logo
Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei taken off in ambulance after collision, head injury vs. Columbus

Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei taken off in ambulance after collision, head injury vs. Columbus

Yahoo07-07-2025
Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei is being evaluated for a head and neck injury after being taken off the field in an ambulance following a scary collision. The incident took place late in stoppage time in the Sounders' 1-1 draw with the Columbus Crew on Sunday.
In the 97th minute of the match, Columbus was awarded a free kick outside the box. But during the set piece, Frei was hit in the head with a Columbus player's knee. The keeper instantly went down, with his Sounders teammates quickly calling over the medical staff.
Advertisement
After the collision, Frei appeared to go into a fencing response — a position taken by the body in reaction to head trauma or a concussion — indicating that the head injury may be severe.
Both teams gathered near Frei in the box before the ambulance was driven on the field. The Sounders crowd began to cheer Frei's name as he was loaded into the ambulance.
After the game, Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer told reporters that Frei was being evaluated for a head and neck injury, though he was "alert" when he was being loaded into the ambulance.
"As soon as we get a definitive, a real, good clarity on the extent of the injury, we'll give you more. I don't want to speculate. He is going to the hospital, but he is fine," Schmetzer said. "I'm very happy for our medical staff because they did a good job to be careful. We can't underestimate that type of stuff."
Despite the collision occurring so close to the end of the game, the game clock continued to tick for another five minutes before it was finally called off. Schmetzer could be heard asking officials to "just stop the game," with Columbus coach Wilfried Nancy agreeing, before the referees blew the final whistle in the 103rd minute.
Advertisement
The Crew were awarded a corner kick prior to Frei going down, meaning that the kick would have likely been the final play of the game.
Postgame, Schmetzer began to tear up while thanking Nancy for agreeing to end the game.
"Wilfried, I appreciate what he did," Schmetzer said, visibly emotional. "Because the ref wasn't gonna stop the game. And everybody knew the game should have been stopped. So, good on him. So thank you Wilfried."
After the game, both MLS and the Crew shared their thoughts are with the keeper.
Frei, 39, has been a staple of the Sounders in goal since joining the team in 2014. The Swiss keeper has led Seattle to two MLS Cups and the CONCACAF Champions League championship while earning an All-Star nod and the 2016 MLS Cup MVP.
Sunday's game was supposed to be a highly-anticipated rematch of the 2020 MLS Cup, and for a while it lived up to the hype. Columbus striker Diego Rossi struck first in the 27th minute before Sounders forward Paul Rothrock equalized off a perfect pass from Kalani Kossa-Rienzi. Both sides picked up plenty of chances to pull ahead up until the final minutes before the game came to a sobering end.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

UNC football flips safety from Ohio State
UNC football flips safety from Ohio State

Yahoo

time11 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

UNC football flips safety from Ohio State

The North Carolina Tar Heels continue to get good news regarding the 2026 football recruiting class, with still a long way to go in the cycle. On Wednesday, North Carolina received some surprising yet good news. Four-star safety Jakob Weatherspoon told Rivals that he is flipping his commitment from Ohio State to North Carolina, giving the Tar Heels another big recruit for the class. The move comes a few days after UNC landed a commitment from linebacker Calvin Thomas and then on Wednesday, they received news that Travis Burgess was the biggest mover in the updated 247Sports recruiting rankings. The Ohio native committed to Ohio State early in 2025, but despite that, UNC kept the pressure on. Now, with the Buckeyes projected to land a top safety, Weatherspoon has opted to flip to North Carolina and Belichick. The 5-foot-10, 170-pound Weatherspoon is ranked No. 178 nationally, No. 14 safety, and the No. 9 player in the state of Ohio per the 247Sports composite rankings. He had a total of 22 offers in his recruitment. He joins a UNC class that is now ranked No. 17 nationally with 33 commitments so far. Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions. This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC football flips safety Jakob Weatherspoon from Ohio State

Eagles Racing Clock After Sauce Gardner Sets Cornerback Contract Market
Eagles Racing Clock After Sauce Gardner Sets Cornerback Contract Market

Yahoo

time11 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Eagles Racing Clock After Sauce Gardner Sets Cornerback Contract Market

Eagles Racing Clock After Sauce Gardner Sets Cornerback Contract Market originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The cornerback market just exploded. The New York Jets signed Sauce Gardner to a four-year, $120.4 million extension with $85.653 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history. The deal surpasses Derek Stingley Jr.'s $30 million annual average and resets the entire market at the position. For the Philadelphia Eagles, fresh off their Super Bowl victory, this creates both opportunity and urgency. The Eagles struck gold with their first two picks last season — cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, both Defensive Rookie of the Year finalists. DeJean didn't allow a single touchdown on 68 targets and delivered an iconic Super Bowl pick-six off Patrick Mahomes, while Mitchell locked down receivers all season. With both players on rookie contracts through 2027, the Eagles have a narrow window before facing extension decisions that could rival Gardner's massive deal. But here's where Howie Roseman's magic comes into play. Roseman has mastered the art of salary cap manipulation — converting base salaries into signing bonuses and using void years to spread commitments across future seasons. The results speak for themselves: Saquon Barkley's 2025 cap hit is just $6.66 million despite his deal averaging more than $20 million per year, while Zack Baun counts only $4.39 million against a $17 million annual deal. This aggressive restructuring works because the salary cap keeps rising — from $182.5 million in 2021 to $255.4 million in 2024. Roseman essentially takes interest-free loans against future cap increases, a strategy many conservative owners won't embrace but Jeffrey Lurie fully supports. The Eagles have already made strategic moves for flexibility, releasing veteran Darius Slay to save $4.3 million in 2025 and $17.8 million in 2026. Sitting on $30.8 million in cap space with their core consuming just 44% of the cap, Philadelphia still has room to maneuver. Gardner's deal creates fascinating dynamics for the Eagles. Outside corners command significantly more money than slot players — only two of the NFL's 20 highest-paid corners primarily play nickel. This benefits DeJean, who's being evaluated at outside corner during OTAs, potentially boosting his market value alongside his natural slot role. The Eagles have nearly $400 million in salary cap dollars pushed into void years across their roster, underscoring their all-in approach. While this creates future obligations, it maximizes their current championship window — a strategy validated by their recent Super Bowl triumph. The timing decision looms large. Extending Mitchell and DeJean before 2026 would secure them ahead of free agency but likely at current market rates. With Gardner resetting the market at $30 million per year, waiting could prove costly. However, if anyone can navigate these financial waters while keeping a championship roster together, it's Roseman. The question isn't whether the Eagles can afford to pay their star cornerbacks — it's whether they can afford not to. With the market now established at historic levels, Philadelphia's window to secure its young core at manageable rates is closing fast. But with Roseman's proven track record and Lurie's willingness to spend, Eagles fans have every reason to believe their defensive foundation will remain intact. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 16, 2025, where it first appeared.

Oakmont bans Clark after US Open locker room incident: reports
Oakmont bans Clark after US Open locker room incident: reports

Yahoo

time11 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Oakmont bans Clark after US Open locker room incident: reports

Oakmont Country Club has banned 2023 US Open champion Wyndham Clark from the property after the American caused damage in the locker room at last month's US Open there. A letter from club president John Lynch to club members this week that revealed the punishment was obtained by Golf Digest, ESPN and Golf Channel. Clark damaged his locker after missing the cut at last month's US Open in the Pittsburgh suburbs, later apologizing for the incident, the results of which were shown in photos on social media. "Following multiple discussions with the USGA (US Golf Association) and the OCC (Oakmont Country Club) Board, a decision has been made that Mr. Clark will no longer be permitted on OCC property," Lynch wrote. "This decision will remain in effect unless formally reconsidered and approved by the board. Reinstatement would be contingent upon Mr. Clark fulfilling a number of specific conditions." Those requirements include a full repayment for damages, a "meaningful contribution" to a charity of the board's choice and completion of counseling and/or anger management sessions. Clark apologized a few days later at the PGA Travelers Championship and said he made a mistake in a moment of rage, calling the incident a wake-up call. At the PGA Championship in May, the 31-year-old damaged a tee sign when he tossed a club. Clark, 28th in world rankings, has managed only one top-10 result in 19 starts this year, a share of fifth place at April's Houston Open. Oakmont is set to host the US Open again in 2033. js/mlm

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store