When the news broke that Seattle Sounders FC had signed Uruguayan international, Nicolas Lodeiro, few could have expected his first start to go so well. The midfielder did not have a lot of practice time with the team yet he seemed to fit in seamlessly into the Sounders' starting eleven and combined very well with his teammates and in particular, Clint Dempsey.

That was what the Sounders needed. A player who could fill the creative void left by Obafemi Martins and allow Dempsey to flourish once again in a Sounders jersey, something he had failed to do so far this season. Dempsey had only managed three goals in 14 appearances for the Sounders but many feel that with Lodeiro in the team now, this output could increase quickly. Lodeiro and Dempsey only had one practice together before last weekend's match against the Los Angeles Galaxy but what the fans and the Seattle front office saw between the two players has given them all cause to be excited at the skill on show.

Lodeiro made an instant impact in his debut | Source: espnfc.com
Lodeiro made an instant impact in his debut | Source: espnfc.com

Lodeiro has enough creativity to push the Sounders up the table

When asked about Lodeiro's potential impact on the team, interim coach Brian Schmetzer warned everyone to be patient with the new signing and how he will match up with Dempsey. Schmetzer stated that it was a "work in progress" as chemistry tends to take time but he expected it to happen as both players are "smart and talented soccer players".

The hope for the two Designated Players for Seattle is that with time and effort, the right combination and play will develop between the two. Schmetzer talked about figuring out the "right spacing" and fine-tuning that. Lodeiro, according to Schmetzer, will use his vision in midfield to allow Dempsey to get more consistent touches higher up the field. Against LA, Schmetzer noted that the team did not achieve this and if they are to move up the table, they need to get "Clint closer to goal, because we're going to need to rely on Clint to score some goals".

Teamwork still the name of the game for Schmetzer

Although the two DPs will be the focus for the Sounders, Schmetzer believes that working on their team play will ultimately benefit both Lodeiro and Dempsey, and the team as a whole. Schmetzer also believes that Dempsey is "arguably the best player" that the US has produced. Demspey's past exploits and his drive have proven that to Schmetzer during his time working with the US international.

Seattle need Dempsey to find his best again | Source: Ted S. Warren/AP
Seattle need Dempsey to find his best again | Source: Ted S. Warren/AP

What Schmetzer hopes to achieve is to get Lodeiro and the outside players "moving at the right time". If the team manages to do that, Schmetzer feels that the team can relieve the pressure off of Dempsey and move the attention away from it being solely on him. The coach wants Dempsey to "play free and play how he does".

In the end though, Schmetzer and the rest of his coaching staff believe that Dempsey will lead from the front and Lodeiro will lead through the middle. If it all clicks as they want it to, the Sounders may yet finish this season with something to build on in the offseason and seasons to come.

Quotes via MLSSoccer.com

VAVEL Logo
About the author