Seattle Sounders FC midfielder Nicolás Lodeiro has been voted the Etihad Airways Player of the Month for August. Lodeiro, who signed with Sounders FC on July 27, earned the nod in his first full month of MLS action and became the first Seattle player to win the award since forward Obafemi Martins (September 2014). With 45.8% of the vote, the Designated Player edged out New York Red Bulls forward Bradley-Wright Phillips (21.1%), D.C. United forward Patrick Mullins (17.1%) and Toronto FC players Sebastian Giovinco (11.6%) and Jozy Altidore (4.4%) in a fan vote on MLSsoccer.com. After a break this week due to the FIFA window, Lodeiro and Sounders FC are set to visit the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, September 10 (7:30 p.m. PT / JOEtv, Univision-Seattle, KIRO Radio 97.3 FM, El Rey 1360 AM).
Since making his MLS debut in a 1-1 draw versus the LA Galaxy on July 31, Lodeiro has led the Rave Green back into the postseason hunt. In August, Sounders FC posted a 3-1-1 record, with the Uruguayan international recording two goals and six assists in the month. The 27-year-old midfielder bagged a pair of two-assist performances against Orlando City SC on August 7 and at the Portland Timbers on August 28, while also adding a goal and an assist versus Real Salt Lake on August 14. His stoppage-time equalizer against Houston on August 24 secured a crucial road point for the Rave Green, while his corner kick set-up the insurance strike in a 3-1 home win over Portland on August 21. In all, Lodeiro registered a goal or assist in each of the month's five contests.
From Paysandú, Uruguay, Lodeiro has 48 caps for the Uruguayan National Team and starred for La Celeste at the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups. Last week, Lodeiro was called into national team duty for 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches, as Uruguay takes on Argentina today at 4:30 p.m. PT before hosting Paraguay on September 6 at 4:00 p.m. PT. Before signing with Sounders FC in July, Lodeiro most recently played for Argentine power Boca Juniors.
Voting for MLS Player of the Month presented by Etihad is open to public, with the five final nominees chosen by the MLSsoccer.com editorial staff.
Unbeaten in five of its six matches under Interim Head Coach Brian Schmetzer and four points below the postseason cut-off line, Seattle Sounders FC (9-13-4, 31 points) visits the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, September 10 (7:30 p.m. PT / JOEtv, Univision-Seattle, KIRO Radio 97.3 FM, El Rey 1360 AM).
