Young players’ careers are often defined by constant ups and downs. One week, they have a breakout performance. The next, they barely look like they belong on the field. The players who ultimately emerge to have long careers are able to manage their emotions and can remain focused on long-term progress.
The next step is smoothing those peaks and valleys and maintaining an upward trajectory.
Obed Vargas seems to be moving into that phase.
Ever since his breakout performance against the Philadelphia Union nearly two months ago, the 18-year-old has been turning in one solid performance after another. That only serves to amplify his moments of brilliance, like the one he had against FC Dallas on Saturday.
With the Sounders having already stormed back from 2-0 down to equalize and Vargas limping around the field after taking a hard tackle, it would have been understandable if he was mostly focused on avoiding a mistake that might undo the comeback. Instead, Vargas pounced when he saw an opportunity to make a difference.
First heading a cleared ball forward, Vargas then followed up by blocking an FC Dallas pass. That gave him a chance to pick up his head and spot Jordan Morris making a run. Vargas ran onto the loose ball, set himself up and hit a perfectly weighted throughball with his next touch. Morris raced in on goal and did the rest.
“It was amazing,” Morris said about the pass from Vargas. “We saw him limping around before that. To have the ability and strength to gut through that … it was a perfect ball, in stride. To see that and execute isn’t easy.”
