Stefan Frei made his big save against Real Salt Lake. (Photo courtesy of Seattle Sounders FC)

Major League Soccer Tuesday announced Seattle Sounders FC goalkeeper Stefan Frei has claimed the league’s save of the year.

Frei was honored for his save in Sounders FC’s match against Real Salt Lake on Sept. 18.

In the 57th minute at Rio Tinto Stadium, from a pass across the penalty area from the left, Frei stoned the resulting close-range effort by Albert Rusnák with a difficult kick save to keep it out of the net ( WATCH SAVE HERE). Frei ended the season allowing less than a goal per game in his 17 league appearances (0.94 goals-against average), recording four shutouts.

The save of the year was determined by fan votes on MLSsoccer.com. The award was established in 2009.

All-time MLS Save of the Year winners:
2021: Stefan Frei – Seattle Sounders FC | 9/18/21 vs. Real Salt Lake, 57th minute
2020: Eloy Room – Columbus Crew SC | 11/4/20 vs. Orlando City SC, 30th minute
2019: Nick Rimando – Real Salt Lake | 8/24/19 vs. Colorado Rapids, 27th minute
2018: Stefan Frei – Seattle Sounders FC | 7/4/18 vs. Colorado Rapids, 82nd minute
2017: Brad Guzan – Atlanta United | 10/15/17 vs. New York Red Bulls, 65th minute
2016: Joe Bendik – Orlando City SC | 5/15/16 vs. Sporting Kansas City, 45th minute
2015: Adam Kwarasey – Portland Timbers | 8/15/15 vs. Real Salt Lake, 31st minute
2014: Luis Robles – New York Red Bulls | 9/20/14 vs. Seattle Sounders FC, 69th minute
2013: Nick Rimando – Real Salt Lake | 8/3/13 vs. Colorado Rapids, 53rd minute
2012: Nick Rimando – Real Salt Lake | 4/14/12 vs. Sporting Kansas City, 75th minute
2011: Kasey Keller – Seattle Sounders FC | 10/15/11 vs. San Jose Earthquakes, 64th minute
2010: Kasey Keller – Seattle Sounders FC | 4/17/10 vs. Kansas City Wizards, 92+ minute
2009: Pat Onstad – Houston Dynamo | 4/19/09 vs. Colorado Rapids, 83rd minute

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.