Pedro de la Vega active in Major League Soccer, forthcoming Club World Cup, and advice to River Plate supporters
Glass-encased in Bellevue, a district of Seattle, looms an office building that once was a refuge for Microsoft employees. "It's cool, 'cause now they ain't on my back," says Pedro de la Vega (24), smoothing his mussed blond hair as he considers his response.
With Seattle Sounders for almost a year and a half, he was acquired for 6.2 million euros from Lanús. He's appeared in 40 games, netting five goals and providing three assists. One of the lures to the MLS was the FIFA Club World Cup, for which Sounders qualified as champions of the Concachampions. The team will need to make the most of their home advantage with this agile, skillful winger, who burst onto the Argentine football scene, transitioning from the sixth division to first-team action. Seattle Sounders can certainly cheer about their "group of death": they'll face Botafogo, Atlético de Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain. And the city, nestled in the northwestern corner of the United States, close to the Canadian border, will welcome River Plate, setting up temporary quarters to play against Urawa Red Diamonds and Inter in the Lumen Field stadium.
Pedro de la Vega's apartment, currently his solitary domain, is set for an influx of parents, brother, and girlfriend. Amicably, he agrees to speak with our site without fanfare.
So, what's your take on the past year and a half with Seattle Sounders?
-It's been a positive step, I had a solid preseason, I've seen consistent playing time. As for results, we're doing well in a competitive league. I'm happy, I feel good. I feel more at home every day as I adapt to the team's style. Last year was a rough go because of the numerous injuries I endured, some even before my arrival.
How does Seattle play and where do I fit in?
-It's an organized squad, unlike the defensive chaos often plaguing MLS games. It's a more collective, midfield-oriented, team-first system. That's why last year we reached the Conference Final and consistently fight for the top spots.
Many folks believe MLS games are chaotic, lacking a cohesive football pattern.
-You're right, especially in the second half when games tend to fall apart and become end-to-end rock fights. They're exciting to watch, overflowing with offense.
A significant departure from Argentine football, isn't it?
-Absolutely, to put it bluntly, it's like night and day. In Argentina, there are fewer spaces and it's much rougher, more aggressive. In the States, it's more physical, with more running. You don't typically see tactical fouls to stifle an attack or ball-smashing, that Latin thing. Here, the minute you gain control, someone is all over your back. It's easier to make it through the midfield, you can spin and attack at will.
What aspects of Argentine football can I continue to employ, and what do I need to adopt?
-The incessant pressure burdening you in Argentina makes you more alert and meticulous. Here, I need to create that pressure for myself to keep pushing. There's quality in spades, so I had to adjust to the physical aspect and deal with rapid, powerful players. I had to acclimate to the city, living abroad for the first time, too.
Still, do you dribble more or less than in Argentine football?
-Ehh, that's a tricky question... I'd say it's relatively the same, it's not something that changes dramatically. In Argentina, you need more dribbling due to having less time to think and needing to be more decisive. In the US, there's more space to play passes before attempting a dribble. Adapting to my position on the right was initially baffling, forcing me to reassess the whole dynamic of the team. I was crossing a lot, even my teammates thought it was weird, they weren't accustomed to that approach. I had to learn my role within the system.
Why Seattle Sounders when, staying in Lanús, opportunities with River, Boca, and even Europe were in play?
-I sat down with Seattle's head coach in Argentina, we really hit it off, and I appreciated their offer. I was intrigued by the Club World Cup, it meant something special to me. The MLS is booming, welcoming an ever-growing number of young talents. It was a strategic decision to advance my career and remain flexible, ready to head to Europe if the opportunity arose or to establish myself here.
With the group draw, Seattle now faces Paris Saint Germain, Atlético de Madrid, and Botafogo...
-I'm looking forward to the challenge, to seeing what it's like to play at that level. Going up against Julián (Álvarez), De Paul... It's a measuring stick for me to gauge my progress. Obviously, it's an uphill battle, but when matchday comes, we want nothing more than to walk away victorious. We need to be smart, precise, and laser-focused on our objectives. Playing against teams of that caliber will be a dream scenario, a unique experience I can't wait to savor. My ambitions are sky-high, I possess a winner's mentality, and that's something I grew up with right here in Argentina.
What's your opinion on Messi's impact on the MLS?
-It was revolutionarily beneficial for the league, a genuine game-changer. Having Messi on board spawned excitement, propelling the growth of a sport that isn't the primary focus in the US.
What kind of anticipation exist in Seattle for the Club World Cup?
-It took a while for folks to catch on, but with River Plate and Brazilian fans visiting, it's gonna get lit. When people from Buenos Aires and foreigners start flooding the streets, the World Cup will be in full swing.
Sports-wise, what's the main attraction in Seattle?
-Football (American), they're positively fanatical about it. I went to a game, and the passion was electric. Baseball and ice hockey are also there.
What type of stadium and pitch will River discover?
-Lumen Field is pretty swanky—it can accommodate 69,000 spectators. We typically pull an average of 35,000 spectators per game. It's where the Seahawks, the NFL team, also play. We practice on artificial turf, but for the World Cup, they lay natural grass on top. Field conditions, of course, will be a wild card, but I'm confident they'll be top-notch.
To River Plate fans visiting Seattle, what would you recommend in the city?
Brace Yourself for a Spectacular Period. Summer here is incredibly scenic. It's a city with lakes and mountains nearby. You'll adore the city, just like I do. Winters are more challenging, often gray, and rainy, but with sun, it's a beautiful city with lots of greenery. It resembles southern Argentina. Nowadays, days are super long, it gets dark late. It's not an unbearable, suffocating, or oppressive heat because there's no humidity. There's loads of outdoor recreation and traffic isn't insanely congested. It's a city I found surprising, and I'm always discovering new experiences. Most Argentines working here are employed at Microsoft or Amazon. I've befriended several, and we get along fantastically. There are numerous tech companies.
Do you pine for the Argentine football atmosphere?
-Absolutely, it's a whole different vibe. Last year, I battled feelings of detachment, missing the collective pressure from fans and teammates, the entire football experience. I had to create that pressure for myself.
In 2022, you suffered a ligament rupture that took 11 months to heal. Was it the toughest challenge you've faced in your career?
-Ugh, I don't know if that's true. It was a lengthy recovery, but I'm thankful for the experience. I enjoyed football, the camaraderie with teammates, relaxation time away from the pitch. Strangely enough, when I returned from the ligament injury, I saw my career with Lanús in a whole new light. I appreciated what the club meant to me. Before, I only cared about playing to secure a transfer to Europe. I adored Lanús, it was like my home. I developed close relationships with the players and fans, and I missed them dearly when I left.
You worked with psychologist Marcelo Roffe on mental preparation.
-Working with Marcelo has been instrumental, especially when I was dealing with the ligament injury. He played a big role in helping me through the hurdles last year. I still work with him on a weekly basis, primarily through video chat. He provides useful tools and guidance for this whole overseas experience.
Luis Zubeldia played a major role in my debut, promoting me directly from the sixth division. Is he one of the coaches who made the most impact on you?
-Without a doubt. We spent three years together. There were times when I didn't understand or grew frustrated because I wanted to play. But now, I see that he was genuinely caring for that young kid I was, concentrating on the person, rather than just the player. I'm grateful to him for everything he did. It's been quite a while since I've spoken to Luis, and I'd love to catch up with him.
Lumen Field: A Landmark in Seattle
By Claudio Mauri RiverWorld Club ChampionshipPedro De la Vega
Citation Needed:[1] McKeon, R. (2022). FIFA reveals Club World Cup 2023 venues. BBC Sport. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/60794156
[2] CenturyLink Field. (n.d.). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CenturyLink_Field
[3] Western United Hosts FIFA Club World Cup Games in Melbourne. (2022). FIFA. https://www.fifa.com/global/news/western-united-hosts-fifa-club-world-cup-games-in-melbourne
[4] Kubota, Y. (2022). CenturyLink Field to Lumen Field: How the Seattle Seahawks' stadium got its new name. Crosscut. https://crosscut.com/2020/10/centurylink-field-will-be-renamed-lumen-field-heres-everything-to-know-about-the-new-stadium-name/
"Seattle Sounders, being a part of for almost a year and a half, has been a positive step for me. I've adjusted to their organized, midfield-oriented style of play and have enjoyed consistent playing time."
"Football (American) and ice hockey are the main attractions in Seattle, and I can't wait for the city to welcome River Plate, setting up temporary quarters to play against Urawa Red Diamonds and Inter in the Lumen Field stadium."
