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Is Nicolas Lodeiro the best mid-season signing in MLS history?
If his arrival sparks Seattle to somehow sneak into a playoff spot, he just might be. He has completely transformed the Sounders. All the pieces that were not working before are now in sync. He had an assist and a goal in yesterday’s win over Real Salt Lake.
There is still work to do, Seattle are five points and two teams behind Portland right now. In a huge match, they host the Timbers next Sunday night. They then play each other in Portland the following weekend.
It is a bit of a shame that Sigi Schmid could not hold on long enough to get Lodeiro into the fold. It was obvious that the Sounders were missing pieces as they stumbled to a poor start this season. Schmid worked hard to get Lodeiro here, but couldn’t hold off his dismissal long enough to get to reap the benefits.
If you have not seen Lodeiro in action yet, make sure you are watching next weekend against Portland. Players like him are the ones MLS should be searching after, both to sign and to develop.
Domestic
Orlando drops a vital win on the road, late Chicago goal rescues a draw for the Fire (The Mane Land)
He wouldn't shoot from there, would he?
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 14, 2016
He did. Goossens puts @ChicagoFire in front. https://t.co/VSPADnsmEC
Seattle continues their strong form behind Nicolas Lodeiro, defeat RSL 2-1 at home (Sounder at Heart)
Lodeiro gets his first MLS goal. 1-0 Seattle! pic.twitter.com/XHWvwzWsUt
— Total MLS (@TotalMLS) August 14, 2016
In a match rescheduled from Saturday due to storms, Toronto could only manage a draw with Houston (Waking the Red)
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 15, 2016
The Analyst’s Den takes a look at the week in Major League Soccer (MLS)
Special look at diversity in the American soccer culture (Black and Red United)
International
Derby County and Hull City interested in DeAndre Yedlin (Daily Mail)
From 2018-19, top 4 leagues will have 16 guaranteed spots in CL. UEFA ExCo to approve late August. Rich get richer. #onepercenters
— Gabriele Marcotti (@Marcotti) August 15, 2016
Christian Eriksen to Juventus? (IB Times)
3 Things from the Livepool win over Arsenal (SB Nation)
The 27 pass sequence leading to Coutinho’s second goal against Arsenal:
Local
Defense looking strong in training camp for the Atlanta Falcons (The Falcoholic)
The Talking Chop podcast is back with a look ahead at 2017 for the Braves (Talking Chop)
A look at one of the key position battles for Georgia Tech during their preseason (From the Rumble Seat)