Nicolas Lodeiro capped a magical 2016 run with the Seattle Sounders by hoisting the MLS Cup trophy after earning MLS Newcomer of the Year honors. He’s followed that effort with a goal and an assist so far in three matches to start 2017.
As the Uruguayan playmaker turns 28 years old on Tuesday, let’s take a look at his top five plays with the Sounders.
5. Shaking and baking Vancouver
Lodeiro shifted a nifty give-and-go around Blas Perez and after receiving the return pass from Erik Friberg, Lodeiro spun fully to avoid a sliding Jordan Harvey before feinting to drift away from Pedro Morales.
4. Free kick vs. FC Dallas
In what was Lodeiro’s second free-kick goal of the season, he whipped in a shot over a single-man wall of Mauro Diaz to beat goalkeeper Chris Seitz to the near post.
3. Western Conference semifinals run vs. FC Dallas
A few weeks after his goal in Frisco, Lodeiro scored the second of his two tallies just minutes after his first in the first leg of the Western Conference semifinals. Joevin Jones sent a through ball from deep in the Sounders’ end to a streaking Lodeiro, who slipped past FCD’s high line. He was off to the races on a half-field sprint before slotting home the coup de grâce in a 3-0 rout.
2. Nutmeg vs. the Portland Timbers
In what was named MLS’ No. 1 nutmeg of the 2016 season, Lodeiro put Timbers midfielder Darlington Nagbe on skates at Providence Park. Lodeiro dribbled toward the sideline, dragged the ball backward in one dribble before immediately dragging the ball forward again and through Nagbe’s unsuspecting and helpless legs.
1. Penalty kick in MLS Cup Final shootout
After all Lodeiro’s accolades in his first year with the Sounders, Lodeiro needed to score in the bottom of the fifth round of the 2016 MLS Cup Final penalty shootout against Toronto FC to send it to sudden death. Head coach Brian Schmetzer had originally wanted Lodeiro to shoot second, but Lodeiro refused and insisted to shoot fifth. He stepped up and confidently fired a top-shelf shot, one that goalkeeper Clint Irwin had no chance of stopping, to prolong the match and ultimately give Roman Torres the capture to win Seattle’s first MLS Cup title.
What did we miss? Let us know in the comments below and wish Nico a happy birthday!
