Seattle Sounders: When Will Stefan Frei Return to Action?
By Paul Taylor
The Seattle Sounders have confirmed Stefan Frei will be out for a while, but will the 2016 MLS Cup MVP be back in time for the start of the regular season?
Clint Dempsey understandably got most of the attention on Tuesday, when the Seattle Sounders returned to preseason training at Starfire Sports in Tukwila. After all, the forward took part in his first full practice session since being diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat last August.
However, there was an arguably more important storyline also developing at the same time. As reported by Matt Pentz of The Seattle Times, Stefan Frei will be out for a while, after suffering an ankle injury on duty with the U.S. Men’s national team.
Of course “out for a while” is a very ambiguous term to describe Frei’s injury. While these things aren’t always possible, can’t the Sounders provide some indication of a timeline for the goalkeeper’s return?
In that respect, what we do know is the 30-year old is going to be out for multiple weeks. He will make the trips to Tucson and Charleston along with the rest of the team, but the injury is serious enough that he will miss most — if not all — of the preseason.
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Further, Frei’s status for the regular season opener on March 4th in Houston is also in question. However, as with Dempsey, the Sounders would rather take a cautious approach with their players.
In truth, this mindset is to be commended, especially in today’s high pressure, results-driven sporting market. It also makes sense, with last year proving that the regular season is a marathon and not a sprint.
Speaking to Pentz and the rest of the media, Sounders’ general manager and president Garth Lagerwey said: “To some degree, there’s no reason to rush them back. We want them to be healthy and to be able to stay in the lineup once they (return).”
Lagerwey went on to add: “What we have to be mindful of is we just played a nearly 11-month season, and for some of these veteran guys who played a lot of games, to some degree there is no reason to rush them back.”
From Frei’s point of view, he’s taking a philosophical approach to the injury. Speaking to soundersfc.com and the rest of the media, he said: “I’m very happy it’s not serious.
“I’ve always been a glass-half-full kind of person. It’s a typical turf injury that could have been very, very nasty.”
During Frei’s absence, his place will be taken by Tyler Miller, who Lagerwey and the rest of the staff have a lot of confidence in. However, the sooner the Sounders can get the 2016 MLS Cup MVP back between the posts, the better.
Next: Don't Get too Excited About Clint Dempsey Just Yet
Even though it’s apparently not a serious injury, are you concerned about Frei potentially missing the beginning of the season? Assuming he is out to start the campaign, how long can the Sounders realistically afford to play without him? Share your thoughts in the comments section.