TUKWILA, Wash. — When the Seattle Sounders defeated the LA Galaxy 3-0 last week, goalkeeper Stefan Frei reached a club milestone. He earned his 50th win as a Sounder.
Frei is already the winningest goalie in the Sounders’ MLS history despite being in just his fourth season in Seattle. He credits club director of goalkeeping Tom Dutra for his development and continued success as well as his ability to stay healthy these past four years, especially after battling injuries while with Toronto FC in 2012 and ’13.
“Wins is what you play for, we’re in a results-based business,” said Frei. “It sucks when you lose. The food sucks, you’re probably grumpy, your wife probably doesn’t like you anymore, your dogs can sense it. You want to win. Not just for it to be a stat, but it’s a way of life.”
Frei joked that legendary Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has three or four times as many career shutouts as Frei has wins and that puts his mark into perspective, but he wants to continue to perform and grind out results.
“I know I’m not going to get to [Buffon’s] level, but I want to keep going for a little longer,” said Frei. “I hope there’s many more.”
