Introducing the "Play of the Game" where we will break down a play from the previous match and give you a closer look at the critical moments that made it happen. On the first edition, we will be looking at Stefan Frei’s improbable game-saving stop in the 2016 MLS Cup and the great work from the Reds that lead up to it.

The Situation 

With the Reds and the Seattle Sounders deadlocked in a scoreless battle through the first 90 minutes, the two teams headed to extra time. Late in the first extra time session, Sebastian Giovinco was subbed off for Tosaint Ricketts. The Canadian speedster had been a huge contributor to the team’s run to the MLS Cup. Shortly after a restart, the ball was played into touch by the Sounders just past the halfway line. The next 15 seconds would be the defining moment of the 2016 MLS Cup.

The Play

Twenty seconds into the 108th-minute, defender Eriq Zavaleta got ready to throw the ball back into play. He was able to pick out Benoit Cheyrou a quarter of the way into the Sounders’ half of the field. Zavaleta threw the ball towards Cheyrou, who took the first touch off his chest before using a very quick bit of footwork to beat two Sounders defenders.

Cheyrou then played a short ball to Steven Beitashour, who took one touch before sending a perfectly weighted pass through the Sounders’ backline, springing the fresh-legged Rickett, who took a long touch to beat Seattle’s sprawled out defender Roman Torres.

Just before reaching the endline, Ricketts swung a high cross into the centre of the box. Jozy Altidore made a full-throttle run in from outside the box and was able to leap and get his head to the ball. Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei began the play hugging his left post, then followed the ball across the net and was about a third of away across the net at the point in time when Altidore’s head made contact with the ball.

Altidore’s high-arcing attempt at goal seemed destined for the top left corner. Frei’s momentum was taking him towards the right of his goal at the point of impact, but he quickly adjusted and took two strides to his left before stretching his left hand out at the ball. Frei was able to get his middle and index fingers on the ball. It was a seemingly impossible save.

What they said: 

Altidore: “I thought for sure [it was going in]. I was willing away. When I saw it hit his hand at the last, second I thought it would at least still go in. But to see it come back out, I was just in disbelief. “

Frei: : "Sometimes as a goalkeeper, you feel like your not going to get to a ball. But you never know until you try. I tried to keep my feet moving and luckily I was able to get there.”