Seattle Sounders midfielders Nicolás Lodeiro and João Paulo finished the 2020 Major League Soccer regular season as two of the top passers in the league.
Second Spectrum analyzed data from players who attempted at least 60 passes on the ground that bypassed 3-5 defenders. João Paulo finished second with a 90.91% completion rate, while Lodeiro and João Paulo finished first and second in completion percentage above expectation at 8.87% and 7.17%, respectively.
Lodeiro also finished tied for first in Big Chances Created with 14 and third in Expected Assists at 7.51.
Lodeiro’s inclusion should come as no surprise, as the Uruguayan playmaker finished tied for first in assists this season with 10, his fourth straight year of double-digit helpers despite a shortened schedule. He was also nominated for MLS MVP and is a strong candidate for MLS Best XI.
João Paulo has been a revelation after joining from Brazilian side Botafogo in the offseason. The 29-year-old Designated Player had two goals and five assists while establishing himself as one of the best two-way central midfielders in the league.
Of note, Sounders defender Xavier Arreaga finished third in MLS this season in total passing accuracy at 90.8%.
