Seattle Sounders: 6 takeaways from preseason Week 5
By Paul Taylor
The time for talk is over as the Seattle Sounders kick off their competitive season this coming Thursday. Here are our six takeaways from the week that was.
The Seattle Sounders have enjoyed their time in Mexico, including taking a trip to Teotihuacan, an archaeological site with two pyramids. Of course, there has also been the not so small matter of preparing for their first competitive match of the new season.
The Sounders will play the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions League tie against C.D. Olimpia this coming Thursday, which is one of the main reasons they are concluding their preseason training in Mexico.
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Let’s count down our six main takeaways from the previous seven days.
6. Nicolas Lodeiro returns to camp
This time last week, we wrote about the worrying news that Nicolas Lodeiro was receiving tendinitis treatment in his native Uruguay. Fortunately for the club and their fans, we can now share some more positive news.
As reported by Tom Bogert of mlssoccer.com, Lodeiro has now rejoined the Sounders in Mexico for the final stages of preseason. This comes at a good time, with the Rave Green preparing for their first leg against C.D. Olimpia.
However, it should be noted that both player and club are still taking a smart and cautious approach when it comes to the 30-year-old’s health. In this respect, he was held out of the Sounders’ final preseason friendlies.
There is no doubting Lodeiro’s value to the team, as evidenced by already being their all-time assists leaders and helping them reach three MLS Cups during his four seasons in Seattle. With the Sounders aiming to repeat as MLS Cup champions and make a serious challenge for the Champions League, it’s important that he is as close to 100 percent fit as possible when the competitive matches roll around.