With four matches remaining in the 2018 MLS regular season, Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei is on pace to join elite company.
At his current rate, Frei would become just the fifth goalkeeper in MLS history to reach the 100/1.00/75% plateau (100 saves, 1.00 GAA, 75 percent save percentage) in a single season.
| NAME | YEAR | GP | SAVES | GAA | SV % |
| Kevin Hartman | 1999 | 32 | 118 | 0.91 | 78.7 |
| Tony Meola | 2000 | 31 | 129 | 0.94 | 79.6 |
| Pat Onstad | 2005 | 32 | 105 | 0.97 | 77.2 |
| Matt Reis | 2009 | 24 | 114 | 0.96 | 81.4 |
| Stefan Frei | 2018 | 29 | 100 | 1.00 | 76.3 |
Notably, the two goalkeepers who most recently came the closest to reaching this mark are Frei (2015) and Kasey Keller (2011). In 2015, Frei recorded 111 saves and led the league with a 1.06 GAA and 77.1 save percentage. Keller, in his last year of professional soccer, made 110 saves and posted a 1.09 GAA and 75.9 save percentage for the Rave Green.
“You start with Stef, and that’s obviously the starting point,” Head Coach Brian Schmetzer said of his defense. “I always say this and I’ll continue to say this, [Club Director of Goalkeeping] Tommy [Dutra] does a really nice job with all of the goalkeepers. Stef, Bryan [Meredith], Calle [Brown]. Tommy’s had [Kasey] Keller, [Marcus] Hahnemann. Tommy is the constant in that particular goalkeeping position. Stef is, in my opinion, not undervalued, but he might not have the national reputation that he deserves.”
Frei and the Sounders will look to continue the impressive defensive effort on Monday evening against Houston Dynamo at CenturyLink Field. (7:30 p.m. PT; JOEtv, YouTube, TV, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM | TICKETS).
