Supporters gift Stefan Frei special banner in memory of Frei's dog, Nala

Head Coach Brian Schmetzer says it often: "The club is the special relationship between the players and the fans."

This was once again proven true on Saturday evening, when supporters gifted Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei with a banner in honor of his dog, Nala, who died on June 5 after a month-long battle with renal failure. Nala, a five-year-old Shar Pei, was beloved in the Sounders community through Frei's #WrinkleWednesday posts on social media, alongside Frei's other Shar Pei, Cloi.