Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei was taken off the field by ambulance and rushed to a hospital for evaluation of head and neck injuries following a collision in Sunday’s Major League Soccer game against the Columbus Crew.
Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer confirmed that Frei was conscious and responsive as he was carried off the pitch. “His fingers were moving, so there was no paralysis or anything major, but obviously it’s a serious situation,” Schmetzer said.
Later that night, Frei shared an update on social media, saying he had returned home from the hospital. “Still trying to figure out what happened at the end of the game,” he wrote, “but I’m incredibly grateful to all the staff who cared for me and happy to be resting at home now. I’m deeply touched by all the messages, calls, and support I’ve received. Thank you — it means more than words can express.”
The incident occurred late in stoppage time when Frei surged forward to intercept a free kick. As he landed, his head collided with the knee of a Columbus Crew player, causing him to collapse onto the turf at Lumen Field. His teammates quickly signaled for medical assistance.
With the match tied 1-1, both Seattle coach Schmetzer and Crew coach Wilfried Nancy urged the referee to end the game immediately. Fans chanted Frei’s name as he was placed on a stretcher and loaded into the ambulance.
Schmetzer expressed gratitude toward Nancy for agreeing to halt the match despite the Crew having a corner kick opportunity in the final moments. “I appreciate what he did because the referee was not going to stop the game, and everyone knew it should have been stopped. So thank you, Wilfried,” Schmetzer said emotionally.
Frei, 39, has been a key player for the Sounders since joining in 2014. He helped lead Seattle to MLS Cup victories in 2016 and 2019, earning the MLS Cup MVP award in 2016. He was also selected as an MLS All-Star in 2017.
During the first half of Sunday’s match, Frei made his 1,000th regular-season save with Seattle. Only Nick Rimando, former Real Salt Lake goalkeeper, holds more saves (1,128) with a single MLS team.
Born in Switzerland, Frei moved to the United States as a teenager and excelled in college soccer at the University of California before turning professional.
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