Former Harvard goalie Matt Freese experiencing stops and starts

Matt Freese against FC Cincinnati. (Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Matt Freese seemed to be doing nearly everything necessary to prove he belonged in the professional ranks in recent weeks. But during his second MLS start, the former Harvard University goalkeeper sustained an oblique strain, departing the Philadelphia Union’s 2-0 win over FC Cincinnati after 41 minutes this past Wednesday.

Freese’s return has not been set, but he will have plenty to build on should he get back in the lineup.

The 20-year-old, who appeared in only 16 games while at Harvard, became the youngest starting goalkeeper in MLS when he replaced an injured Andre Blake on April 20 against the Montreal Impact. The former UConn star and No. 1 overall SuperDraft pick is recovering from a groin injury.