If the disastrous goal allowed by the United States men’s soccer team Monday night in the World Cup Round of 16 gave you Tristan Jarry flashbacks, you weren’t alone.
Numerous Pittsburgh Penguins fans took to social media after Team USA soccer goalie Matt Freese slipped on a banana peel to allow Belgium to take a 3-1 lead in the second half.
This reminded me of Tristan Jarry pic.twitter.com/krvbukZhNq
— Rob Zimmer (@PGHfan_66) July 7, 2026
That goal helped Belgium win 4-1 to move on from the round of 16 and eliminate the Americans in the process.
Meanwhile, much of Pittsburgh was trying to shut out intrusive thoughts of Penguins-Islanders in double overtime of Game 5 when Jarry brutally turned the puck over to New York’s Josh Bailey for the eventual game-winner.
The similarities were too obvious for Penguins fans to ignore.
Shades of Tristan Jarry pic.twitter.com/mvFNR8Ur5X
— Adam Crowley (@_adamcrowley) July 7, 2026
Since when has Tristan Jarry started playing soccer? https://t.co/1h3whFP1hb
— HockeyGUY66871 (@HockeyGuy66871) July 7, 2026
That was the dumbest thing I’ve ever seen a goalie do, and I watched Tristan Jarry for years
— Brad Pittsburgh (@brad_pittsburgh) July 7, 2026
Matt Freese pic.twitter.com/10YnCeQjjZ
— Around The 412 (@AroundThe412) July 7, 2026
Matt Freese just pulled a Tristan Jarry ???? pic.twitter.com/s7tYZ6KoEG
— MangumBurgh (45-45) (@ItzDaBurgh) July 7, 2026
When did the USMNT sign Tristan Jarry to be their goaltender? #worldcup
— Chris Datres (@CDatres24) July 7, 2026
At least the World Cup ended for Freese on Monday night. Jarry had to turn around and play two days later in New York, only to allow five more goals to the Islanders on 24 shots before the Pens were eliminated in Game 6.
Jarry rebounded the next season and made the All-Star team, but he never won another playoff game here.
In fact, the only other Penguins postseason game Jarry would play in would be Game 7 of the 2022 Eastern Conference quarterfinals against the New York Rangers. That was a 4-3 overtime loss, featuring Jarry’s return from a foot injury after Louis Domingue kept the Pens afloat for the first six games of that series. Domingue won three and lost three after replacing an injured Casey DeSmith before the Rangers eliminated the Penguins at Madison Square Garden in Game 7.
Pittsburgh missed the playoffs the next three seasons. Jarry was eventually traded to the Edmonton Oilers on Dec. 12, 2025.
However, dealing Freese to Canada doesn’t seem like an option.
Matt Freese with the game on the line #USMNT #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/OX4ElQy0Zf
— andy (@AndyGetBuckets) July 7, 2026