Sep 27, 2025; Harrison, New Jersey, USA; New York Red Bulls forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (13) slides in as New York City FC goalkeeper Matt Freese (49) secures th ball during the first half at Sports Illustrated Stadium.

New York City FC goalkeeper Matt Freese exited Saturday's match against the New York Red Bulls early with an apparent head injury.

Freese was involved in a heavy collision with Red Bulls forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting late in the first half, but the goalkeeper wasn't subbed out until the 67th minute.

Choupo-Moting and Freese both slid for a loose ball in the box and collided, with the forward kicking the goalkeeper's head.

The U.S. men's national team goalkeeper was shaken up after the play but managed to carry on after the break. However, he was eventually removed from the game in favor of Tomás Romero.

Romero helped see out a 3-2 win for the visitors in the Hudson River Derby.

“He’s being checked by the doctors and we’ll wait and see, but he had to be taken off — that’s a fact," NYCFC coach Pascal Jansen said after the game.

Depending on the severity of the injury, Freese could now be in danger of missing out on the USMNT's October roster.

Mauricio Pochettino is expected to name his roster next week for matches against Ecuador on Oct. 10 and Australia on Oct. 14.

Freese has taken over as the USMNT's starting goalkeeper after only earning his first cap in June.

The 27-year-old started every match of the Gold Cup as the U.S. reached the final, then started both of the team's September friendlies against South Korea and Japan.

This article originally appeared on Pro Soccer Wire: USMNT's Freese exits NYCFC-Red Bulls match with apparent head injury

Reporting by Seth Vertelney, Pro Soccer Wire / Pro Soccer Wire

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