The young fullback carries on his family's sporting legacy with a memorable first goal for Orlando City SC.
Freeman nets first MLS goal in 4-2 win over Toronto FC20-year-old homegrown player makes first MLS startOrlando City SC faces New York City FC next in the leagueGet the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowGetty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED
Alex Freeman, the 20-year-old son of former NFL receiver Antonio Freeman, scored his first Major League Soccer goal in Orlando City SC's 4-2 victory over Toronto FC on March 1. The young fullback, making his first MLS start since signing as a homegrown player in 2022, doubled Orlando's lead in the 35th minute with a well-placed shot. The goal had head coach Oscar Pareja excited at the American’s future and he believes that the 20-year-old can become one of the best full-backs he has seen.
“It’s great news. Not just for Orlando City and our academy and the people who have developed him during his years, the coaches and family, but Alex [Freeman] today. He just demonstrated one more time something we see in the training ground, and it is that he’s ready,” Pareja said. “It is that he can become one of the best fullbacks in this country. I don’t have any doubt about that. Now scoring goals shows me that he’s not timid on playing this game for his age. I’m very pleased and very happy for Alex and I think Orlando has a bright future in that position with him.”
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Alex Freeman, a homegrown defender for Orlando City SC, was signed in February 2022 and has been part of Orlando's supplemental roster. He made his debut for the club in the 2023 season but played a total of only 10 minutes in the 2023 and 2024 combined. However, so far, things have changed in the 2025 season as Freeman has made a significant breakthrough, featuring in two matches so far. He played 34 minutes as a substitute in the season opener against Philadelphia Union, which ended in a 4-2 loss. His first start came in the second match against Toronto FC, where he played the full 90 minutes and even scored his first MLS goal for the club in a 4-2 win.
“I mean, it's a dream. I couldn't think of anything better – first start, first goal. Obviously, I'm going to be in there, making runs in behind and trying to get on goal. Then, the ball just came, and when I scored, I didn't even know what to do. I was just running around like an animal so yeah it just means the world, especially that my family could be there as well," Freeman said about his goal.
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The win over Toronto FC pushes Orlando City SC slightly up the table as they now sit in sixth place on the Eastern Conference table, three points behind leaders Philadelphia Union. The Lions go on the road next with back-to-back away games against New York City FC at the Yankee Stadium on March 9 and then the New York Red Bulls at the Sports Illustrated stadium on March 16.
