Obed Vargas

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Gomez and the second or maternal family name is Vargas.
Obed Vargas
Personal information
Full name Obed Gomez Vargas[1]
Date of birth (2005-08-05) August 5, 2005[1]
Place of birth Anchorage, Alaska, U.S.
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)[1]
Position Central midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Atlético Madrid
Number 21
Youth career
Cook Inlet SC
2019–2021 Seattle Sounders FC
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021 Tacoma Defiance 28 (0)
2021–2026 Seattle Sounders FC 92 (4)
2026– Atlético Madrid 2 (0)
International career‡
2022 United States U20 9 (0)
2023 United States U23 2 (1)
2024– Mexico U20 5 (0)
2024– Mexico U23 3 (0)
2024– Mexico 3 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 23:11, February 15, 2026 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals as of January 22, 2026

Obed Gomez Vargas (born August 5, 2005) is a professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for La Liga club Atlético Madrid. Born in the United States, he represents the Mexico national team.[2]

Vargas joined the academy of Seattle Sounders FC in Major League Soccer and signed a contract for their reserve team, Tacoma Defiance, in 2021. He made his MLS debut that same year at the age of 15 years old and later became a regular starter for the Sounders, where he played for five seasons. In 2026, he joined Spanish side Atlético Madrid.

Club career

Seattle Sounders FC

Born in Anchorage, Alaska, Vargas began his career with Cook Inlet Soccer Club; he also traveled to Arizona to play in youth tournaments where he was later scouted.[3][4] He moved to Washington and joined the youth academy for Major League Soccer club Seattle Sounders FC at the age of 14.[4] Vargas played in the academy for two seasons before signing a professional contract with Sounders FC reserve side Tacoma Defiance on May 7, 2021.[5] Two days later, he made his senior debut for Tacoma Defiance in the USL Championship against LA Galaxy II. Vargas started and played 66 minutes as the match ended in a 1–1 draw.[6]

He made his MLS debut for Seattle on July 22, 2021, as one of several Tacoma Defiance players called up to the Sounders for a match against Austin FC to replace injured players. At 15 years and 351 days old, Vargas was the third-youngest player in MLS history.[3] He signed a formal Homegrown Player contract with the Sounders in December and became a starter for the team in the first matches of the 2022 season, playing in two CONCACAF Champions League fixtures. Head coach Brian Schmetzer described Vargas' play style as similar to that of Cristian Roldan's rookie season, adding he was "going to be a tremendous player for our club".[7] He was an early substitute in the second leg of the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League final, which the Sounders won 3–0 at home.[8]

Vargas made 13 appearances through late June, when a stress facture in his back prevented him from continuing with the team. He was also unable to join the under-20 national team in the CONCACAF U-20 Championship.[9] Vargas returned for the 2023 season but played in few matches, including only 24 minutes in the MLS Cup playoffs.[10] He regained the starting position in midfield for the 2024 season and scored his first career MLS goal on April 30, 2024, against the Philadelphia Union, in a match that was originally started a month earlier but postponed due to heavy rain.[11][12] Vargas played over 3,000 minutes for the Sounders in the 2024 season and was ranked seventh in the MLS 22 Under 22 list at the end of the regular season.[13] He was suspended for the first match of the 2024 playoffs after receiving two yellow card in a match against the Portland Timbers.[14]

During the 2025 regular season, Vargas started in 26 matches and finished second on the team in minutes played.[15] He was a starter for Seattle's three matches in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup group stage and played for the team's entire 2025 Leagues Cup run, where the Sounders won the title.[16] Vargas was named to the roster for the 2025 MLS All-Star Game and played in the match; he was also ranked first in the 2025 MLS 22 Under 22 list.[17] Vargas was also a finalist for the 2025 MLS Young Player of the Year Award.[15] In his five seasons with the Sounders, Vargas scored 8 goals in 130 appearances across all competitions.[16]

Atlético Madrid

On February 2, 2026, La Liga club Atlético Madrid announced the signing of Vargas on a four-and-a-half-year contract in the closing hours of the transfer window.[16][18] He had rejected an earlier offer from Club América of Liga MX to pursue a career in the European leagues.[19] Vargas previously stated that Atlético Madrid had been his favorite team as a child; he also played against them in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.[16] He made his debut for Atlético as a substitute in the 79th minute of a Copa del Rey quarterfinal match against Real Betis.[20]

International career

Youth

Vargas was eligible to represent both Mexico and the United States at the international level. In March 2020, Vargas was selected to participate in the United States national under-15 team camp.[21] He was called up by the United States national under-20 team in January 2022.[7] On October 8, 2023, Vargas was called up to the United States national under-23 team ahead of friendlies against Mexico national under-23 and Japan national under-23 teams.[22]

On May 21, 2024, Vargas completed a one-time switch from the United States to Mexico.[2] On June 20, Vargas was called up to the Mexico national under-20 team ahead of friendlies against the Liga TDP, Cruz Azul under-23 and Atlético Morelia teams in preparation for the 2024 CONCACAF U-20 Championship.[23] On August 29, Vargas was called up to the Mexico national under-23 team ahead of two friendlies against the Panama national under-23 team scheduled for September 6 and 10.[24]

In 2025, Vargas was called up by coach Eduardo Arce to represent Mexico at the FIFA U-20 World Cup held in Chile.[25]

Senior

Upon completing his FIFA one-time switch, in early October 2024, Vargas receives his first call-up to the senior national team for October 11 and 15 friendly matches against Spanish club Valencia CF and the United States respectively. Vargas is the first Alaskan to ever play for a national team.[26] On October 15, Vargas makes his senior Mexico debut entering in the 83rd minute for Jesús Angulo in a friendly match against the United States, which Mexico won 2–0.[27]

Personal life

Vargas is of Mexican descent and holds dual U.S. and Mexican citizenship. He is set to receive Spanish citizenship during 2026, being eligible due to his mother holding Spanish citizenship.[28] His father played for the youth academy of Monarcas Morelia; his younger brother and two sisters also play soccer.[7][29]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played February 15, 2026[30]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Tacoma Defiance 2021 USL Championship 28 0 — — — 28 0
Seattle Sounders FC 2021 Major League Soccer 1 0 — — — 1 0
2022 Major League Soccer 13 0 1 0 7[b] 0 — 21 0
2023 Major League Soccer 22 0 1 0 — 4[c] 0 27 0
2024 Major League Soccer 30 1 2 0 — 8[d] 1 40 2
2025 Major League Soccer 26 3 — 3[b] 0 12[e] 3 41 6
Total 92 4 4 0 10 0 24 4 130 8
Atlético Madrid 2025–26 La Liga 2 0 1 0 0 0 — 3 0
Career total 122 4 5 0 10 0 24 4 161 8
  1. ^ Includes U.S. Open Cup, Copa del Rey
  2. ^ a b Appearances in CONCACAF Champions League/Cup
  3. ^ Two appearances in Leagues Cup, two appearances in MLS Cup playoffs
  4. ^ Five appearances and one goal in Leagues Cup, three appearances in MLS Cup playoffs
  5. ^ Three appearances in FIFA Club World Cup, six appearances and one goal in Leagues Cup, three appearances and two goals in MLS Cup playoffs

International

As of match played January 22, 2026[31]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Mexico 2024 1 0
2025 1 0
2026 1 0
Total 3 0

Honours

Seattle Sounders FC

Individual

References

  1. ^ a b c "Squad List – FIFA U-20 World Cup Argentina 2023: USA" (PDF). FIFA. May 18, 2023. p. 23. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 19, 2023. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
  2. ^ a b "USMNT loses highly rated Sounders midfielder Vargas to Mexico". June 12, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Bragg, Beth (July 24, 2021). "15-year-old Anchorage boy starts for Seattle Sounders to make Major League Soccer history". Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  4. ^ a b Deossa, Andy (July 17, 2024). "Obed Vargas blossoms with Seattle Sounders: The Pathway". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
  5. ^ Foss, Tim (May 7, 2021). "Defiance add two Academy products". Sounder at Heart. Archived from the original on March 26, 2022. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  6. ^ "LA Galaxy II 1–1 Tacoma Defiance". Soccerway.
  7. ^ a b c Evans, Jayda (March 10, 2022). "16-year-old Obed Vargas playing like a veteran already with Sounders". The Seattle Times. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  8. ^ Creditor, Avi (May 4, 2022). "Seattle Ends MLS's CCL Futility, Routs Pumas to Win Concacaf's Title". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
  9. ^ Liljenwall, Ari (June 24, 2022). "Seattle Sounders midfielder Obed Vargas sidelined "multiple weeks" with back injury". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
  10. ^ Oshan, Jeremiah (February 15, 2024). "Obed Vargas willing to bide time after disappointing end to 2023". Sounder At Heart. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
  11. ^ Evans, Jayda (April 30, 2024). "Raul Ruidiaz's brace leads Sounders over Union in completion of suspended game". The Seattle Times. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
  12. ^ Evans, Jayda (May 11, 2024). "Sounders' Obed Vargas backing up first MLS goal with sharp play". The Seattle Times. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
  13. ^ "Obed Vargas selected for 22 Under 22 presented by Bodyarmour" (Press release). Seattle Sounders FC. October 9, 2024. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
  14. ^ Evans, Jayda (October 31, 2024). "Jordan Morris' injury status, Vargas back and players fined". The Seattle Times. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
  15. ^ a b Evans, Jayda (October 23, 2025). "Sounders' Obed Vargas named finalist for MLS Young Player of the Year". The Seattle Times. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
  16. ^ a b c d Vesely, Sophia (February 2, 2026). "Sounders transfer star midfielder Obed Vargas to La Liga's Atletico Madrid". The Seattle Times. Retrieved February 5, 2026.
  17. ^ "Seattle Sounders to Atlético Madrid: Obed Vargas' 10 biggest MLS moments". MLSsoccer.com. February 2, 2026. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
  18. ^ "Welcome, Obed Vargas!". Atlético Madrid. February 2, 2026. Retrieved February 2, 2026.
  19. ^ Becherano, Lizzy; Carlisle, Jeff (February 2, 2026). "Seattle Sounders midfielder Obed Vargas joins Atlético Madrid". ESPN. Retrieved February 5, 2026.
  20. ^ "¿Cómo fue el debut de Obed Vargas con el Atlético de Madrid?" [How was Obed Vargas' debut with Atlético Madrid?] (in Spanish). ESPN Deportes. February 5, 2026. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
  21. ^ Carrick, Buzz (March 2, 2020). "Seven Dallas area players named to US U15 team". 3rd Degree. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  22. ^ "Twenty-three Players Called to U.s. Olympic Men's Soccer Team Training Camp as Preparations for Paris 2024 Kick Off in Phoenix". ussoccer.com. October 8, 2023. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  23. ^ "Convocatoria de la Selección Nacional de México Sub-20". June 20, 2024.
  24. ^ "Convocatoria Selección Nacional Sub-23 para juegos ante Panamá". August 29, 2024.
  25. ^ "Convocatoria Oficial de México Sub-20 para el Mundial de Chile". MiSeleccion.mx (in Spanish). September 10, 2025. Retrieved September 27, 2025.
  26. ^ Rodenberger, Jordan (October 9, 2024). "Alaska's Obed Vargas gets call-up to Mexican National Team, set to play U.S." AlaskasNewsSource.com. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  27. ^ "Mexico–USA". Sofascore.com. October 15, 2024. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  28. ^ "Obed Vargas tendrá pasaporte español; no será jugador extracomunitario en Atlético de Madrid". RÉCORD (in Spanish). February 3, 2026. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  29. ^ Mercado, Isabelle (n.d.). "Obed Vargas, a Promising Hispanic Soccer Player". Sol de Medianoche. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  30. ^ Obed Vargas at Soccerway
  31. ^ Obed Vargas at National-Football-Teams.com
  32. ^ "Game Details". concacaf.com. May 5, 2022. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
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