Sounders FC Bids Farewell to Club Legend Nicolás Lodeiro

December 12, 2023 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Seattle Sounders FC News Release

Sounders FC Bids midfielder Nicolás Lodeiro hoists MLS Cups from 2016 and 2019
(Seattle Sounders FC)

SEATTLE, WASH.- With MLS Free Agency opening this week, Sounders FC bids farewell to club legend Nicolás Lodeiro, who is out of contract with the Rave Green. Since coming to Seattle from Boca Juniors in 2016, the Uruguayan has led Sounders FC to seven major trophies – four Western Conference championships (2016, 2017, 2019, 2020), two MLS Cups (2016, 2019) and the historic 2022 Concacaf Champions League title, the first and only time an MLS team has captured the continental trophy. Across all competitions, he ranks first in club history with 95 assists (43 more than any other player) and fourth with 58 goals in 231 appearances. In the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, Lodeiro led Sounders FC to a 17-6-3 record in 26 career postseason matches, ranking first in club history with 11 assists (first among active MLS players) and second with eight goals (tied for third among active MLS players).

The 2016 MLS Newcomer of the Year earned 2019 MLS All-Star and 2020 MLS Best XI honors, in addition to being a two-time Concacaf Champions League Best XI selection (2018, 2022). He was also a finalist for 2020 Landon Donovan MLS MVP after recording seven goals and a league-leading 12 assists in just 20 regular-season games. Lodeiro is one of eight players to record 200 appearances across all competitions for Sounders FC in the MLS era, alongside Osvaldo Alonso, Stefan Frei, Cristian Roldan, Brad Evans, Fredy Montero, Nouhou and Jordan Morris.

Quotes from representatives of Sounders FC’s leadership are included below.

SOUNDERS FC OWNER ADRIAN HANAUER

“What Nico has accomplished in his time with this organization is nothing short of extraordinary. We knew we had something special in 2016 when he led the club to its first MLS Cup in his first few months in Seattle, but he continued to raise the bar. Lifting the 2019 MLS Cup and 2022 Concacaf Champions League trophies in front of our home fans would not have been possible without Nico. His passion, skill and tenacity on the field are all hallmarks of what it means to be a Sounder. ‘Once a Sounder, always a Sounder’ is something I’m extremely proud to say about Nico Lodeiro, and his family will always have a special place in our community.”

SOUNDERS FC PRESIDENT OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS HUGH WEBER

“A team doesn’t accomplish the types of things that…