Matt Freese is finally announced as NYCFC's MVP | OneFootball

At the end of the year, New York City FC often names their Most Valuable Player, or MVP, of the season. Past winners include Valentín Castellanos, Maxi Moralez, and Anton Tinnerholm. These players are vital to the team and perform superbly well to be named MVP.

Often, NYCFC will announce the team MVP after the season. However, the season ended over a month ago after the loss in the MLS Cup Playoffs Conference Semifinals. Everyone wondered when the Pigeons would announce the MVP and whether they would do so, for they did not announce one in 2022 or 2023.

Matt Freese is the NYCFC MVP

However, everyone got the answer on Friday. Per NYCFC's social media accounts, the team MVP for 2024 is Matt Freese. It is not shocking after the season the goalkeeper had.

Undeniably, Freese kept NYCFC in many games in 2024. There were times when the backline failed to do their job and he had to become a superhero. Moreover, he was one of the best keepers in Major League Soccer. The fact he was not nominated for Goalkeeper of the Year is still puzzling.

Freese was fourth in save percentage with 75.2%. He was third in saves made, either 119 or 121, depending on which website one utilizes. He did allow 45 goals, which was in the middle of the table for everyday keepers, but his individual performances illuminated his importance to the team and why he was the MVP.

One great example was the 1-1 draw against Inter Miami CF back in March. A hungry Luis Suárez was desperate to give his team the lead, but Freese had five saves on the night to keep the Pigeons in the match. Another great example was the 1-1 draw against D.C. United in September. The game was during the winless streak and NYCFC was struggling. If Freese had not made seven saves, then the Boys in Blue would have left D.C. with no points.

Of course, he was the hero in the penalty kick shootout in the final game of the Round One Best-of-3 series in the MLS Cup Playoffs. The goalkeeper made three saves in nine rounds of the shootout to help NYCFC beat FC Cincinnati. He also had four saves in regulation to earn a clean sheet.

These are just a few examples from multiple fixtures that highlight why Freese was the 2024 MVP for the Pigeons. NYCFC is lucky to have him.