Nicolas Lodeiro
Major League Soccer has not seen many, if any, players arriving in the middle of a season have a bigger impact on a team than Nicolas Lodeiro. He came into a team that was floundering in the standings, and on the pitch, stagnant on offense. In only 13 regular season games, he had four goals and eight assists.
Those numbers don’t even begin to describe his boost to the Sounders attack. Without star Clint Dempsey due to a heart condition, Lodeiro has stepped up when the club’s needed him most, scoring three goals so far in the postseason. He’s been such a spark plug in Seattle, other MLS teams wishlist in the offseason reads: A “Nicolas Lodeiro type player.” He unlocks a defense, defends, and is lethal on set pieces.
Jordan Morris
Nobody has benefited more from Lodeiro’s arrival more than 2016 MLS Rookie of the Year Jordan Morris. Beating out Keegan Rosenberry and Jack Harrison, Morris exploded onto the scene in the Pacific Northwest. He scored 12 goals in his first professional season, and has played much more relaxed when he has Lodeiro taking the primary defensive focus off of him.
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The expectations were sky high for him joining Seattle out of Stanford, but he has lived up to that billing for the most part. He’s good with both feet, fast, and never afraid to run at a defender. He is still looking for his first postseason tally, but the 22 year old US national teamer will surely be ready when his chance comes against Colorado.
Tune in for the first legs of the conference finals 11/22 when Montreal hosts Toronto at 8pm EDT, and Colorado travels to Seattle for a late night 10pm EDT kickoff. The second legs will be in Toronto on 11/30, and at Colorado 11/27.