For Seattle Sounders FC, praise is in high supply for players like Nicolas Lodeiro and Jordan Morris, who both made the shortlists for the Newcomer of the Year and Rookie of the Year awards, respectively. While Lodeiro scored two of the four Sounders’ playoff goals this season, Brian Schmetzer was full of praise on Tuesday for two of his other squad members: Nelson Valdez and Joevin Jones.
Valdez, who hadn’t scored all season long in MLS play, scored the winner against Sporting Kansas City and kicked off the incredible eight-minute run that gave the Sounders a 3-0 victory over FC Dallas.