After the conclusion of the 2018 Generation adidas Cup, in which the Seattle Sounders Academy U-17s won the Premier Division, Major League Soccer named Academy standout Marlon Vargas as one of five names to know. Fellow Academy star and recent S2 signee Ray Serrano was named one of the 10 players to watch heading into the tournament.
“The Golden Ball winner in the Premier Division, Vargas proved to be the star for a Sounders team that has two players signed to professional contracts (Azriel Gonzalez, Serrano). The left winger was involved in both of Seattle's goals in the final against the New York Red Bulls, finishing a rebound in the box and playing a ball over-the-top to allow his forward to get by the opposing backline.