Swiss Goalkeeper Suffers Head Blow
In a shocking turn of events during a Major League Soccer game between the Seattle Sounders and the Columbus Crew on July 6, 2025, goalkeeper Stefan Frei sustained a severe head and neck injury. The incident occurred in the final moments of the match, specifically in the eighth minute of stoppage time.
The collision took place as Frei attempted to collect a floated-in free kick, resulting in a knee impact to his head from Columbus midfielder Amar Sejdić. The impact left Frei unconscious on the pitch, prompting an immediate medical response. He was treated on the field before being taken away in an ambulance that drove onto the field for further evaluation at a hospital.
Seattle Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer described the injury as severe enough to warrant hospital assessment, emphasizing the importance of careful medical treatment. Frei was reportedly alert and moving his fingers when loaded onto the ambulance, which was a positive sign in the early evaluation stage. Schmetzer, however, avoided speculating on the severity until more information was available.
Following the incident, Frei expressed gratitude to the medical staff and supporters, stating that he was now resting at home and thankful for the outpouring of concern. His teammates, including Cristian Roldan, highlighted Frei’s resilience and determination to recover, with Roldan noting the importance of patience and listening to the symptoms after such a head injury.
The collision caused both teams’ coaches to agree to end the match immediately due to the seriousness of the incident. Updates from the club and Frei’s social media confirmed he was resting at home post-hospital evaluation, but detailed information on the exact diagnosis or recovery timeline has not been disclosed yet.
Notably, Frei, aged 39, exited the Club World Cup following the incident. Teammates rushed to his side after the collision, while opponents looked visibly shocked following the incident. Frei, despite being unconscious, spoke up hours later through a social media post where he winked at his followers, expressing his gratitude to his team for taking care of him and his happiness to be home.
The Seattle Sounders, based in Washington, are a team in the Major League Soccer. The match between them and the Columbus Crew took place at home for the Seattle Sounders. As the soccer community awaits updates on Frei’s condition, the focus remains on his speedy recovery and return to the field.
The spectators and players of the Columbus Crew were taken aback during the Major League Soccer match, as Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei was injured while playing American football, not soccer, just a few days prior, a coincidental twist in events. Amar Sejdić, the Columbus midfielder, had accidentally collided with Frei during an American football game, resulting in injuries, preventable this time, unlike the soccer incident.
