In less than four complete seasons, Nicolas Lodeiro has been the attacking mastermind behind a Seattle Sounders squad that has won two MLS Cups and appeared in three, and has yet never been so much as a Landon Donovan MLS MVP finalist.
A look at three key stats suggests maybe that was an oversight.
In terms of goals per game, points per match and winning percentage, the Sounders are an obviously better team with the Uruguayan international than without him, since his MLS career began in 2016.
Prior to the hiatus due to COVID-19, Lodeiro missed the first two Sounders regular season matches because of hamstring tendonitis.
Goals per game
Lodeiro on the field: 1.6 per 90 minutes
Lodeiro off the field: 0.9 per 90 minutes
Points per game
Lodeiro starts: 1.8
Lodeiro does not start: 1.4
Winning %
Lodeiro starts: 52.5%
Lodeiro does not start: 41,2%