Whose stock went up or down at the Club World Cup?
On our postgame show following Seattle's final group-stage match vs. PSG at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, we did an interesting thought exercise.
Before the tournament, we talked about some of the players we felt had the most to prove with their performances on the global stage. The names we discussed were Obed Vargas, Ryan Kent, and Pedro de la Vega. Just for fun, I'll throw in Cristian Roldan, since his dynamic form of late has his name coming up once again in US men's national team discussions.
With the tournament now over, we can check back in and see where all four ended up after getting run against some of the world's best competition.
Obed Vargas
Stock: Up
With overseas transfer buzz raging around Seattle's 19-year-old Mexico international midfielder, this tournament was an ideal platform for Vargas to drive up what will be a lofty price for interested clubs. While I wouldn't say Vargas played so well that the price skyrocketed, he certainly did nothing to diminish it. He never looked out of his depth at any point in any of the three games – a testament to his skill level and experience for his age.
Pedro de la Vega
Stock: Down
The Argentine DP has had some really good moments this season, and I'm not among those who feel he should be fully written off just yet. However, I did think it was strange that he didn't see the field at all in the PSG game. I don't know what to read into that, but it's just inherently a situation where you don't expect a $7 million player not to feature. The talent is clearly there; it just remains a matter of tapping into it consistently. It wasn't a great CWC for PDLV, but he's still got the rest of the season to flip the narrative.
Ryan Kent
Stock: Down
I stand by everything I said regarding our excitement after Ryan Kent's first few games with the Sounders. He looked incredible, like he just might be one of the biggest steals an MLS club has managed in years on the transfer market. Since then, he's cooled down, and he didn't really heat back up in the tournament. The Englishman showed such high quality in those early games, and recapturing that is going to be paramount for this team's chances of truly contending this year. Teams have adjusted to him, so the Sounders now have to adjust back.
Cristian Roldan
Stock: Skyrocketed
What's even left to say about the stalwart midfielder? That was honestly an incredible tournament for CR7. He was all over the field every single game doing his customary dirty work in tracking back and winning possession, and scored a great goal against Botafogo that will stand out as one of the best moments of the tournament. Some out there aren't going to want to admit it, but Roldan should absolutely be called back into the USMNT. If the argument against that was that he can't do it against high-level competition (something that was never true to begin with), he unequivocally has dispelled that narrative. He was fantastic against Botafogo and PSG, and was the best player on the field on either club against Atlético Madrid.
Use our affiliate links to support your bloggers when buying merch and tickets.
Enjoying this content?
Sign up to get it delivered to your inbox everyday.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Catching up on Sounder at Heart
Here's what you missed on the site this week.
Sounders
Next match: Saturday, June 28 vs. Austin FC | 7:30 pm PT | MLS Season Pass
- Out, but not down: Sounders fall to PSG
- A World Apart
- Lobbing Scorchers Kickoff: Reacting to Seattle Sounders vs. PSG
- Sounders vs. Paris Saint-Germain: Highlights, stats and quotes
This newsletter was made possible through the support of Full Pull Wines, a boutique wines reseller that has been sponsoring us since 2011.
Reign
Next match: Friday, August 1 vs. Angel City FC | 7:30 pm PT | Prime Video
- Reign overthrow Royals, 4-1
- Reign at Royals: Highlights, stats, quotes
- Valkyratings: Fighting for the result
Defiance
Next match: Sunday, June 29 at LAFC 2 | 1 pm PT | MLS Season Pass
Looking back at the news
Everything else you need to know
One night at Pumas: When MLS & Seattle Sounders FC changed forever (MLSSoccer)
Why the Club World Cup means so much to South American teams (ESPN)
USMNT winger Tim Weah describes ‘weird’ press conference with Donald Trump (Awful Announcing)
How Julio Rodríguez became friends with soccer star Antoine Griezmann (Seattle Times)
How a Seattle company is bringing live sports action to vision-impaired fans (Seattle Times)
How Sam Meza's move home to Dallas set a path to the USWNT (Squad Depth)
Matt Doyle on the Gold Cup & the Club World Cup (Armchair Analyst: Tactics Free Zone)
Seattle Memorial Stadium final project plans approved, public goodbye planned (KOMO News)