Packers have surprising tie to the USMNT success at the World Cup through franchise legend, and it showed against Australia
Alex Freeman, who scored a goal for the United States against Australia, is son of Packers legend Antonio Freeman.
The sports DNA runs through the Freemans’ veins. Antonio, the dad, is a Green Bay Packers hall of famer and legend. His son, Alex, scored a goal during the USMNT second FIFA World Cup game against Australia on Friday. Somehow, the Packers have a strong connection to the national team’s success in the group stage of the World Cup.
“It was almost mesmerizing going to his soccer games and just every other word from all of the kids, was ‘Freeman, Freeman, Freeman, Freeman, Freeman,’” Antonio said in a recent interview with ESPN. “And he just had this smile and this happiness on the soccer field. Even though he was good at other sports, that one seemed to come the easiest.”
Also to ESPN, Alex said that his dad is not necessarily a soccer fan.
“My dad didn’t know anything about soccer,” Alex told ESPN ahead of the World Cup. “He’s just kind of learned as I’ve gone on, and it’s been good to know that he’s had an interest in wanting to learn more about the sport as I’ve gone on.”
Football journey
Antonio Freeman is now 54. A third-round pick in 1995, the former wide receiver played for the Packers through 2001 and was part of the Super Bowl XXXI championship team. After spending a year on the Philadelphia Eagles, Freeman returned to the Packers in 2003 before a quick stint on the Miami Dolphins. Freeman was a First-Team All-Pro and NFL’s receiving yards leader (1,424) in 1998.
Soccer journey
Alex wasn’t even born when his dad played in Green Bay. He was born in August, 2004, right when his dad had his final NFL job. A 6-2 right-back, the youngster played for Weston FC and Orlando City before moving to the Spanish league in 2026. He currently plays for Villarreal.
“I had my doubts when I first chose soccer,” Alex said to ESPN. “In my heart, I wanted to continue playing football, but I knew that if I wanted to be the best, I had to limit my area of concentration and I had to limit it all to soccer at that point.”
Ultimately, though, it was the right decision. Alex got called for the USMNT senior team for the first time last year and is part of the roster for the World Cup. Against Australia, he scored the second goal right before halftime.
His father couldn’t be happier, and that’s just an extra reason for the Packers fans to follow the World Cup closer.