There was a moment during last night’s MLS Cup final when Jozy Altidore thought he’d set Toronto FC on course for the biggest trophy in their history.
But Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei had other ideas.
Swiss keeper Frei, who joined the Sounders from Toronto in 2014, was named MVP after helping his team to a penalty shootout victory following a goalless draw at BMO Field.
But it was this stop from Altidore, involving ridiculous agility and recovery speed, was the pick of the bunch.
Stefan Frei with a save of life on Altidore to keep MLS Cup Final goalless #TFClive pic.twitter.com/tKqK4puCuD
— Faizal Khamisa (@FaizalKhamisa) December 11, 2016
Toronto had 19 shots on goal to Seattle’s three, and the lower-ranked side failed to force a single save from Clint Irwin in the opposite goal.
Frei saved from Michael Bradley in the shootout while Irwin kept out Álvaro Fernández’s effort, before Roman Torres won it for Seattle after Justin Morrow fired his spot-kick against the bar.
It’s our time!
Your Seattle Sounders are the 2016 @MLS Cup Champions! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/bWbPFt6do3
— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) December 11, 2016
But after the game, the name on everyone’s lips was that of Frei.
Your 2016 #MLSCup MVP: @Stefan24Frei! pic.twitter.com/d8og8AP7hF
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) December 11, 2016
7 – @SoundersFC's @Stefan24Frei finished tonight one save shy of the @MLS Cup record for most saves (excluding shoot-outs). Hero. #MLSCup
— OptaJack⚽️ (@OptaJack) December 11, 2016
https://twitter.com/_Zeets/status/807792790469914624
https://twitter.com/stuholden/status/807791405795946496
Someone erect a fucking statue of Stefan Frei before the Sounders return.
— Kvrsten Schleguissa (@kdschlewitz) December 11, 2016
Stefan Frei just made the save of his life to deny Jozy Altidore
— SB Nation Soccer (@SBNationSoccer) December 11, 2016
And the 30-year-old was brilliantly casual about it all after the game.
— Stefan Frei (@Stefan24Frei) December 11, 2016
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