22 Under 22: Who are midseason frontrunners?
With Leagues Cup entering its final rounds, I’ve found time to pick my head up, take a breath and put the microscope on this year’s crop of 22 Under 22 presented by BODYARMOR hopefuls.
2022 (Seattle): Vargas signed a First Team contract prior to the start of the season. Prior to a lower back stress fracture that ended his season in May, Vargas started 10 of 13 regular season appearances for Sounders FC. He also started three of seven appearances during the Rave Green’s title-winning Concacaf Champions League run, including a 61-minute substitute appearance in the second leg of the Final against Pumas UNAM (May 4) after João Paulo suffered a torn ACL.
2021 (Tacoma Defiance): After signing a USL contract with Tacoma on May 7, 2021, Vargas tallied one assist and 31 tackles won in 28 appearances for Defiance this season. The Alaskan also started and played 77 minutes in Seattle’s victory over Austin FC last summer via Extreme Hardship, becoming the third-youngest player in league history to play in a MLS match (15 years and 351 days).
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Vargas joined the Academy at age 14 from Cook Inlet Soccer Club in his home state of Alaska and has also represented the USYNT at the U-15 level.