Seattle Sounders star Nico Lodeiro undergoes knee surgery; Jordan Morris nearing return

Seattle Sounders midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro has undergone a right knee arthroscopy and will be sidelined an undetermined amount of time, the club confirmed Monday evening. The 32-year-old reaggravated an injury from earlier this season during training last week.

The Uruguayan standout was absent from Seattle's matchday squad Saturday in a 1-0 defeat at Real Salt Lake after starting and playing all 90 minutes in the club's 1-0 win over Minnesota United FC at Lumen Field the week prior.

Lodeiro was gradually working his way back into contention while rehabbing an injury to the same knee that kept him sidelined for much of the 2021 season. The two-time MLS Cup champion has one assist across seven games (three starts) this year, totaling just 363 minutes.

Lodeiro underwent the procedure in Chicago and the Sounders hope he can return to the field this season.

It's unfortunate timing for Seattle as they prepare for Wednesday's Leagues Cup Final against Club Leon in Las Vegas (10 pm ET | ESPN2, UniMas, TUDN), which they now must navigate without Lodeiro's services.

Head coach Brian Schmetzer gave a subsequent positive injury update regarding winger Jordan Morris, who has missed the whole season to date due to a torn ACL he suffered while on loan with Swansea City. The setback occurred back in February.

"He's coming along great," Schmetzer said of Morris. "He's on a medical timeline as well. Once he gets a few more training sessions in, we'll open him up to full training but he's getting closer. He looks good to me. I'd put him into full training, but I'm not a doctor.

"He looks like he's ready, he's a competitive kid, he's itching to play. His long-term health is what's most important so they have to go through that whole protocol, do the little exercises like he's doing now. We'll ramp him up and get to fully training and as soon as he's in full training he'll be ready to go."