SEATTLE, WASH. – Addressing regional media this afternoon in a virtual briefing, Sounders FC Head Coach Brian Schmetzer announced that that midfielder Nicolás Lodeiro has undergone a successful right knee arthroscopy. The procedure was performed by Dr. Nigel Sparks on Thursday, May 27 at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle. Lodeiro is beginning rehabilitation immediately following the procedure.
Additionally, Schmetzer relayed that starting goalkeeper Stefan Frei is now out indefinitely as a result of further complications stemming from the left knee injury he suffered on May 12 at San Jose. Frei has developed a blood clot near the original injury site, and is now out for an undetermined period of time.
Lodeiro, 32, signed with Sounders FC in the summer of 2016 and has since led the club to two MLS Cup titles and four MLS Cup Final appearances, in addition to ranking first in franchise history with 58 MLS regular season assists and sixth in scoring (33 goals). He also ranks first with 10 assists and second with eight goals in postseason play. The Uruguayan has one appearance in 2021, a 24-minute shift as a substitute in a 3-0 win over the LA Galaxy on May 2.
Since signing with Sounders FC prior to the 2014 season, Frei, 35, has set club records for goalkeeper appearances (225), wins (110), saves (692) and shutouts (65), in addition to leading the Rave Green to the 2014 Supporters’ Shield and Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, as well as four MLS Cup Final appearances and a pair of championships. His 84 career MLS regular season shutouts currently rank fourth all-time in league history, in addition to ranking fourth with 130 wins, fifth with 307 appearances and eighth with 1,001 saves. Frei had appeared in five game this season, allowing just two goals and recording a pair of shutouts.
After surpassing the club record for best start through seven games in a season, Sounders FC (5-0-2, 17 points) plays its last match before the June international break this Sunday, May 30 against expansion side Austin FC (2-4-0, 6 points) at Lumen Field (6:30 p.m. PT / FS1, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM).
