Nicolás Lodeiro is without a doubt a Seattle Sounders legend. The Eternal Circle of Legends was made for a player who lifted three massive trophies with the club, whose individual efforts were recognized with a Newcomer of the Year, two CCL Best XIs, an MLS Best XI, an All Star appearance and an MVP finalist. He's also the fourth greatest goalscorer in club history, the assist leader and three-time Sounder at Heart Offensive Player of the Year.
His first time back here is the appropriate time to honor him, even while still playing.
Also being honored on Saturday are Jordan Morris and Cristian Roldan. Sometimes overlooked in status because they've been here in Seattle so long, the two nearly-brothers also defined an era of the club – and serve as a reminder that many legends don't just remain here, but are earning new honors.
Jordan just became the highest all comps scorer in club history. He's also in the top five for games played. Morris collected a CCL Best XI, an MLS Best XI, two All Star nods, the Rookie of the Year and was an MVP finalist. He only got one Comeback Player despite coming back from two ACL injuries, and for those reasons will be a Sounders lifer.
Cristian is also in the top 5 for games played, even with a few seasons of fragility. He's another CCL Best XI player and an All Star. The elder Roldan is 7th on the scoring charts and is merely a goal from tying Obafemi Martins. Both Jordan and Cristian won SaH Young Player honors in their first year with the club.
These aren't the only current legends on the team. It's kind of stacked with them. That's what happens with the type of long-term success and roster stability a team like Seattle has.
Stef Frei is number one on that games played and minutes played chart. He's not just a CCL Best XI winner. He won both the Golden Glove and Golden Ball. He only has one All Star nod, but he also was the MLS Cup MVP.
For all the roster turnover during the multi-title run, those legends that helped get Seattle to the foundation of greatness are about to be passed. It's the current roster's high end that will knock them down.
Albert Rusnák is the 13th best scorer and may eventually challenge Nico for that top assist spot. What's amazing is that he sat as an 8 for so long it is easy to forget he's capable of being a strong scorer. He's about to pass Le Toux, Evans, Johnson, Bruin and maybe even Neagle this year.
In 20 years we'll be telling people about the times you watched Yeimar, Jordan, Cristian, Stef, Albert (and maybe even Paulie, who passed cult heroes to get to 21st on the scoring list).
The other great teams of the TAM era didn't stick together. Crew did multiple tear downs. LAFC did one and a half tear downs. Philly has no idea who is going to be on their team in any given window due to their sales of young talent. TFC had four great years and disappeared.
The combination of collective individual excellence, deep runs in multiple competitions and a few wins is rare.
Saturday we get to celebrate three of our greatest, two who will play here for several more years.
Eternal blue, forever green.
Use our affiliate links to support your bloggers when buying merch and tickets.
Catching up on Sounder at Heart
Here's what you missed on the site this week.
Sounders
Next match: Seattle hosts the Houston Dynamo Saturday night at 7:30 pm at Lumen Field on MLS Season Pass. Houston is 0-3-1, -5 in 14th. Sounders are 1-2-1, +0 in 10th.
- Sounders preparing for Nico Lodeiro’s emotional return
- Under The Lights: The Nico Lodeiro Revenge Game
- After busy stretch, Sounders appreciate extra day off
- Sounders appear to be actively in market for Paul Arriola replacement (I want Ray Serrano)
- This would normally go in Links below, but Tom Bogert's Top MLS Trade Targets include Gressel (who wants to play on the East Coast, but maybe he also wants to win?)
- Realio’s Ratings: The ol’ St. Louis slip
- Talking Sounders’ stadium sites and U.S. Open Cup with Kelyn Rowe
- Lobbing Scorchers: Is It Time To Be Concerned About Jesús Ferreira?
- Don’t give up on Jesús Ferreira
Reign
Next match: Seattle travels to North Carolina Courage for a 4 pm match on Saturday on NWSL+. Both teams drew in their openers.
- Match preview: Seattle Reign vs. NC Courage
- Valkyratings: Emeri Adames makes it happen
- The Cooler Guild: A rainy Reign draw but we are back
Defiance and lower division soccer
Next match: Defiance host Spokane Velocity in the second round of the US Open Cup on April 2 at Starfire at 7 pm. Get in for 5$+ donated to RAVE Foundation. Spokane hosts FC Naples Saturday. They drew their opener in league play 2-2.
- Key performers as Defiance advance in U.S. Open Cup
- Another crushing Open Cup Defeat for Ballard FC
- Spokane Velocity FC Takes Care of Business at Round One of the US Open Cup Against Ballard FC (Velocity website)
Looking back at the news
Everything else you need to know
You probably heard that the various pro men's USL leagues voted in favor of transitioning to promotion-relegation system, after they launch a D1 league. This is supposed to happen by 2028. Here's some reading:
- SourcesPromotion, relegation in USA to become reality after historic USL vote
- USL’s Paul McDonough: promotion and relegation likely in US soccer by 2028
- Promotion-relegation is coming to U.S. soccer, via USL. Will it 'reshape' the sport?
- USL to introduce promotion, relegation: What big questions follow owners’ historic vote
With the Men's World Cup coming in just over a year both Renton and Seattle are working to improve their public spaces.
Get ready for the NWSL weekend. The soccer is great. The business is good. There's still some scandals, but they aren't hidden and festering. The openness to mental health issues also means that players are more comfortable stepping away for a bit. Balcer is the latest to pause her career. There’s a Youth Movement Taking Over the NWSL.
U.S. Soccer bid for 2031 Women's World Cup could bring games to Central America, Caribbean. That's if you ask the head of Concacaf. It's notable that when the 2031 confederation possibilities basically assured the US-Mexico bid of winning, the US didn't mention Mexico in what was previously a joint bid.
The MLS All Star Game is back to facing Liga MX. Austin will host. Maybe there will be a barbeque that Anthony Precourt likes.
Apple TV+ reportedly loses $1 billion a year, and that’s okay—for now
This newsletter was made possible through the support of Full Pull Wines, a boutique wines reseller that has been sponsoring us since 2011. You can join their mailing list here.
