When new Seattle Sounders designated player Nicolas Lodeiro scored his first career MLS goal on Sunday, en route to the club's 2-1 win over Real Salt Lake, the first thing he did was phone home.
After scoring off a pass from Andreas Ivanschitz in the 24th minute, the Uruguay international pulled off one of his cleats and used it like a telephone, explaining to reporters afterward that it was a message to his dad.
"The call is something I had with my father," he told MLSsoccer.com. "I played in Uruguay in Montevideo and he wasn't always able to come to my games. A phone call was all we really had to connect us and really talk about the results on the field."
Lodeiro, an attacking midfielder who just helped Argentina powerhouse Boca Juniors reach the semifinals of the prestigious Copa Libertadores club championship in South America, has 48 caps for the Uruguay national team, including this summer's Copa America Centenario in the United States.
"La Llamada" Celebración de Nicolás Lodeiro tras su 1er gol con @soundersfc Final #Sounders 2-1 #RSL @PolancoESA pic.twitter.com/pQNHbnOFbU
- La Aficion NW (@LaAficionNW) August 15, 2016
The Sounders (8-12-3) have won two straight and are 2-0-1 since parting ways with former coach Sigi Schmid on July 26. Lodeiro has factored into four of their last five goals, with two assists last week in a 3-1 victory at Orlando City.
Coupled with Portland's 2-0 loss at D.C. United on Saturday night, the Sounders are five points below the Timbers for the last playoff spot in the Western Conference. The rivals meet next Sunday in Seattle.