Nicolás Lodeiro To Start On Bench But Get Minutes Against Real Salt Lake, Schmetzer Confirms
Nov 23, 2021, 3:37 PM
Nicolas Lodeiro #10 of Seattle Sounders reacts during the MLS Cup Final against the Columbus Crew at MAPFRE Stadium on December 12, 2020 in Columbus, Ohio. Columbus Crew won 3-0. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
(Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Seattle Sounders manager Brian Schmetzer admitted that star playmaker Nicolás Lodeiro will begin the fixture against Real Salt Lake on the bench.
“If you ask him he says he will be 100 percent,” Schmetzer said in a recent press conference when asked about the health of Lodeiro. “He will be on the bench but in the second half I will play him, I am not afraid to play him,” he added.
Brian Schmetzer updated the health of the @SoundersFC squad after training today, saying that Raul Ruidiaz, Joao Paulo and Xavier Arreaga are great and 100%. Also noted Nicolas Lodeiro will be on the bench tomorrow but he will play against RSL. #EBFG pic.twitter.com/irVlnRI3w9
— Jackson Felts ⭐⭐ (@JacksonBFelts) November 22, 2021
The 32-year-old has dealt with a nagging knee injury and has only appeared in nine games in 2021. He first injured his right knee on May 27 after playing in just one game. Then, he had another procedure on September 20 when he had an arthroscopy performed on the same knee.
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Lodeiro has not featured for Seattle very often this season due to the right knee injury. His last game played was on November 1st when he started and played 73 minutes in the 1-1 tie with the LA Galaxy at home. He did not feature in the final two regular season games for Seattle.
Match Info
Real Salt Lake will next travel to Seattle for a date with Freddy Juarez and the Sounders. The single-elimination game will be a part of the first round of the MLS Playoffs with the winner advancing while the loser is eliminated.
The kick-off is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. on November 23rd and will be broadcast via FS1.
