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New York Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Obed Vargas measures his passes and his present while a brighter future awaits
AUSTIN, Texas — For a second straight year, Obed Vargas' high standard of play at such a young age could present him with a difficult decision. Last year, the 19-year-old Alaska-born midfielder was caught up in one of the most scrutinized dual-national decisions involving a player eligible for both Mexico and the United States. This year, standout performances with the Seattle Sounders in MLS and at the FIFA Club World Cup have vaulted Vargas into the transfer rumor mill. Sitting with The Athletic on the eve of a potential MLS All-Star Game debut, Vargas' confidence in what he's done and what lies ahead is palpable in spite of a relaxed posture and a reserved vocal register. Advertisement Having already played over 100 games for Seattle, Vargas will finally turn 20 in early August. Every performance of his garners a growing audience. What comes next is anybody's guess, but after three precocious showings against Botafogo, Atlético Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, it's clear he still has tremendous potential. 'That's probably the highest level I've ever played at, those three games,' Vargas said. 'Looking back at it, it was definitely a really good experience.' Of the three, Vargas felt the matchup against Botafogo was the one he enjoyed the most. Some of that is down to his team's performance — Seattle arguably outplayed the Brazilian club but was unable to finish a flurry of chances before falling 2-1. The result stayed in reach thanks to the work of Vargas and midfield partner Cristian Roldan, giving Seattle an engine room that could go toe-to-toe with their physical opposite numbers. In the early minutes against Botafogo, Vargas had three takeaways that sprung Seattle counters. One, in the fifth minute, saw Vargas pry the ball off of an opponent's foot and immediately spring a counter, weaving through the half-space before passing to Jesus Ferreira. While his striker's shot fizzed just wide of frame, it was an early indicator that the Sounders — and their teenage technician — were up to the task. It's a bit of opportunism that he's been working on in recent months. 'Whenever a team has the ball, they usually tend to be super expansive,' Vargas said. 'Super wide. That means, defensively, they're not really set up. I think if you can steal the ball, and you can beat two guys — I mean, the rest of the guys are spread out, they're not really in a good position (to stop you). 'I think my true position is that (number) eight: box to box. You have to be able to do both sides of the ball, and I've always tried to be the most complete player. Developing my weak foot has obviously helped me as well, my left foot. There's a lot of things that I'm looking to develop in my game.' Moments like this 🫶 Obed Vargas sharing a moment with his favorite player, Antoine Griezmann. — Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 20, 2025 In the past, Seattle predominantly used Vargas in a more withdrawn role, more of a defensive midfielder than that true box-to-box option. Over time, Vargas has been entrusted to advance into the final third more often, an approach he feels is possible thanks to Cristian Roldan's evolution as a ball-winner. Advertisement In league play this season, Vargas has taken 30.5% of his touches in the final third — a 4% increase over his 2024 possession rates. Those 5-to-6 additional final third touches per game don't go to waste — Vargas is completing 83% of his passes in the final third this year, second-highest of any Sounder and a 12% increase over his 2024 rate. It's only a good sign that Vargas wants to further refine his game, but it's undeniably that he's already established a high performance benchmark for himself. Even though he wasn't able to get a goal or an assist before the Sounders exited in the group stage at the Club World Cup, he capably went toe to toe with opponents including Champions League winner Vitinha and World Cup winner Rodrigo De Paul. He hopes to be in matchups like that more often in the coming years. 'Now I go back to playing MLS games and I feel like that we should win every game that we play, like, 3-0,' Vargas said of returning to league play, with Seattle having gone unbeaten in five following their elimination. 'We should be scoring a lot. That's where we're at now, and for me, personally, that's where I want to go. So just maintain that standard.' The Sounders expected Vargas to have his suitors if he played up to his usual level this summer. In June, general manager Craig Waibel told the MLS league website that 'we haven't received any official offers yet, but too many teams know about him.' From his conversations, potential partners — especially in Europe — were unsure about how soon he could contribute to their first team. While some may be more convinced after his Club World Cup showing, Vargas said Seattle still hasn't received a formal offer from anybody this summer. Few players are ever comfortable discussing a potential exit from their current club. That's especially true when the player has come through the club's academy, and there's simply no optimal time to leave home. Just ask Trent Alexander-Arnold, who ran his contract out before joining Real Madrid as Liverpool was putting the final touches on a Premier League title. After the move was confirmed, Alexander-Arnold was overwhelmed by how much booing and jeering he faced from an Anfield crowd that had long loved one of their own. Advertisement So first, a disclaimer courtesy of Vargas. 'We're talking about leaving, but I don't want to make people think my head's already somewhere else. I haven't spoken with any clubs right now. My head is definitely with the Sounders.' And yet, it's a topic he's willing to discuss in full. Such is the gravity of a decision he may soon be forced to make. He speaks with a veteran's wisdom, having already endured hard lessons that came with his decision to represent Mexico after playing most of his youth international career with the U.S. 'I mean, that's the hardest thing: trying to make everyone happy,' Vargas said. 'You can't always make everyone happy. I learned that when I made my switch to the Mexican national team. A lot of U.S. people, a lot of former (youth national) teammates of mine, sending me messages like I'm a traitor or whatnot. It's hard. You want to do what's best for you in the moment, but it sometimes means making other people mad.' Over time, Vargas has no regrets about committing to Mexico, despite admitting that while he heard from Gregg Berhalter to vet his interest in the USMNT, he never had a similar conversation with El Tri coach Javier Aguirre or his predecessor, Jaime Lozano. Nor did he consider which team would be more likely to select him for the upcoming World Cup, co-hosted by the two nations as well as Canada. Instead, he trusted his heart. 'When I would play with the U.S., I'd give everything,' Vargas said. 'Do the best I could, always be grateful for them and and always try to show out when I was wearing the U.S. jersey. But I think deep inside, I just had a different feeling when I saw Mexico play, when I saw my parents cheer on Mexico, and I saw my grandparents. It was just always my dream.' To date, Vargas has made just one appearance for Mexico's senior team, coming off the bench in a friendly win over the USMNT last fall. He was cut from the preliminary roster of this spring's Concacaf Nations League and ineligible to play in the Gold Cup as it directly clashed with the Club World Cup. Advertisement Despite the lack of recent involvement, he feels like part of the group that's hoping to restore Mexico to regional prominence ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Vargas has already seen some international teammates at the All-Star hotel, as Liga MX's squad features several active Mexico internationals. He also was happy to see young talent — like 16-year-old Gilberto Mora — feature prominently as Mexico won the Gold Cup a couple weeks ago. 'I think that was that was good for us young guys on the national team radar,' Vargas said, 'that the coach is giving a little bit more confidence to the young guys. Now that means if I come in and do well, he might give me more of a chance, which is great.' This summer transfer window is a pivotal one for any player on the fringes of a potential World Cup squad. The USMNT pool has seen several hopefuls find new clubs, including Patrick Agyemang (Derby County), Malik Tillman (Bayer Leverkusen) and Johnny Cardoso (Atlético Madrid). While Vargas is more than happy to finish the year with Seattle, he would prefer to make a gradual step rather than land at the biggest club possible regardless of fit. 'Right now, I think my eyes are set on Europe,' Vargas said, adding that he'd prefer to join a club in the leagues just below the continent's Big Five competitions. 'But I don't close the doors on Liga MX. I grew up watching mostly Liga MX. My team (Atlético Morelia) is not first division anymore, but one day, if I'm able to play there (in Mexico), I'll happily play there. The pressure is a lot. The fans always show up for their clubs. There's a lot of money in the league.' From there, Vargas immediately shifts his focus back to the present. His top priority is 'to win as much as I can with the Sounders.' Vargas announced his arrival with a vital shift from the bench in the second leg of the 2022 Concacaf Champions League final, but hardware has since eluded Seattle. They came close to returning to MLS Cup last year, suffering a gut-punch defeat away at the LA Galaxy. Amid the current hot stretch, Seattle is back in contention to win the West, contending with the Vancouver Whitecaps, San Diego FC and Minnesota United. At this point, it's seemingly a matter of when, not if, Vargas will venture to a club outside of MLS. That's a reality earned on the back of head-turning performances and an impressive ledger of involvement as a teenage player. Having already endured backlash for one decision, Vargas is confident he can parlay the development he's gotten from Seattle into further greatness — and he backs himself to know when and where that next step should come. 'I've always kind of been a people-pleaser,' Vargas said. 'I've always wanted to make everyone happy around me, but I've gotten to a point where I know that I need to do what's best for me and my family. Once my career is over, no one's gonna care anymore. In 15-20 years, everyone's gonna forget what I did — I mean, unless I made it really, really big time. Advertisement 'I mean, if the right offer comes in the summer, great — the Sounders have to accept as well. It has to be a mutual agreement. But for me, I'm still playing for the Sounders. I want to win as much as I can with the Sounders. It would be amazing to leave as an MLS Cup champion, to leave on a high, which is the best way to leave. 'I'm definitely focused on that and trying to win as much with the Sounders, because they've given me everything. They've given me this platform to grow and be here as an All-Star, representing them. So I have a job to do.'
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Musovski scores 2 goals, de la Vega adds 1 goal, 1 assist, Sounders beats Earthquakes 3-2
SEATTLE (AP) — Danny Musovski scored two goals, his first multi-goal game since 2020, Pedro de la Vega added a goal and an assists and the Seattle Sounders beat the San Jose Earthquakes 3-2 on Wednesday night. San Jose (7-9-8) is winless in six straight. De la Vega, on a breakaway, slipped a shot from outside the area inside the back post to cap the scoring in the 69th minute. San Jose's Preston Judd opened the scoring in the 26th minute but Danny Musovski answered for the Sounders (10-6-7) in the 28th to make it 1-1. Jamar Ricketts played a low cross from the left side to the near post where Judd put away a first-touch shot before Musovski beat defender Dave Romney and goalkeeper Daniel De Sousa Britto — known simply as 'Daniel' — to an arcing ball in played by Albert Rusnák and scored on a header into a wide-open net. After Musovski made it 2-1 in the 54th minute when, on the counter-attack, he headed home an entry pass played in by de la Vega from the center of the area. Cristian Arango responded for San Jose to tie it at 2-2 in the 64th minute. Cristian Espinoza played a free kick to Judd in the center of the area for a header, but goalkeeper Andrew Thomas made a diving one-hand parry before Arango slammed home the putback from point-blank range. The Earthquakes had their seven-game (4-0-3) unbeaten streak against Seattle snapped. The Sounders are 16-15-10 all-time against San Jose. Daniel stopped six shots for San Jose. Thomas made his third consecutive start in place of Stefan Frei (concussion protocol) and had four saves for the Sounders. Nouhou (red card - violent conduct) and Jackson Ragen (yellow card accumulation) served suspensions for the Sounders. The Sounders and San Jose played to a 1-1 tie on March 29. ___ AP soccer:
Newsweek
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
How to Watch Seattle Sounders FC vs Colorado Rapids: Live Stream MLS, TV Channel
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Seattle Sounders FC (9-6-6, 33 points) host the Colorado Rapids (8-5-10, 29 points) at Lumen Field on Wednesday, in a matchup with Western Conference playoff implications. Chidozie Awaziem #6 of Colorado Rapids and Danny Musovski #19 of Seattle Sounders run for the ball during the first half at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on April 26, 2025 in Commerce City, Colorado. Chidozie Awaziem #6 of Colorado Rapids and Danny Musovski #19 of Seattle Sounders run for the ball during the first half at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on April 26, 2025 in Commerce City, Colorado. Photo byHow to Watch Seattle Sounders FC vs Colorado Rapids When: Wednesday, July 16, 2025 Time: 10:00 PM ET Where: Lumen Field TV Channel: Fox Sports 1 Live Stream: Fubo (TRY FOR FREE) Seattle has put together a solid campaign, currently sitting fourth in the Western Conference with 33 points. The Sounders come into this game after a thrilling 3-2 victory over Sporting Kansas City, where Jordan Morris, Albert Rusnák, and Jesús Ferreira all found the net. Overall, Seattle boasts a record of 9 wins, 6 draws, and 6 losses, scoring 31 goals while conceding 28 for a goal difference of +3. Their attack has averaged 1.40 goals per match, with six clean sheets so far this season, and the defense is anchored by goalkeeper Andrew Thomas, who has 54 saves and a 65% save rate The Rapids, currently seventh in the West with 29 points, are coming off a 3-0 home win against the Vancouver Whitecaps. The performance was highlighted by goals from Calvin Harris, Rafael Navarro, and Andreas Maxsø. Colorado holds an 8-5-10 record, with 29 goals scored this season. On the road, the Rapids have faced difficulties but have picked up important points, including six wins from 11 away games. Live stream Seattle Sounders FC vs Colorado Rapids on Fubo: Start your free trial now! Regional restrictions may apply. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Why Crew's Wilfried Nancy agreed to end game vs Sounders after Stefan Frei's injury
The Crew's 1-1 draw against the Seattle Sounders ended with a frightening scene: Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei was taken off the field in an ambulance, leading both coaches to decide to end the game prematurely. More than seven minutes into stoppage time, the Crew took a free kick from outside the Sounders' box. As multiple Crew and Sounders players, including Frei, attempted to make a play on the ball near the Sounders' goal, Crew midfielder Amar Sejdic's knee collided with Frei's head. Advertisement More Columbus Crew: Columbus Crew 3-game winning streak snapped with draw vs Seattle Sounders: Replay Frei went to the ground. Sounders players immediately indicated the 39-year-old needed medical attention. After being helped by medical staff for more than five minutes, an ambulance was brought out at Lumen Field. Medics gather around Seattle Sounders FC goalkeeper Stefan Frei. Given that the previous play had ended with the Crew being awarded a corner kick, the game was technically supposed to continue despite passing the announced seven minutes of stoppage time. Crew coach Wilfried Nancy and Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer agreed the severity of Frei's injury warranted the game ending there. "When we see that, football is not important," Nancy said. "I asked what happened because I didn't see. After that, I told them that I am ready to stop the game because this is not important, that's it." Advertisement Following the game, Schmetzer stated Frei was being evaluated for a head and neck injury but was alert while leaving the field. Frei himself later posted on social media that he was "still trying to figure out what happened at the end of the game." He added he was "back home resting." The draw marked the end of the Crew's three-game winning streak. Forward Diego Rossi recorded the Crew's lone goal in the 27th minute, and Sounders midfielder Paul Rothrock evened the score two minutes before the end of first-half regulation. Diego Rossi continues to lead Columbus Crew in offensive production Rossi was making a run on the right side of the Sounders' box toward the goalpost when forward Ibrahim Aliyu launched a cross in his direction. Getting the ball with Frei slightly out of position, Rossi converted the pass into his team-leading 10th goal of the regular season. Crew forward Diego Rossi, here passing the ball against the Sounders July 6, leads Columbus with 10 goals. Rossi has been counted on to take over offensively since striker Cucho Hernandez transferred to La Liga's Real Betis during the offseason, and while the 27-year-old Rossi does lead the team, he has hit occasional dry spells. Advertisement "This is about trust and being patient," Nancy said. "He didn't train well, I would say, this week because he had a bit of pain somewhere. After that, he told me that he was ready to go. To be honest, my plan was to play him only 45 minutes, but he felt good. The goal that he scored ... if he doesn't score here, we have an issue." Rossi ranks in the top 15 for scoring in MLS. BLACK & GOLD: Sign up for our weekly Columbus Crew newsletter Columbus Crew failed to capitalize on Seattle Sounders being down to 10 players Prior to the final free kick, the Crew had five minutes in which Seattle was down a player. Defender Kalani Kossa-Rienzi had been shown his second yellow card, ejecting him from the matchup. Advertisement The Crew controlled the possession by over 82% when Seattle had only ten players on the field, but Columbus struggled to create any solid scoring opportunities, recording just one shot during that span. Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei made two saves against the Crew before an ambulance took him off the field with a head/neck injury. "They made some changes and brought some speed on the field," Crew midfielder Darlington Nagbe said. "So, I think we were maybe cautious of that. I think we could have pushed a little bit more to get more numbers in the box. It's just the weird balance of getting the point on the road versus potentially losing the game." Seattle Sounders' turf field impacts Columbus Crew's approach to matchup For the first time since facing Charlotte FC at Bank of America Stadium on May 24, the Crew were playing on a turf field rather than grass. Crew goalkeeper Evan Bush described the turf in Seattle as being like "playing on sand." Seattle has one of the six turf fields in MLS, but the stadium switched to grass to host FIFA Club World Cup games last month. Crew players hoped in vain that the field would remain grass for their matchup. Advertisement "Those little things on grass fields you get used to are a little bit more difficult for the teams that don't play on turf regularly." Crew goalkeeper Evan Bush said. "I think we dealt with it pretty well for the most part. This turf also was a little bit softer and a little bit thicker with the rubber in it. A lot of guys had some lower leg, calf, type of stuff because that explosion out of it. It's almost like you're playing on sand at times." The Crew go back on the road for a Hell is Real rivalry matchup against FC Cincinnati on July 12. bmackay@ @brimackay15 This story was updated with new information. Advertisement Get more Columbus Crew content by listening to our podcast This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Crew-Seattle Sounders game called after Stefan Frei injury
Scottish Sun
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Footballer given straight red card for throwing ball at FAN before ‘sticking finger up at referee'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A FOOTBALLER was sent off for throwing a ball at a fan before appearing to stick up his middle finger at the referee. Seattle Sounders star Nouhou Tolo received a straight red card in an MLS match against Sporting Kansas City. 3 Seattle Sounders star Nouhou Tolo threw a ball at a fan 3 He was sent off for the offence 3 Nouhou attempted to explain the fan had shown him in the middle finger The defender was sent off in the fourth minute of stoppage time at the end of the match with his side leading 3-1. Nouhou, 28, picked up the ball and threw it at a Sporting fan standing behind the goal. The linesman immediately rushed over to calm the situation and informed the referee of the incident. Ref Elijio Arreguin then brandished a red card as Nouhou protested his innocence. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL slayed in chelsea Norwich defender in bloody battle with Made in Chelsea star's husband The 28-year-old raised his middle finger, appearing to explain that is what the fan had done to provoke him. Sounders boss Brian Schmetzer explained post-match that the fan did give Nouhou the middle finger. He said: "A fan flipped him off and then he threw a ball into the stands. "I will deal with Nouhou internally." BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS The incident occurred as officials reviewed the decision to award Sporting a penalty. The call was upheld and the spot-kick was converted, but there was not enough time for the hosts to grab an equaliser as Sounders won 3-2.
