SBI Breakdown: Sounders sign Pedro de la Vega as Young Designated Player

The Seattle Sounders have retained their entire starting lineup from 2023 and are only getting better ahead of 2024 behind newly appointed General Manager and Chief Soccer Officer, Craig Waibel.

As of today, the new regime has made its first major move with the $6 million addition of Argentinian youth international winger Pedro de la Vega as a Young Designated Player (YDP) on a contract through 2027.

De la Vega, 22, is an exciting, direct winger who recorded six goals and three assists for Lanus in Argentina’s top flight last season. Though the Sounders were in no rush to complete the signing, they believe de la Vega is the perfect complement to their current setup.

Undoubtedly the Argentinian’s top attribute is his dribbling. Able to play on either wing, often favoring the left, de la Vega enjoys nothing more than torturing helpless defenders who can’t keep up with his electric pace. With a profile not too dissimilar from Sounders winger Léo Chú, the pair could wreak havoc on opponent fullbacks while creating chances for Jordan Morris or Raul Ruidiaz up top.

But de la Vega can do more than dribble.

He’s an adept finisher in the box when the ball falls to him, having scored with each foot and his head for Lanus, and can hit a shot from long range as well. Aside from dribbling, however, his passing vision stands out.

The 22-year-old can pick a final pass from anywhere in the attacking half, whether with a cutback cross, aerial longball, or line-splitting through ball. This is often where the beauty in his game comes out, assisting his striker with trivelas on a regular basis, partly due to a reliance on his dominant right foot.

The Argentinian did suffer a muscle tear on international duty with his country’s U-23 Olympic squad and had to be pulled from camp but the injury does not look as serious as originally thought and should not concern the Sounders. Originally expected to miss the entire preseason, reports suggest the 22-year-old could be ready by the start of Seattle’s preseason training in Marbella, Spain.

The sooner we get to see him suit up the better for Sounders fans. De la Vega hasn’t stepped foot on an MLS pitch yet but he’s arguably the best Young DP in the league already.

The Argentinian’s roster designation only adds to the impressive nature of his acquisition. Replacing an aging Nicolas Lodeiro – a DP who did not start for Seattle last season – with a talented 22-year-old Argentinian already looks great on paper. When you remember that replacing a DP with a young DP opens up two additional U22 initiative roster slots, the Sounders signing de la Vega becomes one of the most clever pieces of business in the league this offseason.

Waibel is showing great promise as the Sounders top man and will be expected to continue his relaxed negotiation style in filling those U22 slots or any other moves he makes. If the right player isn’t available in the winter, he’ll wait for the summer. That’s the mentality he brought to negotiations with Lanus and it worked out perfectly.

The Sounders got their man at the price they wanted. Now it’s time for fans to sit back and enjoy the development of one of Argentina’s most promising talents right in front of their eyes at Lumen Field.