FRISCO, Texas - FC Dallas added its third new winger of the offseason with the loan acquisition of Freddy "Pico" Vargas from Deportivo Lara as the club continues to build for the 2021 season.
Vargas is a 21-year-old Venezuelan youth international who – much like FCD's first offseason signing Jáder Obrian – brings speed and directness to Dallas' attack.
"He’s a player that can a change a game at any moment with a change of speed, pace and courage to take people on," said head coach Luchi Gonzalez of his newest addition. "He's great in 1v1s, explosive, creative and can do things individually but also is good in combination. He has vision and can play-make as well. He’s a player that’s not just comfortable on the wing, he’s comfortable in interior channels where there’s more traffic. So we think he’s a great fit."
Vargas typically lined up on the left wing for his previous club, allowing him to cut inside on his favored right foot to bring other players into play or take a shot himself. Considering Obrian is predominately a right-sided winger – and that Dallas parted ways with its previous two left-sided players in Santiago Mosquera and Fafa Picault– it's likely we'll see Vargas ply his trade from the left for FC Dallas as well.
Although still young, Vargas brings Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana experience to Toyota Stadium from his four seasons with Deportivo Lara. And while his five goals and four assists over 76 games don't jump off the page, it's important to keep in mind that Vargas is still only 21 and has plenty of tools to grow under Luchi and co. Plus, in 2020, he led the entire Venezuelan first division in Key Passes (19, Successful Dribbles, (75), Expected Assists (9) (courtesy of FUTVE English). Since the one-year loan includes an option to buy Vargas outright, the deal represents a savvy low risk, high reward option for FC Dallas.
"We think he has great potential in this league and for this club to make an impact," Luchi added. "The young man is very excited to join and take his next step. As a young player, he’s already made a big impact for his club in Venezuela at the senior level, scoring goals and assisting. He plays with protagonism, he influences the game and is a competitor. He’s still young, he can still learn, but with a good process and support, he has all the tools to be very successful here."
