When it comes to the discussion of players most crucial to the success of the Seattle Sounders, João Paulo’s name has to be at or near the top of the list.
The defensive midfielder has been at his very best to start the 2022 season, picking up where he left off in a 2021 campaign that saw him finish as an MLS MVP finalist with three goals and 11 assists.
João Paulo’s game goes far beyond the stat sheet. The crafty Brazilian is the true definition of a do-everything player, boasting supreme technical gifts on the attacking end with his pinpoint passing and propensity for golazos, while also bringing a tenacious, relentless presence on defense.
“I don’t know if I can say anything new about JP,” said Head Coach Brian Schmetzer. “MVP candidate last year, you guys see it on a weekly basis. He’s been great since he’s been here.”
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That two-way skillset has proven valuable in Concacaf Champions League play, where João Paulo has anchored the midfield on Seattle’s run to the tournament final against Liga MX side Pumas UNAM, which starts with a Leg 1 opener at Estadio Olímpico Universitario on Wednesday (7:30 p.m. PT; FS1, TUDN, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360AM) before hosting Leg 2 at Lumen Field on May 4 (7:00 p.m. PT; FS1, TUDN, 93.3. KJR FM, El Rey 1360AM | TICKETS).
General Manager and President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey said that much of João Paulo’s brilliance lies in his versatility, with an ability to adapt to whoever is playing beside him at the base of midfield.
“I just think you see the full breadth of JP’s skillset,” said Lagerwey. “He does everything well. He can play with a player like Cristian Roldan next to him, he can play with Obed Vargas next to him, he can play with Albert [Rusnák] next to him and he’s going to make them all better.”
With the return from injury of standout playmaker Nicolás Lodeiro this season, João Paulo’s value has also once again been underscored in how he’s adjusted to help maximize the presence of the free-running Uruguayan.
It’s paid dividends thus far in CCL, with the club now two matches away from what would be a historic achievement for both the club and MLS as a whole.
“Nico Lodeiro’s running unbalances the other team, that’s why he’s been so wildly effective for us over the years,” said Lagerwey. “But the player playing behind him has to adjust to that as well, know where Nico’s going, understanding where the gaps are going to be.
“JP’s just amazing at reading the game and figuring that out on both sides of the ball. So I think he’s come back just as good this year as last year. We’ve been really lucky to have him, he’s been just a fabulous signing.”
