Nicolas Lodeiro addresses contract status with Seattle Sounders | OneFootball

Seattle Sounders figure Nicolas Lodeiro could soon be a free agent.

The captain originally signed an extension in 2020, with the deal running through the 2023 Major League Soccer season. The new contract proved lucrative, enabling Lodeiro to record 14 goals and 23 assists in three seasons to inspire the team to the historic Concacaf Champions League trophy in 2022 and several MLS playoff runs.

But despite consistent efforts and record-breaking numbers, the Western Conference giants have yet to approach the player about potential new terms.

“If the club decides to talk or they have something to tell me, they know I’m here,” said Lodeiro.

For now, the captain insists he will continue to lead by example on and off the field while “giving it his all”.

“I try not to think about the contract. What I want is to enjoy the day-to-day. Let the club decide – truthfully, they know that whenever they want they can sit and talk to me … I want to play well, help the team on and off the field, be a leader, be an example," he said.

“We want to have a great season, we want to compete again in MLS. Now there’s Leagues Cup, which is a beautiful challenge. We want to compete in Open Cup... Knowing that it’s the last year [of my contract] you want to compete for everything. The CCL win marked that high bar that we’d set for ourselves. Both new and current players have to keep this going because we don’t want this just for now, but for the future as well. The academy kids, the new players have to feel this as well.”

Though Lodeiro shows no signs of slowing down, recording one assist in five games while providing constant offensive pressure, the player addressed the reality of life off the pitch.

“I try to have fun and whatever needs to happen will happen. It would be nice to keep representing the club, not just on the field," he explained.

But for now, Lodeiro and the Seattle Sounders will remain focused on the game against the LA Galaxy on Saturday at Dignity Health Sports Park. The team currently sits in second place of the Western Conference table after a decent start to the 2023 campaign, with 10 points in five games and a record of 3W-1L-1D.