Stefan Frei relishing Toronto reunion ahead of 'do-or-die' MLS Cup final
Among the many who have once called BMO Field home, none are more fondly remembered, perhaps, than goalkeeper Stefan Frei.
Drafted 13th by Toronto FC in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft, Frei went on to make 99 appearances for the Reds over the course of five years. Traded in 2013 to the Seattle Sounders, Frei has now played more matches for the Rave Green but remains among Toronto FC's first batch of iconic figures.
It's why, as his teammates shivered in the December cold of the Great White North, Frei hardly noticed.
"I've been here during worse in terms of weather," Frei joked as he caught up with theScore after training on Thursday.
It's a reunion played on the biggest possible stage for Frei, whose career may have started with Toronto but could be defined with Seattle at BMO Field after the MLS Cup final on Saturday night.
Frei has squared off against his old team a couple times in the past few years but this will be just his second time walking through the tunnels of his old stomping grounds, having returned earlier in the 2016 season for the first time.
"You know, man, it's as big of an occasion as it gets in terms of it being an MLS Cup final so that takes precedent over anything else, but at the same time, I'm glad I had a chance to visit BMO Field," Frei told theScore, when asked how he felt about this reunion match.
Things have certainly changed for Toronto since Frei departed; the club is now anchored by three star Designated Players, and stability in management has seen the Reds grow into the prime contender in the Eastern Conference.
This will be Frei's - and the Sounders' - first MLS Cup appearance, and while it may feel slightly familiar, he says things have changed quite a bit in Toronto.
"Earlier this year was my first time coming back and I think it was June or July so it was good to see just the new surroundings," Frei remarked.
"I mean, if I look at the team itself, I don't know too many guys on the team left. I have old guys like Danny Dichio that I remember, and Ashtone Morgan, and (Jonathan) Osorio, and that's about it on the team side.
"But, I met a lot of good people, with the fans, you know, Red Patch Boys in particular. They stuck through TFC through thick and thin so I wish them all the best. I wanted the team to do well for them.
"Obviously, for me in my situation now, I would have loved to host the MLS Cup in Seattle, for our fans. It's easier to stay at home, being with your family and sleeping in your bed, all those things. But it is what it is and we're excited that we get the opportunity to be in the final, first and foremost.
"It'll be a do-or-die game and with two good sides, it should be a fun game."