The goalkeeper of the Seattle Sounders is none other than Stefan Frei. Frei is 29 years old and was born in Altstaetten, Switzerland. He was born on April 20, 1986 and his name is pronounced “STEF-in FRY.” The Swiss player weighs in at 195 pounds and stands at 6’3. He plays #24 for the team. Frei says that if he had to face off anyone on the field, it would be Edwin van der Saar.

Frei has spent his entire professional career playing in Major League Soccer. Frei first came to the Sounders through a trade with the Toronto FC team, which occurred on December 10, 2013. The trade was for a 2015 conditional first round SuperDraft pick.

During the regular seasons of his career, Frei has played 13,025 minutes on the field. Of these minutes, he has scored 146 goals in 146 games, making him a very consistent key player. In the post-season with the Seattle Sounders FC, he has scored four goals in the four games he has played, totaling 360 minutes on the field during these games.

Internationally, Frei has played for Switzerland U15. Prior to his experience with Toronto FC from 2009 to 2013, Frei played for the San Jose Frogs from 2007 to 2008. Before that, he was with the San Francisco Seals in 2006. In his youth career, Frei played for the California Golden Bears from 2006 to 2008. During the 2011-2012 CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals, he suffered an injury while training. Due to his broken fibula, he was required to undergo surgery before being allowed on the field again. The injury and subsequent treatments to his ligament resulted in a year of recovery time for Frei.

Frei is the recipient of numerous awards and honors. Some of these include 2014 MLS Supporter’s Shield, 2014 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, four years of Canadian Championship in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012, and MVP at the 2009 MLS Player Combine.

The son of Marlies and Erwi, Frei was the 2005 Athlete of the Year at his high school, De La Salle High School. He has one brother named Michael and his childhood hero is German Keeper Oliver Kahn. In addition to soccer, he also enjoys basketball and speaks German. When asked about his favorite vacation spot of all time, he says it’s the Maldives. He has a U.S. Green Card. Fans of Frei can follow him on Twitter.

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia