CARSON, Calif. — Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei made such an impression on Bruce Arena that the United States national team head coach called him into January camp along with teammates Jordan Morris, Brad Evans and Chad Marshall.
Frei, 30, has had no prior international experience either for the U.S. or his native Switzerland, from which he emigrated in 2001. In Arena’s first U.S. training on Wednesday outside StubHub Center, he made it perfectly clear why he wanted Frei.
“From what I saw in the MLS Playoffs,” Arena said, “I’d say [Frei’s play] has been pretty damn good.