Garth Lagerwey

GM Garth Lagerwey unsure of Nicolas Lodeiro's availability for Wednesday's match versus Houston

TUKWILA, Wash. — On Wednesday, Seattle Sounders interim head coach Brian Schmetzer said it was “a possibility” that midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro is available for Wednesday Oct. 12’s home game against the Houston Dynamo (7:30 p.m. PT; JOEtv, KIRO Radio 97.3FM, El Rey 1360AM).


On Thursday, General Manager and President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey casted a little more doubt on that chance.


Lodeiro is competing with Uruguay in two CONMEBOL 2016 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches. The first is on Thursday in Uruguay against Venezuela. The second is on Tuesday Oct. 11 — the day before the Houston match — against Colombia in Barranquilla.


“[Lodeiro] has to physically get from Baranquilla, Colombia, to Seattle,” Lagerwey said. “You can go online and you can construct a flight itinerary that can accomplish that fact. That doesn’t mean it’s a good idea for Nico depending on how he plays or how he feels. It doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s a good idea for our team.”


If Lodeiro is unavailable, it will be the second straight match he’s missed. He was suspended in the Sounders’ 2-1 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps last Sunday because of yellow-card accumulation.


Lagerwey noted that Lodeiro is absolutely willing to do whatever it takes to get back and play on Wednesday, but it needs to be a practical decision.


“[Lodeiro is] willing to move Heaven and Earth to get here and be supportive of his teammates,” Lagerwey said. “We have to do this from a common sense approach and not put our players in danger and likewise give our group the best chance.”


The Designated Player has three goals and eight assists in 10 matches since arriving in late July and has been an integral part in the team’s dramatic rise from the Western Conference basement to a 97 percent chance at making the postseason. But Seattle still managed a come-from-behind road win against a Cascadia rival over the weekend without him, which is just as promising and may give the staff more reason to rest him.


“The result in Vancouver showed that we can win with any articulation of [this] group,” Lagerwey said.

2026 Season Membership Deposits

2026 Season Membership Deposits

Feel the pull of the Sound and step into something bigger. 2026 will continue to put Seattle soccer on the world stage, so there's no better time to join the Rave Green and grow with the Sounders legacy. Secure your seat alongside the best fans in MLS.

Two Tickets & Two Beers (vs. Portland Timbers)

Two Tickets & Two Beers (vs. Portland Timbers)

Come out to Lumen Field to watch your Seattle Sounders take on Portland with this special ticket offer sponsored by Michelob Ultra. For just $40 + Taxes & Fees, get two tickets & two beers for the match. For 21+ fans only and drinks must be picked up in the North Plaza 21+ beer garden prior to kickoff.

Kickoff at 7:30 p.m. PT on October 4.

Match & Merch Bundle (vs. Portland Timbers)

Match & Merch Bundle (vs. Portland Timbers)

Add a limited-edition Cascadia Rivalry t-shirt to your ticket to the Portland Timbers match. Matchday pick up info will be communicated prior to the match via email.

Kickoff at 7:30 p.m. PT on October 4.