Latest news with #Freese
New York Post
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Foo Fighters hire Ilan Rubin as new drummer months after firing Josh Freese
The Foo Fighters have reportedly found a new drummer. Two months after parting ways with Josh Freese, sources tell The Hollywood Reporter that the 'My Hero' rockers have tapped Ilan Rubin, 37, to take over on drums. Rubin has worked as the touring drummer for Nine Inch Nails since 2009, and he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with the band back in 2020. 9 Ilan Rubin was reportedly hired by Foo Fighters as Josh Freese's replacement. NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images 9 The rock band, with frontman Dave Grohl, fired Josh Freese in May. Boston Globe via Getty Images He is also the drummer for Angels & Airwaves and Paramore, as well as previously working with famed composer, singer, and songwriter Danny Elfman. Meanwhile, Freese – who was booted from the Foo Fighters in May after two years with the band – is reportedly joining Nine Inch Nails as their new drummer. It is currently unclear if Rubin will serve as a full-time member of the Foo Fighters or just work as the 'Everlong' group's touring drummer. 9 Ilan Rubin reportedly told Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor he recently accepted a new job. Getty Images 9 IIan Rubin has been the touring drummer for Nine Inch Nails since 2009, and he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with the band back in 2020. NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images However, he reportedly told Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor that he recently 'accepted a job with another band,' per THR. As for Nine Inch Nails, they posted a picture of Freese, 52, to their Instagram Story on Wednesday with the caption: 'Let's f—ing go.' Fans of both rock bands rushed to Instagram following the surprising Rubin and Freese swap. 9 Meanwhile, Josh Freese is allegedly rejoining Nine Inch Nails as its drummer. Samir Hussein/WireImage 9 He previously drummed for Nine Inch Nails from late 2005 through 2008. WireImage 'And Josh Freese back with NIN,' one person commented. 'A win-win situation.' 'Swap,' wrote another. 'Wonder if there's any bad blood.' 'He's a great drummer!' a third fan wrote about Rubin joining the Foo Fighters. 9 In May, Freese revealed the Foo Fighters decided 'to go in a different direction with their drummer.' Getty Images for Harley-Davidson Freese took to social media back in May to reveal that he and the Foo Fighters parted ways. 'The Foo Fighters called me Monday night to let me know they've decided 'to go in a different direction with their drummer,'' Freese, who joined the band in 2023 after the sudden death of Taylor Hawkins, began. 'No reason was given.' 'Regardless, I enjoyed the past two years with them, both on and off stage,' he continued. 'I support whatever they feel is best for the band.' 9 Ilan Rubin was indicted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with Nine Inch Nails back in 2020. Getty Images for KROQ 9 Josh Freese joined the Foo Fighters in 2023 after the sudden death of Taylor Hawkins. Getty Images Despite being shocked by Grohl and the 'Big Me' band's decision, Freese said that he wasn't worried about finding work elsewhere. 'In my 40 years of drumming professionally, I've never been let go from a band,' he said. 'So while I'm not angry – just a bit shocked and disappointed.' 'But as most of you know I've always worked freelance and bounced between bands so, I'm fine,' Freese concluded. 'Stay tuned for my 'Top 10 reasons Josh got booted from the Foo Fighters' list.' Freese previously drummed for Nine Inch Nails from late 2005 through 2008, so his return will mark a reunion for 'Hurt' rockers. He also drummed for Guns N' Roses and A Perfect Circle, and has been a member of the Vandals since 1989 and Devo since 1996.
Fox News
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
Projecting USA's 2026 World Cup squad: Tillman, Luna leapfrog Reyna post-Gold Cup
Just because the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup ended in tears for Mauricio Pochettino doesn't mean the U.S. men's national team coach didn't get what he wanted this summer. Sure, winning the tournament was the priority. After a hastily thrown-together group of Americans — a group that was missing star forward Christian Pulisic and about a dozen other regulars — willed their way to the final before losing a hard-fought match to rival Mexico in front of 71,000 mostly El Tri fans, of course it hurt. But Pochettino learned an awful lot about his players in June and July — lessons that will help inform the many difficult decisions he must make next May, when the co-hosts' 26-man roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup must be submitted to global soccer's governing body. Ten months out, who projects to make the cut? Here are our best guesses as things stand today. Starter: Matt Turner Backups: Matt Freese, Zack SteffenJust missed out: Chris Brady, Diego Kochen, Patrick Schulte, Gaga Slonina Although Pochettino was determined to give another keeper a look during the Gold Cup — Freese became the beneficiary when Steffen and Schulte withdrew from the squad because of injury — Turner projects to reclaim the No. 1 job. He should at least get the chance: The 2022 World Cup starter is expected to leave Premier League Nottingham Forest for French club Lyon before the Ligue 1 season kicks off next month. Turner, 31, would replace Brazilian Lucas Perri, who has drawn interest from England this summer. Freese probably played his way onto the 2026 roster at the Gold Cup; his three saves in a shootout win over Costa Rica (and legendary Ticos backstop Keylor Navas) sent the Americans to the semifinals. The third spot is still up for grabs. But the smart money is on veteran Steffen. Had he not been sidelined, the 31-year-old former Manchester City backup would've been Pochettino's Gold Cup pick. Starters: Sergino Dest, Chris Richards, Tim Ream, Antonee "Jedi" RobinsonBackups: Max Arfsten, Alex Freeman, Mark McKenzie, Walker ZimmermanJust missed out: Cameron Carter-Vickers, Miles Robinson, Joe Scally, John Tolkin, Auston Trusty When the 2022 World Cup ended, few expected then-35-year-old Ream to continue with the USMNT. Almost three years later, nobody else has beaten out the wily left-footed center back for the open spot next to the rock-solid Richards, who was a revelation for the USMNT at the Gold Cup. That could still happen between now and next summer. As it stands, though, the job belongs to Ream, who served as Poch's captain throughout the regional championship. Dest and Jedi both missed the Gold Cup while recovering from injury but are clear locks at fullback if healthy. Freeman and Arfsten emerged this summer as their likely understudies a year from now. Starters: Tyler Adams, Weston McKennieBackups: Johnny Cardoso, Sebastian Berhalter, Yunus Musah, Tanner Tessmann Just missed out: Gianluca Busio, Luca de la Torre, Aidan Morris For the U.S. to succeed on home soil, they'll need Adams and McKennie on the field. Poch could even reunite those two with Musah, who together formed the impressive "MMA" midfield that shut down pre-tournament favorite England at Qatar 2022. Berhalter is the biggest mover behind them, and the son of former USMNT Gregg Berhalter's accuracy on set-pieces gives him an advantage over the more experienced De la Torre. Lyon's Tessmann should return after being left home for the Gold Cup. Meantime, Cardoso remains an enigma at the international level. An ankle injury limited the 23-year-old box-to-box type to just 10 Gold Cup minutes, but it didn't prevent Spanish titans Atlético Madrid from dropping a $35 million transfer fee on him last week. Starter: Malik TillmanBackup: Diego Luna Just missed out: Jack McGlynn, Gio Reyna With three goals in six games, Luna got much of the buzz at the Gold Cup. Not only did Tillman match that production, his quality, maturity and toughness were on display all tournament. There's no reason to think that the 23-year-old won't take that confidence into the European season with new club Bayer Leverkusen, which Tillman joined last week following back-to-back titles (and UEFA Champions League knockout stage appearances) with Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven. Then there's Reyna. The oft-injured playmaker seems as far away from the USMNT as ever after logging only 12 minutes off the bench during Borussia Dortmund's run at the FIFA Club World Cup. He's made just one cameo under Poch. Multiple European reports have the 22-year-old headed to Italy's Parma, which could be an ideal fit. As it stands today, however, it's obvious that Reyna is on the outside looking in. Starters: Tim Weah, Christian PulisicBackups: Brenden Aaronson, Haji WrightJust missed out: Paxten Aaronson, Damion Downs, Quinn Sullivan Even if Pochettino elects not to summon Pulisic for the September friendlies against Japan and South Korea after Pulisic skipped the Gold Cup, the coach and his most irreplaceable player need each other. They'll find a way to get onto the same page in the lead-in to the World Cup, where Pulisic will be front and center for the USMNT. But the classy, fleet-footed Weah is almost as important on the other side, where he can stretch defenses and open up space for teammates. As Poch's Gold Cup selections showed, there is a dearth of true wingers in the American player pool after Pulisic and Weah. Wright would've gotten more of a look but left camp with an Achilles problem after scoring in the group stage opener. Still, he's performed under Poch and can also play as a center forward. And while Aaronson doesn't seem to be the coach's cup of tea, there isn't an obvious alternative. While Downs saw more time off the bench in the knockout stage, most of those minutes came in a central role. Starter: Ricardo PepiBackups: Folarin Balogun, Josh SargentJust missed out: Patrick Agyemang, Brian White Not only is Pepi fully healthy again following surgery to repair a torn meniscus he suffered after scoring the game-winning goal over Liverpool in a Champions League match last January, he enters the new campaign as PSV's first choice striker following the departure of club legend Luuk de Jong. That's huge for the 22-year-old Texan. Balogun should also be fit after an injury-plagued 2024-25; an ankle issue forced the Monaco man out of Gold Cup consideration. It's an open race between those two — one Agyemang has been leading with Sargent overlooked by Poch this summer. But projecting out 10 months, Sargent might have the advantage. Word is he's returning to the German Bundesliga with Wolfsburg, which would be the perfect step up for a player who was the best at his position in England's second tier Championship last season. Either way, Agyemang's own move comes with significant risk. The rangy (6-foot-4) 24-year-old just left MLS's Charlotte for Derby County — a club that finished 19th in the Championship last term and scored just 48 goals in 46 games — and will surely need time to settle on and off the field. Doug McIntyre is a soccer reporter for FOX Sports who has covered United States men's and women's national teams at FIFA World Cups on five continents. Follow him @ByDougMcIntyre.
Fox Sports
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Projecting USA's 2026 World Cup squad: Tillman, Luna leapfrog Reyna post-Gold Cup
FIFA Men's World Cup Projecting USA's 2026 World Cup squad: Tillman, Luna leapfrog Reyna post-Gold Cup Published Jul. 22, 2025 5:45 p.m. ET share facebook x reddit link Just because the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup ended in tears for Mauricio Pochettino doesn't mean the U.S. men's national team coach didn't get what he wanted this summer. Sure, winning the tournament was the priority. After a hastily thrown-together group of Americans — a group that was missing star forward Christian Pulisic and about a dozen other regulars — willed their way to the final before losing a hard-fought match to rival Mexico in front of 71,000 mostly El Tri fans, of course it hurt. But Pochettino learned an awful lot about his players in June and July — lessons that will help inform the many difficult decisions he must make next May, when the co-hosts' 26-man roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup must be submitted to global soccer's governing body. Ten months out, who projects to make the cut? Here are our best guesses as things stand today. Goalkeepers (Photo by Stephen Nadler/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images) Starter: Matt Turner Backups: Matt Freese, Zack Steffen Just missed out: Chris Brady, Diego Kochen, Patrick Schulte, Gaga Slonina Although Pochettino was determined to give another keeper a look during the Gold Cup — Freese became the beneficiary when Steffen and Schulte withdrew from the squad because of injury — Turner projects to reclaim the No. 1 job. He should at least get the chance: The 2022 World Cup starter is expected to leave Premier League Nottingham Forest for French club Lyon before the Ligue 1 season kicks off next month. Turner, 31, would replace Brazilian Lucas Perri, who has drawn interest from England this summer. ADVERTISEMENT Freese probably played his way onto the 2026 roster at the Gold Cup; his three saves in a shootout win over Costa Rica (and legendary Ticos backstop Keylor Navas) sent the Americans to the semifinals. The third spot is still up for grabs. But the smart money is on veteran Steffen. Had he not been sidelined, the 31-year-old former Manchester City backup would've been Pochettino's Gold Cup pick. Defenders (Photo by John Dorton/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images) Starters: Sergino Dest, Chris Richards, Tim Ream, Antonee "Jedi" Robinson Backups: Max Arfsten, Alex Freeman, Mark McKenzie, Walker Zimmerman Just missed out: Cameron Carter-Vickers, Miles Robinson, Joe Scally, John Tolkin, Auston Trusty When the 2022 World Cup ended, few expected then-35-year-old Ream to continue with the USMNT. Almost three years later, nobody else has beaten out the wily left-footed center back for the open spot next to the rock-solid Richards, who was a revelation for the USMNT at the Gold Cup. That could still happen between now and next summer. As it stands, though, the job belongs to Ream, who served as Poch's captain throughout the regional championship. Dest and Jedi both missed the Gold Cup while recovering from injury but are clear locks at fullback if healthy. Freeman and Arfsten emerged this summer as their likely understudies a year from now. Holding midfielders (Photo by) Starters: Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie Backups: Johnny Cardoso, Sebastian Berhalter, Yunus Musah, Tanner Tessmann Just missed out: Gianluca Busio, Luca de la Torre, Aidan Morris For the U.S. to succeed on home soil, they'll need Adams and McKennie on the field. Poch could even reunite those two with Musah, who together formed the impressive "MMA" midfield that shut down pre-tournament favorite England at Qatar 2022. Berhalter is the biggest mover behind them, and the son of former USMNT Gregg Berhalter's accuracy on set-pieces gives him an advantage over the more experienced De la Torre. Lyon's Tessmann should return after being left home for the Gold Cup. Meantime, Cardoso remains an enigma at the international level. An ankle injury limited the 23-year-old box-to-box type to just 10 Gold Cup minutes, but it didn't prevent Spanish titans Atlético Madrid from dropping a $35 million transfer fee on him last week. Attacking midfielders (Photo by) Starter: Malik Tillman Backup: Diego Luna Just missed out: Jack McGlynn, Gio Reyna With three goals in six games, Luna got much of the buzz at the Gold Cup. Not only did Tillman match that production, his quality, maturity and toughness were on display all tournament. There's no reason to think that the 23-year-old won't take that confidence into the European season with new club Bayer Leverkusen, which Tillman joined last week following back-to-back titles (and UEFA Champions League knockout stage appearances) with Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven. Then there's Reyna. The oft-injured playmaker seems as far away from the USMNT as ever after logging only 12 minutes off the bench during Borussia Dortmund's run at the FIFA Club World Cup. He's made just one cameo under Poch. Multiple European reports have the 22-year-old headed to Italy's Parma, which could be an ideal fit. As it stands today, however, it's obvious that Reyna is on the outside looking in. Wingers (Photo by Giuseppe Cottini/AC Milan via Getty Images) Starters: Tim Weah, Christian Pulisic Backups: Brenden Aaronson, Haji Wright Just missed out: Paxten Aaronson, Damion Downs, Quinn Sullivan Even if Pochettino elects not to summon Pulisic for the September friendlies against Japan and South Korea after Pulisic skipped the Gold Cup, the coach and his most irreplaceable player need each other. They'll find a way to get onto the same page in the lead-in to the World Cup, where Pulisic will be front and center for the USMNT. But the classy, fleet-footed Weah is almost as important on the other side, where he can stretch defenses and open up space for teammates. As Poch's Gold Cup selections showed, there is a dearth of true wingers in the American player pool after Pulisic and Weah. Wright would've gotten more of a look but left camp with an Achilles problem after scoring in the group stage opener. Still, he's performed under Poch and can also play as a center forward. And while Aaronson doesn't seem to be the coach's cup of tea, there isn't an obvious alternative. While Downs saw more time off the bench in the knockout stage, most of those minutes came in a central role. Striker (Photo by Bill Barrett/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images) Starter: Ricardo Pepi Backups: Folarin Balogun, Josh Sargent Just missed out: Patrick Agyemang, Brian White Not only is Pepi fully healthy again following surgery to repair a torn meniscus he suffered after scoring the game-winning goal over Liverpool in a Champions League match last January, he enters the new campaign as PSV's first choice striker following the departure of club legend Luuk de Jong. That's huge for the 22-year-old Texan. Balogun should also be fit after an injury-plagued 2024-25; an ankle issue forced the Monaco man out of Gold Cup consideration. It's an open race between those two — one Agyemang has been leading with Sargent overlooked by Poch this summer. But projecting out 10 months, Sargent might have the advantage. Word is he's returning to the German Bundesliga with Wolfsburg, which would be the perfect step up for a player who was the best at his position in England's second tier Championship last season. Either way, Agyemang's own move comes with significant risk. The rangy (6-foot-4) 24-year-old just left MLS's Charlotte for Derby County — a club that finished 19th in the Championship last term and scored just 48 goals in 46 games — and will surely need time to settle on and off the field. Doug McIntyre is a soccer reporter for FOX Sports who has covered United States men's and women's national teams at FIFA World Cups on five continents. Follow him @ ByDougMcIntyre . share
New York Post
18-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Matt Freese ready to build off ‘new foundation' set with USMNT at stellar Gold Cup
New York City FC goalkeeper Matt Freese joked that he doesn't consider himself the smartest guy in the world, even though he graduated from Harvard with a degree in economics. And no, there's no special formula he's been using to explain the success he's been having this season. Freese had already been having a good year for NYCFC when he entered the Gold Cup with the U.S. Men's National Team earlier this summer, and by the end of it, he had become a bona fide star. That has put Freese in the conversation to be the Americans' starting keeper with the kickoff of the 2026 World Cup less than a year away. 3 Matt Freese celebrates after making a save during the penalty shootout during a game between Costa Rica and USMNT at U.S. Bank Stadium on June 29, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Getty Images Prior to the Gold Cup, Freese had made one appearance for the USMNT, but ended up replacing longtime netminder Matt Turner and starting all six matches for the Americans. 'It was a huge honor, incredible honor to be, not only in the group, but also the one playing for the tournament,' Freese told The Post in a phone interview. 'I promised myself at the end of the January camp that I was gonna do everything possible to make sure I was ready for it in case it did happen.' The 26-year-old had only made his senior team debut days before the start of the Gold Cup, and the career MLS player took the opportunity and ran with it. Outside of a hiccup in the group stage against Haiti — misplaying a clearance attempt that led to a goal for Haiti — Freese put on a strong performance and was especially heralded for his work during the quarterfinals when he played hero during penalty kicks in the match against Costa Rica. Freese explained that head coach Mauricio Pochettino and the coaching staff had called the Gold Cup a 'big step for me' as he helped the United States reach the finals, where they eventually lost to Mexico, 2-1. So does that mean Freese will be starting in net for the United States in 2026? 'There's not been much communication about that,' Freese said. 'Obviously, the communication was positive, and there's a lot of work to be done for me. I need to continue to improve in areas and continue to push, but the communication was that it was a big step, took a big step forward. 'But that step where I reached now, that has to now be the minimum standard. That's a new foundation for me, and I need to continue to build on that foundation.' 3 Matt Freese looks on before a game against Charlotte FC at Bank of America Stadium on July 12, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Getty Images Freese credited his success to the preparation he puts into his craft and said 'nothing changes' whether he's getting ready to play in an MLS preseason game or face Mexico in the Gold Cup final. 'It gives me comfort knowing that I've done the same thing leading up to every game,' he said. USMNT captain Tyler Adams previously told The Post how 'amazing' it was to see how Freese 'grew into himself throughout the tournament.' Freese acknowledged that after a few games during the tournament, he started to feel more comfortable and that also plays into his success on the pitch. 'I'm someone that when I'm myself and when I'm confident, having fun and talking smack, that's when I'm at my best,' he said. 3 New York City FC goalkeeper Matt Freese blocks a shot by Orlando City. AP Freese returned to his MLS club last week and helped NYCFC to a 2-1 victory on Wednesday over Orlando SC, a team sitting in front of City in the conference standings. And he'll be back between the pipes Saturday when NYCFC faces Sporting KC. After the breakout performance in the Gold Cup, it would be easy to get ahead of oneself, but Freese is back to strengthen his case for next year. 'Am I allowing myself to think about that, to be honest? No,' he said. 'I'm someone that really likes to stay in the present. And you know there is about 330 days before the tournament starts.'
New Straits Times
07-07-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Mexico defeat USA 2-1 to retain CONCACAF Gold Cup
HOUSTON: Mexico defeated the United States 2-1 to retain the CONCACAF Gold Cup and lift the title for a record-extending 10th time on Sunday. A header 13 minutes from time from Mexico skipper Edson Alvarez completed a come-from-behind victory for 'El Tri' after a typically hard-fought tussle between the North American arch-rivals and 2026 World Cup co-hosts. The win was no less than Mexico deserved after dominating for long periods against Mauricio Pochettino's inexperienced USA side, who went into the tournament missing several first-choice regulars. Alvarez's winner capped a fairytale return to Houston after he had limped off in tears at the same venue during Mexico's opening game of the Copa America last year. "It's a very emotional moment for me," the West Ham midfielder said afterwards. "Ever since I got to Houston, I've been thinking about that heartbreak. I just asked life to give me one more joy." The USA had got off to a dream start, center-back Chris Richards heading the hosts into a fourth-minute lead in front of just under 71,000 fans at Houston's NRG Stadium. Sebastian Berhalter's perfectly flighted curling free-kick from wide on the right sowed panic in the Mexican defence and Crystal Palace defender Richards stooped to glance in a powerful header which cannoned off the underside of the bar and over the line. But that early effort was to be the USA's best chance of a first half that Mexico controlled, spending most of the opening 45 minutes camped in the host nation's territory. Mexico's 16-year-old prodigy Gilberto Mora threatened to grab an equaliser in the 24th minute but his curling shot was saved by USA goalkeeper Matt Freese. Three minutes later though Mexico drew level. Marcel Ruiz threaded a superb pass through to veteran striker Raul Jimenez, who crashed an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net. Jimenez celebrated by producing a shirt bearing the name and number 20 of late former Wolverhampton Wanderers team-mate Diogo Jota, the Liverpool and Portugal star who died in a car crash in Spain last week. Mexico continued to carve out the better chances through the remainder of the half and Roberto Alvarado's low shot forced another good save from Freese in the 35th minute. Freese needed to be alert again five minutes from half-time, Mora's powerful strike being parried away by the USA goalkeeper as it hurtled towards the top corner. Alex Freeman almost nodded the USA back in front on the stroke of half-time after pouncing on hesitation by goalkeeper Angel Malagon, but his header cannoned back off the face of the Mexico stopper. The second half followed a similar pattern, with Mexico looking much the more threatening side as the USA struggled to create anything at the other end. The breakthrough finally came though in the 77th minute, when Johan Vazquez's flick-on from a free-kick was met by Alvarez who powered a header into the net past Freese. The goal was chalked off for offside, but replays showed Alvarez was clearly onside, and after a check by the Video Assistant Referee, the on-field decision was overturned and the goal stood. Mexico have now won the Gold Cup a record 10 times, three more than the USA, who have seven. "Obviously we're disappointed not to come away with a win," USA captain Tim Ream said after the defeat. "We started out really well and then they obviously got a spell in the game in the second part of the first half. We just missed a little bit of calmness when we won the ball, to try and move them around a little bit," Ream added. - AFP
