Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei suffered a worrying head injury during Sunday's Major League Soccer clash against the Columbus Crew, resulting in an early end to the match and Frei being rushed to hospital.
Frei's Injury Halts Thrilling Draw
The match, which ended in a 1-1 draw, saw Diego Rossi give the Crew the lead before Paul Rothrock equalised for the Sounders. However, the result was overshadowed by a dramatic incident in the final moments. Frei collided with a Crew player, sustaining a significant head injury that required immediate medical attention.
Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer confirmed that Frei was alert when being transported to the hospital but is undergoing thorough evaluation for head and neck injuries. The team is awaiting further details on the severity of the injury. "Stefan is being evaluated for a head and neck injury," Schmetzer said. "He got hit pretty hard. We're in the early stages of that evaluation."
Team Awaits Clarity on Frei's Condition
Schmetzer praised the medical staff for their swift and careful response. He added, "He was alert when he was loaded onto the ambulance... I'm very happy for our medical staff because they did a good job to be careful." The team is expected to provide further updates once they have a clearer understanding of Frei's condition.
The incident cast a shadow over what was otherwise an entertaining match. The Seattle Sounders and their fans will be hoping for a swift recovery for their experienced goalkeeper.
- Match Result: Seattle Sounders 1 - Columbus Crew 1
- Key Incident: Stefan Frei head injury
- Status: Frei undergoing evaluation in hospital