The start to the 2022 season has been a bit of a whirlwind for Seattle Sounders midfielder Obed Vargas.
Vargas, 16, put in another impressive performance beyond his years on Tuesday night as the Sounders steamrolled Liga MX side Club León in the first leg of the Concacaf Champions League Quarterfinals.
“Certainly, he belongs in the team,” Head Coach Brian Schmetzer said of Vargas in his post-match press conference. “He has played at a level where he belongs on the field, so that’s a credit to him. There’s a lot of different reasons why that kid has performed well. We’re happy to have him now.”
Young players are typically graded on a curve by fans and pundits alike when they initially break into the First Team. Performances come with the caveat of playing well for their age. Merely not standing out in a negative way is often deemed a resounding success for prospects getting their first minutes in Concacaf Champions League or MLS play.
But what has been so exciting about Vargas’ displays this season – he has appeared in all five matches, including four starts – is that he catches the eye for his positive contributions on both sides of the ball. Playing in such a crucial position at central midfield, he hasn’t shied away from the limelight, completing 83 percent of his 171 pass attempts across five appearances.
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“The kid has a good feel for the game,” Schmetzer said after the Nashville SC match. “He’s not afraid. Starting him in a Concacaf Champions League game down in Honduras, that was a big challenge for him and rose to that…. You cannot argue about the kid’s heart, his desire and his character.”
There is little margin for error in central midfield. Mistakes are often punished by shipping goals to the opposition, but Vargas been able to limit the little errors associated with young players.
“He reminds me a little bit of Cristian [Roldan] when Cristian first came [to the Sounders],” added Schmetzer. “He’s got that defending tenacity, but he can go forward and attack. I think he’s going to be a tremendous player for our club, and then let’s see.”
Vargas’ composed, intelligent playing style in the center of the park certainly passes the eye test. The way he glides past defenders, shifting his weight to get them off balance before bursting into space, showcases a quiet confidence that belies his age. Willing to both set the tempo with quick side-to-side passes and aggressive, line-breaking passes forward, he’s been a solid partner at the base of midfield next to either João Paulo or Cristian Roldan.
On the defensive side of the ball, Vargas has played a big role in limiting opposition attackers to dangerous chances with his determined 1-v-1 defending and clever positioning.
Through five matches this year, Vargas has posted six tackles, four interceptions, 13 duels won and three key passes.
It’s a small sample size and Vargas is still a young, relatively unproven player. But his work ethic in training and matches has already impressed some of the more established guys on the roster.
“I believe that he has a bright future,” Roldan said after the Nashville match. “He can become a starter now or in two years, but gaining that experience is something he’ll be able to take advantage of and continue to grow.”
The Sounders return to action on Saturday as they host the LA Galaxy (12:30 p.m. PT; FOX, FOX Deportes, 1090 KJR AM, El Rey 1360AM | TICKETS) in a Western Conference clash at Lumen Field.
