Having a former professional athlete as a father could dictate which path a young player takes, but Alex Freeman has created his own path en route to a thriving soccer career. Freeman is in the midst of a break MLS campaign for Orlando City, which has led to the young defender being part of the current U.S. men’s national team squad. The 20-year-old is the son of former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Antonio, who played nine NFL seasons and won a Super Bowl in 1996. Athletic spirit has certainly transferred to Alex, who has contributed four goals and one assist in 17 appearances for the Lions during the first half of the season. That early season success has led to the right back earning his first USMNT opportunities this year, serving as one of the youngest players on the current Gold Cup roster. Along with fellow right backs Sergino Dest, Joe Scally, and others, Freeman will be aiming to be part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup roster, knowing the competition gets underway in less than one year’s time. Overall inexperience might be against him in the head-to-head battles with Dest and Scally for a starting role, but Freeman’s confidence remains sky high after choosing soccer over football. “Growing up, I always got asked if [American] football was the path, but when I was younger, I always had a secret love for soccer, and I feel like it was more than any other sport,” Freeman said Tuesday in a conference call. “I had to pick, and I think soccer was the clear choice by far.“What’s happening this year, I feel like it’s an honor,” Freeman added. “I feel like it’s a blessing. Obviously the World Cup in 2026 is always something that I’m going to work to.”Freeman has started two of the USMNT’s three matches during the June window and remains a high option to start against Saudi Arabia on Thursday night in Austin, Texas. The USMNT will be seeking to clinch a knockout round berth with a home victory.