Alex Freeman, son of Super Bowl champion wide receiver Antonio Freeman, sent the US fans into a frenzy after scoring for the United States in the FIFA World Cup match against Australia.
This was the third international goal for Freeman, who is the team’s youngest starter at just 21 years old. The hosts were already 1-0 ahead, courtesy of a goal by Cameron Burgess, and the goal by Freeman almost put the team on the brink of a victory in the first half itself.
Antonee Robinson sent a free kick to Sergino Dest, who fired a shot from just outside the penalty area. The ball deflected off an Australian defender and high into the air, and Freeman leapt – high-pointing the ball, in NFL terms – and headed it past the goalkeeper Patrick Beach and into the net. The celebration was briefly halted, and the referee checked for offside, but the goal was ruled valid.
“He deserves it,” U.S. defender Chris Richards said. “He’s had a great so far and a great progression throughout the last year.”
Freeman called it “a full-circle family moment.”
“For me, it just shows how great the family tree is,” he said. “He can be great, but I can be great in my own way as well. I think that just shows how amazing it is to have a dad who’s successful and that can mentor me to be able to be ready for moments like these.”
Who Is Alex Freeman’s Father, Antonio Freeman
Antonio Freeman played nine seasons of the NFL, mostly with the Green Bay Packers as a favourite target of quarterback Brett Favre. They won the Super Bowl together after the 1996 season, with Freeman hauling in an 81-yard touchdown pass from Favre that gave the Packers the lead for good against the New England Patriots.
Antonio Freeman was one of the pioneers of the Packers’ signature celebration, the Lambeau Leap. Now his son has a signature jump of his own.
Alex Freeman spent much of the last two years vying for a spot on the U.S. roster. He was a starter for Orlando City of Major League Soccer, but had to battle with more experienced defenders to get selected. A few months before the World Cup, he gambled on himself.
In January, Freeman accepted a move to Villarreal of La Liga, accepting a smaller role than what he enjoyed with Orlando.
Two months earlier, Freeman impressed U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino in his 13th international appearance, scoring two goals against Uruguay in a 5-1 victory on Nov. 18.
“He’s so humble. He wants to learn. He always listens,” Pochettino said. “He’s a player that you really enjoy being with him. Not only coaching, but being with him. He’s a lovely guy, and he’s an amazing player.”
Freeman made an immediate impact in the World Cup, playing all 90 minutes in the U.S. opener against Paraguay. He assisted on Gio Reyna’s extra-time goal in the 4-1 victory.
“As long as he continues to develop and he’s able to show he’s doing it on the big stage,” striker Folarin Balogun said, “I think he’s going to have a bright future.”