Throughout the 2017 Major League Soccer campaign, Sounders Head Coach Brian Schmetzer has repeatedly emphasized a “next man up” mentality. It carried the club through injuries, international breaks and suspensions, and it is a key reason why the Rave Green finished second in the Western Conference with a subsequent deep run in the MLS Cup Playoffs.
It was undoubtedly most evident on Tuesday evening when reigning MLS Cup MVP and 2017 MLS All Star Stefan Frei was held out due to a right hamstring injury sustained on Sunday at training.
The third-year goalkeeper had filled in for Frei just once in MLS play this season and was called upon to anchor the Sounders on the road .