Léo Chú has come a long way since his arrival to the Seattle Sounders organization in 2021.
At only 23-years-old, the Brazilian winger has become a vital asset to the Sounders offense.
“He’s a tremendous talent,” said Head Coach Brian Schmetzer.
Whether it be through his ability to take on players 1-v-1, his speed to blow by opposition or his ball distribution in the final third, Chú’s impact in the attacking buildup is undeniable.
“He’s a lefty, a true winger, a player that gets in behind, and a player that is dynamic,” said midfielder Cristian Roldan. “We have a lot of runners and a lot of guys that want the ball to their feet, but we don't have a lot of dribblers and Léo shows that.”
Chú has made big strides this year for the Seattle squad, contributing to five goals and eight assists so far this season.
The winger’s confidence in front of the net has been on display, with statistics indicating he has an expected goal (xG) rate of 4.4 and an expected assisted goal (xAG) rate of 5.5.
“His finishing and final pass have gotten a lot better,” said Roldan. “We always felt that he was dangerous 1-v-1 but we do think that his crossing has gotten a lot better and his knack for getting chances.”
His on-the-field contributions have been crucial in the team’s success this year, but his presence off the pitch is something of importance when it comes to the overall comradery of the Sounders squad.
“He's always willing to help the team in any way he can and he's just a positive spark in the locker room,” said Roldan. “That's what you need in guys. You need to have a great locker room presence when things aren't going right.”
It’s arguably been a breakout season for the Brazilian player, but that won’t stop him from continuing to improve and reach even greater heights.
“He could definitely have a breakout to his breakout,” said Roldan. “He's a quality player and a young player that still has a lot to learn.”
Schmetzer believes the best is yet to come.
“He's got a lot of room to grow. He's got a big upside.”
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