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Realio rating: 6.51 in 35 games

Community rating: 6.73

MLS App 27, Rating 6.30; CCL App 8, Rating 7.25; MOTM 8

2022 recap: Frei returned to being an excellent goalkeeper in 2022, even though the team failed to make the playoffs. His stats suffered a lot from what he was used to as a Sounder – his own goals were almost half a goal per game too much. He made 65 more shots than last year, but also had a higher field goal percentage. The defense conceded seven penalties. Through it all, Stefan was his usual self, showing zero signs of age as he made great saves, managed the game well from the back, and stepped up massively to win eight MOTM awards as a team leader. One of them was against Club León in Mexico, as Frei was at his best in the Concacaf Champions League, getting head over heels in goal and refusing to let go. With 26 shots on goal, Stefan made seven saves and didn’t concede the equalizing goal until the 91st minute. He followed up facing 25 shots, making another Seven sometimes acrobatic saves against NYCFC in the away leg to earn another crucial draw and send Seattle to the final. Not to be outdone, he finished with a stellar third showing in the CCL final, earning a clean sheet as Seattle won a major trophy. The MLS game was a difficult one for Frei, as he boxed incredible efforts from the CCL around an awful ‘3’ rating in the loss to San Jose, where Stefan netted the ball behind him four times. Frei’s botched saves yielded a 2-0 and 3-1 that turned a walkover into a contest, and the Earthquakes were happy to take Stefan’s gift and turn it into a 4-3 victory. average came against Los Angeles Galaxy, as he misplaced his foot when conceding an unnecessary own goal. These gaffes by Frei are rare, but apparently present every year.

From now on: Winning eight MOTM awards as a goalkeeper is a lot; however, it demonstrates how much opportunity Frei had to make striking plays. This is the opposite of what Seattle wanted as a team, and in 2023 they will need to figure out how to lessen their reliance on Stef to carry the defense. As good as it is, the Sounders didn’t win enough goals with Frei in goal, instead keeping games low on goals and allowing attacking chances to gain points. A stronger midfield core that controls possession could easily transform this defense into an all-dominant defense capable of competing with the best in the league, as the goals against Seattle this year were often correctable defensive lapses. Frei shows no signs of slowing down and although he has missed a few games throughout his career due to injuries, he is still more mobile than ever and his shooting stoppage and positioning look close to his best record. With a long and busy schedule ahead of them, Seattle will likely start Frei as much as possible, but giving him periodic rest could help him and the team perform better later in the season.

Realio rating: 6.76 in 34 matches

Community rating: 6.57

MLS App 26, Rating 6.46; CCL App 8, Rating 7.75; MOTM 6

2022 recap: Cristian Roldan was arguably the team’s MVP in 2022. Although hampered by international duties and being injury-free throughout the season, he still managed 34 appearances and the second-highest cumulative rating for the Sounders. He started magnificently, scoring the highest by any Seattle player with a massive 7.75 rating in all appearances in all eight CCL matches. He led the entire tournament with five assists and added a goal for good measure. Roldan provided three assists as Seattle beat Club León, then NYCFC, 6-1 in the first two legs in Lumen, putting the Sounders in prime position to reach the final. He ensured that Seattle would host the final match of the tournament on equal footing after earning the Sounders an equalizing penalty 9 minutes into extra time in brutal conditions away to the Pumas. An almost tireless workhorse who played at right back for most of the season, Roldan has fitted in well as a striker and creator. He gained offensive stats similar to previous seasons (4 goals, 5 assists, 30 key passes); however, as he played more games as a wide forward, this was a somewhat disappointing departure. He sometimes displayed a telepathic match with his brother Alex on the wing and his friend Jordan on the opposite side, connecting frequently throughout the season. One thing I liked about the 3-1 win against Minnesota in May: “The second half buff was real. Starting with a direct run in the 50th minute, Cristian won a penalty entering the area. In the 54th minute he put in a perfect ball to Ruidíaz that should have been a goal. Doing it alone twenty minutes later, Roldan connected a no-look shot from outside the box to give Seattle a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Instead of running to the corner late, Cristian found an unmarked Lodeiro for the third goal.” This was the kind of impact Cristian had for much of the year, finding good angles to attack from wide areas and displaying excellent vision combined with sublime service from the wing. Unfortunately, the team stalled and there were times when Cristian and company struggled to create anything offensively. When not receiving enough support through overlapping defenders or crossing options, Roldan lacked the dribbling or pace to create, instead opting for speculative crosses. When asked to move around the pitch, starting in the center of the attack or as a defensive midfielder, Cristian was above average, showing a great pace of work and an eye for the ball. At times, he missed the precision and polish that comes with playing the same position consistently and having a better working relationship with the players around you.

From now on: Roldan showed a distinct dip in effectiveness from the start of the season, when he tore up the Champions League, through the late summer and into the fall, when he and the team unceremoniously limped and finished the season without making the playoffs for the first time in more than a decade. Battling injuries for several matches, Cristian was lucky not to waste more time on the amount of physicality his style of play encourages. In addition to his MLS and CCL workload, there were many international matches, which increased his travels and the number of games played. Hopefully rejuvenated by his trip to Qatar as part of the USMNT (and his recent marriage!) Cristian should enter 2023 fit and motivated. A willing runner, his skill set obviously doesn’t translate to a specific position, so he’s able to move as the team needs to. As solid and consistent as Roldan is on the wing, his defensive midfield play is one of the best on the team, so it remains to be seen whether he will remain primarily an attacking player or step back and push other creative options. There are huge questions about team line-up, with many players being able to move up or down a line to suit the team’s tactical needs. Cristian can fit almost anywhere on the field, which gives him flexibility but can limit his impact and offensive stats, but the expectation is that he will continue to drive the team’s success as he did in 2022.