One of the side effects of the brief and relatively wondrous Nicolas Lodeiro era is that he’s pulled nearly the entire spotlight onto himself. When you score two goals and add in four assists, that’s a natural byproduct.
The secondary effect has been to snow under the incredible about-face Clint Dempsey has done in terms of form over the last month. And now the Sounders will have to deal without him for at least Sunday’s match at Portland (2 p.m. PT: ESPN/KIRO 97.3 FM/El Rey 1360AM)
It was announced Friday that Dempsey’s receiving treatment for an irregular heartbeat.