RENTON — Nico Lodeiro’s comeback was almost in a green jersey.
The former Sounders captain cut off negotiations and opted to not return after a storied eight-year career ended in 2023. After a season playing for Orlando City SC, Lodeiro agreed to have that contract terminated, making him a free agent.
The Sounders could’ve signed the midfielder for no less than the MLS senior minimum $104,000 salary. Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer and general manager Craig Waibel said the possibility was considered, ultimately deciding Lodeiro didn’t fit their roster plans or long-term outlook.
Sounders midfielders Albert Rusnák and Pedro de la Vega play a similar role as Lodeiro. Trade acquisitions in Jesús Ferreira and Paul Arriola can also be used in similar ways. Arriola (ACL) and de la Vega (quad) are out because of injuries.
“I respect Seattle’s position, they know why they said ‘no,’” Lodeiro said Thursday. “Of course, I wished to go back to Seattle.”
Lodeiro signed with the Houston Dynamo last month. The move to the Western Conference guarantees two matches against his former club, the first being Saturday at Lumen Field. The second is in May in Texas.
The Sounders will honor Lodeiro with an on-field ceremony before kickoff.
Lodeiro, who turns 36 on Friday, said he’s already emotional about playing in Seattle again. He hasn’t been in the city since his last match as a Sounder in November 2023 when he subbed on in the 57th minute of a quarterfinal playoff loss to Los Angeles FC.
“It’s going to be hard for me, but this is my profession,” Lodeiro said. “I’m a professional, and I know how important [this match is] for Houston now.”
Orlando took advantage of a league rule to buyout Lodeiro’s remaining $800,000 of his contract for salary cap relief. The Uruguayan appeared in 46 matches (19 starts) across all competitions for the Lions, tallying two goals with 13 assists.
Lodeiro’s 11 assists in league play last year was the seventh time in his MLS career that he had double digits in the category. It validated his sentiment that he can still contribute at a high level.
With Houston, Lodeiro said he’s showing the same work ethic and hopes it garners more playtime than he saw in Orlando. He started the past two matches, logging 75 minutes in last week’s 2-1 loss against Real Salt Lake at Houston’s Shell Energy Stadium.
“I’ve talked to [Houston front office] last year and two years before and received very kind words from them,” said Lodeiro, who’s already scored one goal for the Dynamo. “I really like to play for the people that like you. So, I decided to come here because I trust in the leadership and the coaching staff. I have very good teammates and it’s a good locker room. I’m happy to represent Houston.”
But it’ll be hard to top Seattle where two of Lodeiro’s three children were born.
Lodeiro signed in 2016 and led the Sounders to their first MLS Cup trophy in his debut season. He helped the club win seven trophies overall, including the historic CONCACAF Champions Cup in 2022.
The playmaker is the Sounders’ all-time leader in assists (95), and he also had 58 goals in 231 appearances, through all competitions. Lodeiro especially shined during the Sounders’ MLS postseason runs, compiling a 17-6-3 record in 26 career postseason matches and leading with 11 career playoff assists.
“We’re still trying to replace Nico,” Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan said. “It’s a lot of emotions. Nico spent a lot of his prime years here, winning us games and showing us how to be a professional, train really hard, be a good guy in the locker room and ultimate competitor. For myself and a lot of the guys that were here, we witnessed someone that put everything on the line for the team. That’s why it’s going to be special seeing him on the field against us.”
Lodeiro and the Sounders can’t afford to reminisce too much Saturday. Houston (0-3-1) is winless to start the season and has conceded a Western Conference-high eight goals.
The Sounders (1-2-1) are looking to shake last week’s road loss against St. Louis City SC and getting kicked out of the Champions Cup by Mexico’s Cruz Azul behind a 4-1 loss.
“I really love Seattle, I miss everything about it,” said Lodeiro, who’s looking forward to seeing friends his family made outside of the organization. “Of course, my focus is here [Houston] and doing my best here. But it’s impossible to forget about Seattle because my time there was incredible.”
