Alex Freeman’s last 12 months have moved fast, taking him from Orlando City to Villarreal and into the USMNT picture as a potential World Cup contender.
The 20-year-old right back has gone from being a promising MLS prospect to testing himself in Spain, with his progress now putting him firmly on the national team radar. “Things can change so quickly,” Freeman said, reflecting on how quickly his career has shifted over the past year.
Freeman’s story began in Orlando, where he continued to develop inside Orlando City’s system and push for a bigger role. Over time, that steady rise turned into a rapid leap, as Villarreal moved to bring him to LaLiga.
The switch to Villarreal has put Freeman in a different environment, with higher daily demands and a new level of competition, but his trajectory has not slowed. His performances and growth have been noticed, and that has carried over to his standing with the USMNT set-up.
What has been revealed is just how quickly Freeman has entered serious contention for a place in the United States’ long-term plans, with his move to Villarreal and his continued development now making him one to watch in the lead-up to the World Cup.
For Freeman, the pace of it all has been the biggest lesson. He knows the next stage will require the same focus that got him here, but his rise from Orlando to Villarreal in a year has already underlined the point he made himself: everything can change quickly in football.
