Brian Schmetzer

Sounders FC midfielder Nicolás Lodeiro named team captain ahead of 2019 season

Lodeiro Media Day

During a panel with reporters for Sounders FC Media Day at CenturyLink Field on Thursday, Sounders FC General Manager and President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey broke a bit of news about the state of the team.


“We haven’t said this out loud yet, but Nico Lodeiro is going to be our captain this year,” he said. “And to have a person of his extraordinary character and work ethic is something truly meaningful for us as a club, and I think it’s a great reflection of our culture.”


Lagerwey waxed lyrical about the Uruguayan midfielder, speaking at length about how his disposition and temperament as a person surpasses his immense talent on the pitch.


“I want Nico representing the Sounders anywhere in the world, and I’m very, very proud to call him our captain,” added Lagerwey. “The things that he embodies, on and off the field, with his character and his work ethic.


“He’s a great player. There are lots of great players. But Nico’s a great person, and we’re really proud of that. I think that’s a sign of how we’re going to go forward as a club.”

Sounders FC midfielder Nicolás Lodeiro named team captain ahead of 2019 season -



Lagerwey addresses the assembled journalists during Sounders FC Media Day | Charis Wilson

Head Coach Brian Schmetzer remarked that, while there were plenty of viable candidates to assume the captaincy, Lodeiro’s tenure in Seattle made the choice to hand him the armband relatively simple.


“The decision to make him captain is certainly a big one,” said Schmetzer. “I think Nico has the respect of all the players, and it was a fairly easy decision for me to make. He had already been captain on numerous occasions when Ozzie [Alonso] was down… Nico embodies a lot of the qualities that I feel are important to be captain.”


Schmetzer also revealed that the club, based up on the suggestion of Assistant Coach Djimi Traore, allowed the players to vote on the vice-captain, with long-time goalkeeper Stefan Frei receiving the endorsement from his teammates.

Sounders FC midfielder Nicolás Lodeiro named team captain ahead of 2019 season -



Frei speaking to the media after training at CenturyLink Field | Mike Fiechtner

As a player that’s traversed the world playing for some of the biggest clubs in South America and Europe, Lodeiro hopes to imbue some of the lessons he’s learned from great leaders throughout his career.


“I want to be a good leader inside the locker room, inside the field, outside the field, in my life,” said Lodeiro. “I want to show for the young players or senior players my best [attributes]. I don’t have [just] one leader that I admire, I learned from a lot of leaders throughout my career – at Boca, at Corinthians, at Ajax – so I have a lot of experience that I want to show for my team.”


Now that he’s ascended to the role of captain, Lodeiro isn’t likely to rest on his laurels. His time spent in the Pacific Northwest has instilled a great admiration for the community, and he wants that affection to show on the pitch.


“Seattle is my life,” he said. “I am happy here with the fans, with the people. Everywhere people say, ‘Hey Nico, I love you’. This is a good thing for me. I’m very happy here, so I want to show my best because the fans deserve a good team.”

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.