Sounders midfielder Nicolás Lodeiro missed Saturday's scoreless draw against the Columbus Crew due to a foot injury, according to Head Coach Brian Schmetzer.
"We were hoping he would play," Schmetzer told media following the match. "We are going to continue to evaluate him because he is an important player or the club, and we will take it game by game."
Lodeiro, 29, has battled a foot injury for the last couple months, originally missing a CONCACAF Champions League match against Chivas in March. The Designated Player has 11 goals and 22 assists in 51 regular-season MLS matches since signing with the Rave Green in July 2016. An engine in the midfield and the most creative player on the roster, the Sounders sorely missed his presence flair in Saturday's scoreless draw.
"He's got a significant foot injury," Schmetzer said. "Nico has been a very, very positive influence for us and the club. We're sad he isn't playing, but, like I said, we are going to continue to evaluate him and try to make good decisions for this club."
Schmetzer says Lodeiro could return as soon as Wednesday. Saturday's match marked the first of three matches in a busy nine-day stretch, with the Rave Green visiting Toronto FC mid-week then the Portland Timbers at Providence Park next Sunday afternoon. Lodeiro, who helped Uruguay qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, could be called-in to his third straight World Cup later this month.
