Player Spotlight: Marlon Vargas leads Defiance to first MLS NEXT Pro playoffs

When it comes to loyalty to the Seattle Sounders organization, Tacoma Defiance midfielder Marlon Vargas embodies that quality about as much as anyone.

The 21-year-old found himself at a career crossroads when Defiance moved from the USL Championship to the MLS NEXT Pro before the start of the 2022 season. would have kept in the USL.

As it turns out, Vargas made the decision to stay with Tacoma, where he thrived as one of the league’s top forwards during the club’s first MLS NEXT Pro campaign, which ended in a selection of the best XI and a place in the playoffs (TICKETS).

“I think the first thing that comes to mind when this type of transition happened and MLS NEXT Pro started and we were one of the first teams to play in this league in the first year, that’s is that Marlon, he stayed loyal,” the Sounders vice president said. Player development Henry Brauner told SoundersFC.com “He signed a contract, the contract said you’re going to play for this club for that duration, and he stuck to that.

“There is a level of honor and integrity there that we knew he always had and that was proven by his willingness to honor his touch, to stay with the club and now he is the one of the most dynamic and versatile players in MLS NEXT Pro,” he added. “He gave himself a lot of options, not only here, but also elsewhere. And again, he’s 21 and has played over 80 professional games, so he’s well positioned in that sense.

Vargas’ importance to the club goes beyond what he provides on the stat sheet, where he registered 12 goals and six assists in 23 games.

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