Swiss goalkeeper Stefan Frei was hit in the head during his Seattle Sounders’ game against Columbus Crew. The match was subsequently abandoned. The all-clear was later given from the hospital.
After being knocked out of the Club World Cup, the Seattle Sounders are back in action in Major League Soccer. In the game against Columbus Crew, their 39-year-old goalkeeper Stefan Frei took center stage. The Swiss player was accidentally hit in the head by an opponent’s knee in stoppage time and remained dazed on the ground. The goalkeeper had come out of his goal for a free kick by the visitors when the collision occurred.
At the insistence of Seattle coach Brian Schmetzer in particular, the remaining minute was not played and the match was ended.
Frei takes it with humor
Frei was taken off the field at Lumen Field in an ambulance. He gave the all-clear himself via X a few hours later: “I’m still trying to figure out what happened at the end of the game.” The Swiss player posted a winking smiley face along with his message. “I am incredibly grateful to the team that took care of me and I am glad to be back home and able to rest.”
Frei, who has played for Seattle since 2014, was hit very hard, his coach Schmetzer said. However, he was awake when he was taken to the ambulance and was able to move his fingers. “We know Stef is resilient,” said teammate Cristian Roldan: “He’ll fight his way back.”
The Sounders remain fifth in the MLS Western Conference after the draw. Columbus is fourth in the East. The North American professional league continues with two games on Thursday night. Inter Miami, with Lionel Messi, will face New England Revolution away, while Los Angeles FC will host Colorado Rapids. Miami has already played one game since being knocked out of the Club World Cup, winning 4-1 in Montreal. Seattle will continue on Sunday night with an away game at Sporting Kansas City.