When midfielder Marlon Vargas (17) inked his contract with Seattle Sounders FC 2 on May 11, he became the fourth Sounders Academy player from the 2001/02 class to turn professional with the club. His U-17 teammates — Azriel Gonzalez (17), Ray Serrano (16) and Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez (16) — had all signed with S2 at various points throughout the past 12 months. And in all likelihood, several more players from this U-17 team will follow in their footsteps and sign with S2 in the coming years.
“I looked up to Azriel, Alfonso and Ray because I wanted to get to where they were and now I’m here,” said Vargas, who was one of six S2 players called up to the First Team to participate in the Fourth Round of the U.