TUKWILA, Wash. — Major League Soccer named Seattle Sounders midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro the 2016 Newcomer of the Year on Monday, but he was quick to deflect the praise.
“I didn’t expect [this award],” said Lodeiro through a translator. “I wanted do what I could to help the team, but I am surprised and very happy to be where I am.”
The Uruguayan Designated Player edged Columbus Crew SC’s Ola Kamara and the LA Galaxy’s Jelle Van Damme to take home the honor.
Lodeiro played in just 13 regular-season games, but scored four goals and added eight assists. He catalyzed one of the more remarkable turnarounds in MLS history by leading the Sounders to their eighth consecutive playoff berth and has them in position to reach their first MLS Cup.
“I think anybody that’s been following out league has to give credit to [Lodeiro],” said Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer. “He only had [three months], as opposed to a full season for the other two. So for him to come in and make such a dramatic impact in a shorter amount of time is well-deserved.”
Lodeiro also became the seventh South American player in the 10 years of the award’s existence to be honored, something to which he is proud to contribute.
“I don’t know why [South American players have so much success in MLS], but it makes me happy,” Lodeiro said. “The South American football is very different and each player that arrives brings new things.”
Lodeiro has scored three goals in three postseason matches so far this year and will look to add to those numbers on Tuesday in the first leg of the Western Conference Championship against the Colorado Rapids (7 p.m. PT; FS1, KIRO Radio 97.3 FM, El Rey 1360AM).
