Nicolas Lodeiro wins MLS Newcomer of Year 2016

It’s impossible to deny that Nicolas Lodeiro’s arrival had a massive impact on the Seattle Sounders’ late-season turnaround. The Uruguayan midfielder had four goals and eight assists as the Sounders went 8-2-4 in the 14 matches he played.

So despite playing in less than half of the Sounders’ regular-season games, it’s not entirely surprising that Lodeiro was named the MLS Newcomer of the Year.

Lodeiro didn’t just win the award, either, he won it in resounding fashion by getting at least 10 percent more votes than any other player from each of the three voting blocs.

This marks the third time a Sounders player has won this award since it first started being handed out in 2007. Lodeiro joins Fredy Montero (2009) and Mauro Rosales (2011).

Lodeiro’s impressive season has carried into the post-season as well. In helping lead the Sounders to their third-ever Western Conference final, Lodeiro has scored a franchise-record tying three goals.