Seattle Sounders: 3 Keys vs. Sporting KC

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Oct 12, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Sounders FC midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro (10, right) is fouled by Houston Dynamo defender Sheanon Williams (22) during the first half at CenturyLink Field. Seattle and Houston tied, 0-0. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /

2) Nicolas Lodeiro

Regardless of the Sounders’ proud 100 percent record of qualifying for the playoffs, they have yet to win the MLS Cup. With this in mind, Lodeiro potentially represents the most intriguing element of this game, having never played on this stage before.

Not that this should prove to be any issue whatsoever for the 27-year old, who has appeared in two World Cups. In fact, he’s hoping to use his experience at the highest level to help some of his younger teammates.

Speaking to Matt Pentz of The Seattle Times and the rest of the media, Lodeiro said through a translator: “One of the goals is to give those guys that are newer on this stage – to calm them down – to give them confidence to go forth and be successful.”

There is no reason to disbelieve the 27-year old, especially when you consider the impact he has had since arriving in Seattle. As an example, if you pro-rate his assists over the course of a full season, he would have finished first in the league – Sporting KC should consider themselves warned.

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