Nicolas Lodeiro expected to start for Uruguay in Copa America opener

Nicolas Lodeiro isn't just recovered from an injury scare late last week, he's apparently expected to start in Uruguay's Copa America Centenario opener against Mexico on Sunday. Uruguay media is reporting that Lodeiro has beaten out Gaston Ramirez, a Southampton midfielder who spent last season on loan with recently promoted Middlesbrough. Ramirez scored seven goals in just under 1,300 minutes.

The Seattle Sounders have been widely reported as closing in on a transfer deal to bring the 27-year-old to MLS during the summer transfer window.

Lodeiro is only about six weeks removed from having surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his knee. Early reports suggested he might be out as long as three months, but Lodeiro returned to training with Boca Juniors just two weeks later and played 45 minutes for Uruguay in a friendly a little more than a month after the surgery.

But Lodeiro reported some pain in his knee late last week, causing some concern that he'd reinjured himself. Studies revealed that nothing serious had happened, though.