How Stefan Frei Made Me Eat Crow
The second time I watched Stefan play as a Sounder was at a Vancouver Whitecaps Away Match. I remember it distinctly because it was one of my first Away Matches with Emerald City Supporters (ECS) And I was really amped about the new GK, that Sigi hired.
How Stefan Frei Made Me Eat Crow
First impressions often last, and I wasn’t impressed at all.
It’s 2014. I just settled back into my “seat” with Canadian adult sippy cup of beer. ECS was in maximum support mode even early in the match.
Frei was about to goal kick but he drags the ball to the far right to the 18. I initially thought that was an odd move but hey I’m not a professional soccer player so what do I know?
Next thing I see is Frei’s kick sail 50-yards into the largest pack of Whitecaps since kick off. Fernandez boots the ball into the empty as Frei fruitlessly runs back to cover.
1-0, within minutes of the match.
I lose my shit! WHO DOES THAT?! I’m livid.
After this match, I would continue to throw shade at this player, while drinking my Hatorade in the stands for years ...
Fast forward to 2016.
Sounders played well enough to enter post-season. Then the impossible happened.
For the first time in franchise history, the Rave Green was the Western Conference Champions and headed to the MLS Cup Finals against Toronto FC.
And ... it came down to this one save.
Jozy Altidore, Toronto FC and the soccer watching world thought that was the dagger to the heart into Seattle Sounders FC in OT.
NOPE!
Denied; saved by Frei! Which ultimately put the match into penalty kicks and we won.
Last year, we returned to face Toronto FC AGAIN. Despite Stefan’s efforts, and the rest of the SSFC, we completely collapsed.
But that didn’t stop me from having to eat a ginormous bail of crow while watching Frei defend the goal like a wall.
I met him at a ECS Party. Super nice guy as well as athletic, don’t I feel like an asshole!
And that, kids, is how Stefan Frei made me eat crow.
