Ahead of his second full season with the Seattle Sounders, Nicolás Lodeiro is coming out of the gates firing.
The Uruguayan Designated Player recorded four assists and added a goal of his own in a friendly against Cal United FC in Tucson, Ariz., last week, in addition to setting up several other key passes against the Portland Timbers the weekend prior. He’s coming off a seven-goal, 12-assist 2017, helping the Sounders return to MLS Cup, and is ready to pick up where he left off.
“The first goal is to be ready for the first match against Santa Tecla, have a good preseason, and obviously I always want to win everything,” Lodeiro said. “This year we have Champions League and we want to be successful in that tournament, as well as in the Open Cup.”
Lodeiro is also gearing up for a potential spot in the World Cup this summer after helping La Celeste in qualifying during the past year and a half. In a relatively easy group with Saudi Arabia, Egypt and host Russia, it’s setting up nicely for Uruguay to advance and make a run for their third World Cup title.
“This year is going to be huge for me,” Lodeiro said. “I feel good. Little by little I’m getting in rhythm and feeling better so we have to keep on working.”
