Stefan Frei
Encyclopedia
Stefan Frei is a Swiss
footballer who currently plays for Toronto FC
in Major League Soccer
.
in Concord, California
, and played college soccer
at the University of California, Berkeley
. In 2008, he was named to the All-Pac-10 first team and the NSCAA Far West All-Region team, and was also named to Top Drawer Soccer's Team of the Season. During his college years, Frei also played with both San Francisco Seals and San Jose Frogs
in the USL Premier Development League
.
, signed a Generation Adidas
contract, and was drafted in the first round (13th overall) of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft
by Toronto FC
.
He made his professional debut on 21 March 2009, in Toronto's first game of the 2009 MLS season against Kansas City Wizards
, and soon established himself as the team's first choice goalkeeper. Shortly after Frei was named Toronto FC Esquire
Player of the Month for April 2009. Frei also won MLS
's Save of the Week for week 15 and then three times consecutively for week 24, 25 and 26 of the 2009 season
.
He played in 3 games of the 2009 Canadian Championship
going 3-0 and ultimately making key saves in the deciding game that ensured Toronto FC
would win by at least 4 goals on goal differential and their first trophy.
On 25 April 2010, Frei picked up his first clean sheet of the 2010 season
in a 2-0 home win versus the Seattle Sounders FC
. Frei had another standout season as Toronto's first choice keeper. He finished the season with a 1.32 goals against average and a 70% save percentage, he improved all statistics from his rookie season. It was announced on 18 November 2010 that Frei would graduate from the MLS Generation Adidas
program at the end of the 2010 season.
January 2011 after the hire of Aron Winter
as the clubs new coach stated in an interview that Julian De Guzman
, Dwayne De Rosario
and Stefan would be the key players of the upcoming season and was impressed with Frei's abilities. Frei recorded his first clean sheet of the 2011 season in the second game of the year in a 2-0 home victory over Portland Timbers
on March 26. Frei also earned his third assist since playing with Toronto setting up the second goal for Javier Martina
, it was later awarded the Goal of the Week in MLS. Following the departure of Toronto captain Dwayne De Rosario in early April, Coach Winter named Maicon Santos as the replacement captain while Frei would be come vice captain. On April 13 against Los Angeles Galaxy
Frei wore the captain's armband for the first time with Toronto due to an injury to Santos, the game ended in a 0-0 home draw.
program, Frei has said he is committed to the Swiss national team
if called up in the future.
.
Last updated on September 24, 2011
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
footballer who currently plays for Toronto FC
Toronto FC
Toronto FC is a Canadian professional soccer club based in Toronto, Ontario which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada....
in Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
.
Youth and college
Frei moved from Switzerland to the United States in the late 1990s, attended De La Salle High SchoolDe La Salle High School (Concord, California)
De La Salle High School is a Roman Catholic Private school for boys in Concord, California, United States. Located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Oakland, the school was founded in 1965 as a Lasallian institution. De La Salle currently enrolls just over 1,000 students, and roughly 99% of each...
in Concord, California
Concord, California
Concord is the largest city in Contra Costa County, California, USA. At the 2010 census, the city had a population of 122,067. Originally founded in 1869 as the community of Todos Santos by Salvio Pacheco, the name was changed to Concord within months...
, and played college soccer
College soccer
College soccer is a term used to describe association football played by teams who are operated by colleges and universities as opposed to a professional league operated for exclusively financial purposes...
at the University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
. In 2008, he was named to the All-Pac-10 first team and the NSCAA Far West All-Region team, and was also named to Top Drawer Soccer's Team of the Season. During his college years, Frei also played with both San Francisco Seals and San Jose Frogs
San Jose Frogs
San Jose Frogs was an American soccer team based in San Jose, California, United States. Founded in 2005, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2008, when the franchise folded and the team left the league.The team played its...
in the USL Premier Development League
USL Premier Development League
The USL Premier Development League is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid...
.
Professional
Frei was named MVP at the 2009 MLS Player Combine in Fort Lauderdale, FloridaFort Lauderdale, Florida
Fort Lauderdale is a city in the U.S. state of Florida, on the Atlantic coast. It is the county seat of Broward County. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 165,521. It is a principal city of the South Florida metropolitan area, which was home to 5,564,635 people at the 2010...
, signed a Generation Adidas
Generation adidas
Generation adidas is a joint venture between Major League Soccer and U.S. Soccer aimed at raising the level of young soccer talent in the United States. The program, sponsored by adidas, encourages early entry of American players into MLS...
contract, and was drafted in the first round (13th overall) of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft
2009 MLS SuperDraft
The 2009 MLS SuperDraft took place on January 15, 2009 in St. Louis, Missouri. It was the tenth annual Major League Soccer SuperDraft. The first selection was owned by the expansion Seattle Sounders FC...
by Toronto FC
Toronto FC
Toronto FC is a Canadian professional soccer club based in Toronto, Ontario which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada....
.
He made his professional debut on 21 March 2009, in Toronto's first game of the 2009 MLS season against Kansas City Wizards
Kansas City Wizards
Sporting Kansas City is an American professional soccer club based in Kansas City, Kansas that competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada...
, and soon established himself as the team's first choice goalkeeper. Shortly after Frei was named Toronto FC Esquire
Esquire (magazine)
Esquire is a men's magazine, published in the U.S. by the Hearst Corporation. Founded in 1932, it flourished during the Great Depression under the guidance of founder and editor Arnold Gingrich.-History:...
Player of the Month for April 2009. Frei also won MLS
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
's Save of the Week for week 15 and then three times consecutively for week 24, 25 and 26 of the 2009 season
2009 Major League Soccer season
The 2009 Major League Soccer season was the 14th season of Major League Soccer. The season began on March 19 and ended with Real Salt Lake winning the MLS Cup 2009, on November 22 at Qwest Field in Seattle, Washington-Changes from the 2008 season:...
.
He played in 3 games of the 2009 Canadian Championship
2009 Canadian Championship
The 2009 Canadian Championship was a soccer tournament hosted and organized by the Canadian Soccer Association that took place in the cities of Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver in 2009...
going 3-0 and ultimately making key saves in the deciding game that ensured Toronto FC
Toronto FC
Toronto FC is a Canadian professional soccer club based in Toronto, Ontario which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada....
would win by at least 4 goals on goal differential and their first trophy.
On 25 April 2010, Frei picked up his first clean sheet of the 2010 season
2010 Toronto FC season
The 2010 MLS season was the fourth season in Toronto FC's existence. The club was looking to make the playoffs for the first time in their history and ultimately fell short...
in a 2-0 home win versus the Seattle Sounders FC
Seattle Sounders FC
Seattle Sounders FC is an American professional soccer club based in Seattle, Washington. The club competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Sounders FC was established in November 2007 as a MLS expansion team, making it the 15th team in...
. Frei had another standout season as Toronto's first choice keeper. He finished the season with a 1.32 goals against average and a 70% save percentage, he improved all statistics from his rookie season. It was announced on 18 November 2010 that Frei would graduate from the MLS Generation Adidas
Generation adidas
Generation adidas is a joint venture between Major League Soccer and U.S. Soccer aimed at raising the level of young soccer talent in the United States. The program, sponsored by adidas, encourages early entry of American players into MLS...
program at the end of the 2010 season.
January 2011 after the hire of Aron Winter
Aron Winter
Aron Mohamed Winter [VIN-ter] is a retired Dutch football midfielder and current head coach of Toronto FC...
as the clubs new coach stated in an interview that Julian De Guzman
Julian de Guzmán
Julian de Guzman is a Canadian soccer player who currently plays for Toronto FC in Major League Soccer.Previously, he played for Deportivo de La Coruña, and was the first Canadian to play in the Spanish La Liga...
, Dwayne De Rosario
Dwayne De Rosario
Dwayne Anthony De Rosario is a Canadian soccer player who currently plays for D.C. United in Major League Soccer. He also plays for the Canadian national team.-Early career:...
and Stefan would be the key players of the upcoming season and was impressed with Frei's abilities. Frei recorded his first clean sheet of the 2011 season in the second game of the year in a 2-0 home victory over Portland Timbers
Portland Timbers
Portland Timbers may refer to any of four distinct professional soccer teams:*Portland Timbers, a Major League Soccer expansion team that began playing in 2011....
on March 26. Frei also earned his third assist since playing with Toronto setting up the second goal for Javier Martina
Javier Martina
Javier Sylvester Martina is a Curaçaoan-Dutch footballer who last played for Toronto FC in Major League Soccer. He also plays for the Curaçao national soccer team.-Netherlands:...
, it was later awarded the Goal of the Week in MLS. Following the departure of Toronto captain Dwayne De Rosario in early April, Coach Winter named Maicon Santos as the replacement captain while Frei would be come vice captain. On April 13 against Los Angeles Galaxy
Los Angeles Galaxy
The Los Angeles Galaxy are an American professional soccer team, based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California, which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, and the league's second...
Frei wore the captain's armband for the first time with Toronto due to an injury to Santos, the game ended in a 0-0 home draw.
International
Frei was a member of the Swiss U-15 National team. Despite interest from the U.S. national teamUnited States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
program, Frei has said he is committed to the Swiss national team
Switzerland national football team
The Swiss national football team is the national football team of Switzerland...
if called up in the future.
Personal life
Stefan is second-cousin to the recently retired captain of, and all-time leading scorer for, the Swiss national football team, Alexander Frei, an accomplished striker twice voted Swiss player of the year, who currently plays for Axpo Super League club FC BaselFC Basel
Fussball Club Basel 1893, widely known as FC Basel is a Swiss football club based in Basel. They are one of the most successful clubs in Swiss football, having won the Swiss Super League 14 times, the third most for any Swiss club. They were most successful in the late 1960s and 1970s, winning the...
.
Toronto FC
- Canadian ChampionshipCanadian ChampionshipThe Canadian Championship—known as the Nutrilite Canadian Championship for sponsorship reasons—is an annual soccer tournament contested by premier Canadian professional teams...
(3): 20092009 Canadian ChampionshipThe 2009 Canadian Championship was a soccer tournament hosted and organized by the Canadian Soccer Association that took place in the cities of Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver in 2009...
, 20102010 Canadian ChampionshipThe 2010 Canadian Championship was a soccer tournament hosted and organized by the Canadian Soccer Association that took place in the cities of Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver in 2010...
, 20112011 Canadian ChampionshipThe 2011 Canadian Championship was a soccer tournament hosted and organized by the Canadian Soccer Association that took place in the cities of Edmonton, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver in 2011. As in previous tournaments, participating teams included the Montreal Impact, Toronto FC and Vancouver...
Club Statistics
| Club | Nat | Season | League | League | Playoff | Domestic Cup | Continental | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||||
| Toronto FC Toronto FC Toronto FC is a Canadian professional soccer club based in Toronto, Ontario which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada.... |
 Canada |
2009 2009 Major League Soccer season The 2009 Major League Soccer season was the 14th season of Major League Soccer. The season began on March 19 and ended with Real Salt Lake winning the MLS Cup 2009, on November 22 at Qwest Field in Seattle, Washington-Changes from the 2008 season:... |
MLS Major League Soccer Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada... |
26 | 0 | - | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 31 | 0 | |
| 2010 2010 Major League Soccer season The 2010 Major League Soccer season was the 98th season of FIFA-sanctioned soccer, the 32nd with a national first-division league, in the United States and Canada, and the 15th in MLS history. It began on March 25 at Seattle's Qwest Field with Seattle Sounders FC defeating the expansion... |
28 | 0 | - | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 33 | 0 | ||||
| 2011 2011 Major League Soccer season The 2011 Major League Soccer season was the 99th season of FIFA-sanctioned soccer, the 33rd with a national first-division league, in the United States and Canada, and the 16th season of Major League Soccer. The season marked the arrival of two new league clubs, Portland Timbers and Vancouver... |
27 | 0 | - | 4 | 0 | - | 31 | 0 | |||||
| Career total | 81 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 95 | 0 | |||
Last updated on September 24, 2011