MLS Legend Nico Lodeiro Says Goodbye After Transforming American Soccer Forever
A significant chapter in MLS history came to a close on Saturday evening in Houston.
Although Lionel Messi's exceptional talent has captured media attention since his arrival at Inter Miami CF in 2023, very few athletes have shaped the league as profoundly over the past ten years as Nico Lodeiro.
Following nearly a decade in the league, the 38-year-old Lodeiro concluded his MLS journey with his 241st match appearance on Saturday during Houston Dynamo FC's 1–0 victory over St. Louis CITY SC, receiving recognition through a pre-game tribute.
He is scheduled to return to his childhood team Nacional during the upcoming summer transfer period.
The Uruguayan playmaker arrived at Seattle Sounders in MLS during 2016, after previously representing the renowned Argentine club Boca Juniors. He immediately established himself as one of the league's most captivating talents and a vital component of the Sounders' achievements.
Through more than 231 matches across all tournaments for Seattle, he contributed to the team's MLS Cup victories in 2016 and 2019, along with their Concacaf Champions League triumph in 2022, before departing in 2023.
On a personal level, he secured MLS Best XI recognition in 2018, 2020, and 2022, and reached the finals for the Landon Donovan MVP award in 2020.
"My experience in MLS holds great significance, and this represents a deeply emotional moment," Lodeiro shared with media on Saturday. "I developed tremendously. I feel incredibly grateful to have participated in MLS, and I thoroughly enjoyed competing in this league.
"I wish to express gratitude to the league, my teammates, my previous clubs including Seattle, Orlando, and Houston, and every team throughout MLS. I particularly want to emphasize the tremendous respect I hold for the supporters throughout MLS."
Goodbye to Seattle Sounders
Although the Dynamo's pre-game tribute on Saturday provided an appropriate conclusion, it couldn't match the overwhelming response he received during his farewell appearance against the Sounders in Seattle last May.
During that moment, the recollections came rushing back. The 58 goals and 62 assists, spectacular free-kick strikes, packed Lumen Field audiences, and all the triumphs he orchestrated before the passionate Emerald City Supporters, all captured in those final cheers before the match began.
Nevertheless, while his exit from Seattle signaled a new chapter for the Sounders, it also initiated the conclusion of Lodeiro's career, who subsequently had a disappointing 46-match stint with Orlando City SC before appearing in 13 games with the Dynamo this season.
Transformed MLS
His departure from the league, however, carries much greater importance. His acquisition transformed approaches for Designated Players throughout the league, encouraging other franchises to explore South America more extensively for their star players, instead of focusing on Europe.
Simultaneously, it demonstrated a team's capacity to invest substantially beyond more seasoned and renowned personalities, as occurred before Lodeiro and his two-time MLS Cup final adversary, Sebastian Giovinco, at Toronto FC.
Without Lodeiro's influence, the league wouldn't have reached its current position at 30 years old in 2025
"We will miss Nico and we appreciate his contributions in Houston, and more significantly, his service to MLS. He represents one of the finest players this league has witnessed, and working with him was truly enjoyable," stated Dynamo head coach and MLS legend Ben Olsen on Saturday.
"Nico serves as an excellent role model for our younger players to observe and learn from regarding his durability and mindset. I consider myself fortunate to have encountered him, and I will remain a supporter of Nico as he moves forward."