You’ve probably seen the name floating around MLS circles lately, or maybe you caught a glimpse of that 6-foot-2 frame marauding down the right flank for the USMNT. Honestly, the rise of Andrew Freeman—often referred to in official sheets as Alexander "Alex" Freeman—is one of those "patience pays off" stories that makes sports great. Most people think he just appeared out of nowhere in 2025.
That isn't true. Not even close.
Basically, he was grinding in the shadows of the Orlando City B system for years before the rest of the world caught on. If you're looking for the next big American export to Europe, you're looking at him. He’s got that rare blend of physical dominance and a technical touch that usually doesn't belong to a guy that size.
The Long Road to the Orlando City First Team
Most "wonderkids" get fast-tracked. Freeman didn't. He signed his homegrown contract back in February 2022, becoming the 12th homegrown player in Orlando’s history. But instead of immediate stardom, he spent three seasons in the trenches of MLS Next Pro.
Think about that.
Seventy appearances for Orlando City B. That’s a lot of bus rides and developmental minutes. It’s where he refined his game, transitioning from a guy who was just "big and fast" to a tactical weapon at right-back and winger. In 2024, everything clicked. He led the reserve team in both assists and total goal contributions. You don't see defenders doing that often. He was voted the MLS Next Pro Player of the Month in September 2024, basically forcing the first-team coaching staff to give him a look.
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Andrew Freeman: What Most People Get Wrong
There’s this weird misconception that he’s just a defensive stopper. Kinda insulting, really. If you watch the tape from his 2025 breakout season, he’s essentially an auxiliary playmaker. He ended that year with six goals and six assists.
He isn't just "covering" the wing; he's dominating it.
The 2025 season was a fever dream for him. He was named the MLS Young Player of the Year, beating out some massive names like Obed Vargas and Diego Luna. He also became the first player in Orlando City history to make the MLS Best XI. Oh, and he was the youngest player ever picked for the MLS All-Star Game. He even did a skills challenge with IShowSpeed. It was a wild year.
Breaking into the USMNT
The national team call-up felt inevitable. When he suited up for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup, he didn't just sit on the bench. He became the youngest player to ever make six consecutive appearances for the U.S. in that tournament.
It’s easy to forget he’s still so young. Born in 2004 in Baltimore, he’s just entering what should be his physical prime. His background is interesting too—he actually tried out for Inter Miami’s academy first. They passed on him. Imagine being the scout who let a future MLS Best XI defender walk away to a rival. That's gotta sting.
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The Physicality and the Stats
Let’s talk numbers for a second. Freeman stands 6'2" and weighs around 188 lbs. He’s built like a linebacker but moves like a track star.
In his breakout 2025 campaign:
- 32 appearances for the senior squad.
- 12 total goal contributions (6G/6A).
- Second place in the "22 Under 22" rankings (he lost by a literal handful of points to Vargas).
He’s currently under contract through the 2026 season because Orlando was smart enough to exercise his option immediately. Honestly, it’s hard to imagine him staying in Florida much longer if a Bundesliga or Eredivisie club comes knocking with a fat check.
Why He’s Different from Other Prospects
A lot of young American players have "the engine," but Freeman has the "IQ." He knows when to tuck inside to help the center-backs and when to overlap to create a 2-on-1 situation in the final third.
He’s also incredibly durable.
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After missing a chunk of time during his sophomore year at Virginia Wesleyan (for the folks tracking the other Andrew Freemans in the soccer database), the professional Freeman has stayed remarkably healthy. That availability is a skill in itself. It allowed him to rack up those 70 appearances for the reserve side, which built the fitness base he needed to survive the grueling MLS summer schedule.
Real-World Impact
If you’re a scout or just a fan trying to figure out his ceiling, look at his performance against the Liga MX All-Stars. He came on as a sub and immediately changed the tempo. He’s a "verticality" player. When he gets the ball, the first thought is always "forward."
Next Steps for the Future
If you want to keep a close eye on his trajectory, you should start watching his defensive positioning against elite 1-on-1 wingers. That’s the final frontier for him. He’s already got the offensive output of a seasoned vet. If he tightens up his recovery runs and becomes a true lockdown defender, we’re talking about a European-caliber starter.
Keep an eye on the 2026 transfer windows. Orlando City will want to keep him for their own silverware aspirations, but the pressure from overseas is going to be immense. Check out the latest match replays on MLS Season Pass to see how he handles high-press systems—that's usually where you can see his growth in real-time.