare combination of a center-back’s frame and a winger’s lungs. He’s the type of modern fullback that managers lose sleep over.
Why Alex Freeman Orlando City is a Name You’ll Hear in Europe
You don't win MLS Best XI honors at 21 years old without catching the eye of scouts across the pond. Freeman is the first Orlando City player ever to be named to the Best XI. That is a massive deal for a club that has had some serious talent pass through its doors.
The most impressive part? His resilience.
Before he joined Orlando's academy in 2020, he actually tried out for Inter Miami. They passed on him. Imagine being the Miami scout who let a future MLS Young Player of the Year walk away to your biggest rival. That rejection sent him to Weston FC, and eventually to Orlando, where he had to live away from his family starting at age 16. He’s gone on record saying that being alone on his 16th birthday was rough, but it was "something that needed to happen."
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That mental toughness shows up in his game. When Orlando needs a late overlapping run or a desperate clearance, Freeman is usually the one providing it.
From Orlando City B to the USMNT
The jump from the "B" team to the senior national team usually takes a few pit stops. Freeman skipped the line. After a dominant September in 2024 where he was named MLS NEXT Pro Player of the Month, Oscar Pareja finally gave him the keys to the right side in 2025.
By June, he was starting for the United States against Turkey.
He didn't just sit on the bench during the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup either. He started all six matches. He became the youngest player to make six consecutive starts for the US in that tournament.
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What Makes His Playing Style Different?
Most fullbacks are either "defensive stoppers" or "wing-backs who can't defend." Freeman is weird because he’s both.
He has this incredible vision—sorta like a midfielder—that allows him to pick out passes most defenders wouldn't even attempt. But he still has the recovery speed to track back when a counter-attack breaks. His first MLS goal against Toronto FC on March 1, 2025, was a perfect example: a late run into the box that showed the instincts of a striker.
The Contract Situation and 2026 Outlook
If you're wondering how long Orlando can keep him, the clock is ticking. The club exercised his 2026 option in November 2025, so he's locked in for the upcoming season. However, with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon and Group D matchups against Paraguay and Australia looming, Freeman's stock is only going up.
Transfer rumors are already swirling. Some of the bigger clubs in the Eredivisie and even the Championship have been linked to him. Orlando fans are basically enjoying him while they can, knowing he’s likely the next big export for the club.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're following Alex Freeman’s trajectory, here is what you need to keep an eye on in the coming months:
- USMNT Group Stage Minutes: Watch how Gregg Berhalter (or whoever is at the helm) utilizes him in the lead-up to the World Cup. If he starts the "Continental Clasico" against Senegal in May, he's a lock for the World Cup roster.
- The "Post-Award" Sophomore Slump: Now that he’s the reigning Young Player of the Year, teams will scout him differently. He won't have the element of surprise anymore. Watch how he adapts when wingers start double-teaming his side.
- Transfer Windows: Keep a close eye on the July transfer window. If a European club offers a fee in the $8-10 million range, Orlando might find it hard to say no, especially if they have guys like Zakaria Taifi waiting in the wings.
Alex Freeman isn't just a "prospect" anymore. He's a centerpiece. Whether he's shutting down attackers in the Florida heat or representing the stars and stripes on the world stage, he’s proven that the Orlando City academy system is finally producing world-class talent.