Sounders goalie Stefan Frei taken off field in ambulance in scary MLS scene
Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei left the field in an ambulance after taking an accidental knee to the head from a Columbus Crew player during a free kick in stoppage time of a 1-1 draw.
Frei's head hit the player's knee while he was coming down from jumping to try to defend the free kick.
3 Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei kicks the ball against the Crew on July 6, 2025.
Kevin Ng-Imagn Images
3 An ambulance drives on the field for injured Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei on July 6, 2025.
Kevin Ng-Imagn Images
The 39-year-old dropped to the turf as players motioned to the training staff to take a look at Frei.
After some deliberation, Frei was loaded onto a stretcher and taken to the hospital. He was responsive as they left the field.
By the time the night rolled around, Frei was able to return home and update his injury status on social media.
'incredibly grateful to all the staff that looked after me.' Frei stated 'What resonates is all the messages, calls, and love I've received from so many of you. Thank you — truly…. It means more than I can put into words.'
Even after the scary injury, the refs were ready to resume the game with a corner kick for the Crew. But Crew manager Wilfried Nancy and Sounders manager Brian Schmetzer agreed to end the match.
3 Columbus Crew manager Wilfred Nancy.
Getty Images
'When we see that, football is not important,' Nancy said. 'I asked what happened because I didn't see. After that, I told them that I am ready to stop the game because this is not important, that's it.'
There is no return timetable for Frei.
He has backstopped the Sounders to an 8-6-6 record, which is good for fifth in the Western Conference after Sunday's draw.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
LeBron James' future with Lakers beyond 2025-26 certain to generate speculation leading up to training camp
With roughly two months before NBA teams report to training camp and roughly three before the 2025-26 NBA season tips off, LeBron James' future with the Los Angeles Lakers is going to be a frequent topic of discussion among media and fans. In his latest column, NBA reporter Marc Stein outlined many of the key points that will influence James' decision over the next nine months — and past that, if the Lakers contend for an NBA championship. But the process may come down to one factor. "It all really depends on how this coming season goes," one of Stein's sources said. The Lakers finished last season tied for third in the Western Conference at 50-32, but were 18 games behind the eventual NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder. Losing their first-round playoff series to the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games made it apparent how far they are from winning an NBA title. President of basketball operations Rob Pelinka added center Deandre Ayton and forward Jake LaRavia, and re-signed center Jaxson Hayes. But will that be enough with James and Luka Dončić to contend in an extremely competitive Western Conference? James is largely responsible for creating these questions by picking up his $52.6 million player option for the upcoming season and not negotiating a longer-term deal with the Lakers. His agent, Rich Paul, also stoked speculation by issuing a statement to ESPN that said "LeBron wants to compete for a championship" and "values a realistic chance of winning it all." The statement also acknowledged that the Lakers were preparing for a future beyond James, which will be built around Dončić. "We understand the difficulty in winning now while preparing for the future," Paul said. "We do want to evaluate what's best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career. He wants to make every season he has left count, and the Lakers understand that, are supportive and want what's best for him." If it becomes clear that the Lakers won't contend for an NBA title, a trade could be in play. Stein highlights the Dallas Mavericks as a possible destination. Previous reporting says that Dallas would only be interested in adding James if he was bought out from his 2025-26 contract. Would that change halfway through the season if the Mavs felt they were in the championship hunt? The same likely applies to the Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks and even the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, if James wants to keep playing, not just in pursuit of a fifth NBA championship but playing 24 or 25 seasons, or being the oldest player to play in the league at 46 years or older, then each of those teams is a possible next stop for him. What Stein's reporting increasingly indicates is that it wouldn't happen with the Lakers.
Fox Sports
16 hours ago
- Fox Sports
Phoenix takes on Washington, aims to end 3-game slide
Associated Press Phoenix Mercury (15-9, 9-7 Western Conference) at Washington Mystics (12-12, 6-5 Eastern Conference) Washington; Sunday, 6 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: Phoenix Mercury comes into the matchup with Washington Mystics as losers of three straight games. The Mystics have gone 8-4 at home. Washington ranks third in the Eastern Conference in rebounding averaging 35.5 rebounds. Kiki Iriafen leads the Mystics with 8.4 boards. The Mercury are 6-5 in road games. Phoenix is sixth in the WNBA scoring 82.9 points per game while shooting 42.9%. Washington is shooting 43.3% from the field this season, 0.8 percentage points higher than the 42.5% Phoenix allows to opponents. Phoenix has shot at a 42.9% rate from the field this season, 0.6 percentage points above the 42.3% shooting opponents of Washington have averaged. The teams play for the second time this season. The Mercury won the last meeting 68-62 on May 25, with Monique Akoa Makani scoring 13 points in the win. TOP PERFORMERS: Brittney Sykes is averaging 16.8 points and 4.5 assists for the Mystics. Shakira Austin is averaging 14.7 points over the last 10 games. Alyssa Thomas is averaging 15.1 points, 7.8 rebounds and 9.4 assists for the Mercury. Sami Whitcomb is averaging 12.8 points over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Mystics: 6-4, averaging 76.8 points, 34.9 rebounds, 18.5 assists, 6.2 steals and 3.2 blocks per game while shooting 42.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 78.4 points per game. Mercury: 5-5, averaging 86.3 points, 34.8 rebounds, 22.5 assists, 7.4 steals and 3.3 blocks per game while shooting 44.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 83.7 points. INJURIES: Mystics: Georgia Amoore: out for season (acl). Mercury: None listed. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Miami Herald
16 hours ago
- Miami Herald
San Diego FC edge Nashville FC in heavyweight matchup
Hirving "Chucky" Lozano scored the decisive goal early in the second half as host San Diego FC notched a 1-0 victory over Nashville SC on Friday night. Anders Dreyer set up the tally to raise his MLS-leading assist total to 16 while helping San Diego FC maintain its hold on first place in the Western Conference. San Diego FC (14-7-4, 46 points) halted a three-match home winless stretch (0-2-1). The offense never got untracked for Nashville (14-6-5, 47 points), which remains tied for second in the Eastern Conference with the Philadelphia Union. The two clubs are one point behind East leader FC Cincinnati. Lozano's goal in the 53rd minute was a backbreaker for a Nashville squad that lost for just the second time over its past 16 MLS matches (10-2-4). Joe Willis kept Nashville in the match with glove saves in the 80th and 83rd minutes. First, Willis used his hand to knock a close-range right-footer by San Diego's Luca Bombino over the net. Dreyer then had a penalty kick in the 83th minute, and the San Diego star attempted a left-footed shot on a slow approach. Willis anticipated correctly by diving to his left and easily making the save. Dreyer appeared to score an open-net goal in the ninth and final minute of second-half stoppage time. However, the referee ruled he called the match over after San Diego FC cleared a last-gasp corner kick in which Nashville had Willis stationed in the line of players in front of the San Diego net. San Diego's Pablo Sisniega had four stops for his first shutout of the season. San Diego outshot Nashville 10-9 and both teams placed four on target. San Diego FC's goal included a contribution from all three of its All-Stars. Jeppe Tverskov delivered a pass up ahead to Dreyer, who tapped the ball with his left toward Lozano. The wide-open Lozano then drilled a right-footed shot into the net that also marked San Diego's first shot on target. Four minutes later, one of Nashville's three All-Stars had a strong opportunity. Sam Surridge was in position for a close-range header, but Nashville's first shot on target was gobbled up by Sisniega. Hany Mukhtar, another Nashville All-Star, took a right-footed shot from just outside the box in the 61st minute that Sisniega stopped. Andy Najar was Nashville's other All-Star in the game played Wednesday night. --Field Level Media Field Level Media 2025 - All Rights Reserved
