Stefan Frei was a somewhat conspicuous absence from the Seattle Sounders’ second preseason game on Saturday, a 3-0 win over Swedish side Brommapojkarna. It was quickly revealed why: Frei has returned to the Seattle area after the passing of his mother Marlies. Frei will apparently rejoin the Sounders after they return from Spain on Feb. 8.
The Sounders released a statement in which they said "Our club stands in compassion and solace with the Frei Family during this difficult time."
Sending our love to Stefan Frei and his family 💚
— Sounders FC (@soundersfc.com) 2026-01-31T20:00:55.269Z
The cause of death was not revealed, but it was called "unexpected." Marlies had been diagnosed with lung cancer that spread to her brain and then required emergency surgery in 2022. Although the brain cancer had been successfully removed and she was taking pills to treat it, as of 2023 she was not considered to be in remission.
