Seattle Sounders maestro Nico Lodeiro was named to Uruguay’s star-studded Copa América roster on Thursday, a major opportunity for the midfielder to chase international glory that leaves big shoes for his club team to fill.
La Celeste have been drawn into the tournament's Group C and will face Ecuador, Japan and Chile (in that order) in Brazil next month. The top two finishers, and possibly the third-placed side, will advance to the knockout stages.
Lodeiro, 30, has earned 56 caps to date in his career, scoring four goals. The Designated Player has been essential for the Sounders, notching two goals and eight assists thus far this season. One media report stated that he has already joined Uruguay’s pre-Copa training camp, in light of the fact that he’s suspended for Seattle’s away match vs. FC Dallas on Saturday due to yellow-card accumulation.
This year’s Copa America kicks off on June 14, with the group stage running until June 24 and the knockout stages opening on June 27 and leading up to the final on July 7.
Lodeiro will miss Seattle’s visit to the Montreal Impact on June 5 due to international duty, and could be away for as many as three more matches in late June and early July if La Celeste make a deep run in the tournament.
