Activity is starting to increase for the Seattle Sounders, as they edge ever closer to their first competitive match of the new season. Here are our six takeaways from the week that was.
The Seattle Sounders are now in Mexico City for the final stage of preseason training camp ahead of their first competitive match of the 2020 campaign. They will face C.D. Olimpia on Feb. 20, in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions League opening round tie.
As a result of now being less than two weeks away from this match, it is unsurprising that the frequency of news surrounding the Sounders has increased.
With this in mind, let’s count down our six takeaways from the previous week.
6. Nicolas Lodeiro receiving treatment for tendinitis
No one doubts the importance of Nicolas Lodeiro to the Seattle Sounders’ roster. Since arriving in Seattle in 2016, he has helped them appear in three MLS Cups and is their all-time assists leader.
As such, there has been a lot of understandable angst with Lodeiro’s absence from training camp since the club returned from California. As per Ari Liljenwall of mlssoccer.com, it turns out he is receiving tendinitis treatment back home in Uruguay.
Of course, this leads to the question of when the 30-year-old will be back? Head coach Brian Schmetzer claims it is not too serious, advising that it is actually a lingering issue which dates back to the closing stages of last season.
Schmetzer doesn’t seem to be too concerned about a player who has been extremely durable, as proven by playing in 89 percent of possible MLS league and playoff games since joining the club. Regardless, you can expect a lot of fans to be worried until they see Lodeiro return to action on the field.