Midfielder Obed Vargas has come a long way since his arrival to the Seattle Sounders organization at the young age of 14.
The Anchorage, Alaska native, who grew up dreaming of becoming a professional soccer player, has become a key starter for the Sounders and a rising star on the international stage before he turned 20.
Just last weekend, Vargas became the youngest player in club history to reach 100 appearances across all competitions. It was a milestone worth celebrating, especially when just five years ago, Vargas took a leap of faith and left everything that was familiar to him to pursue his passion for the game.
It was a daunting thought knowing that his chance at reaching greater heights as a player came with beginning a new chapter in a place that was so foreign to him. But through the support of his family, he was able to take that step and immerse himself in an environment that provided a professional pathway.
“My wife and I had a lot of conversations about Obed leaving Alaska, leaving our house,” said Obed’s father Obed Sr. “It wasn't easy, because he was our first son that was going to depart or leave home at age of 14, but we also knew that was his dream, and he wanted to follow his dream and pursue his dream. What we tried to do is to support him the best way we could and allow him to go.”
So off Vargas went, departing from the normalcy of living with his siblings and parents to reside in a homestay program organized by the club as he navigated his new journey in Seattle.
But upon arrival to the Pacific Northwest, the feeling of doubt crept in for Vargas.
“My initial thoughts of joining the Academy was, ‘Am I really good enough to be here?’”
The answer was clear as soon as he began to train with the club. It only took six months at the youth level for the coaching and development staff to see his massive potential on the pitch.
“I thought the level was going to be crazier because when you think about Alaska, think about soccer, or anything like that, I was good in Alaska, but I just thought wherever I went, I was going to be maybe decent or not good enough,” said Vargas. “And when I got there, I realized I was better than I thought, that I could compete.”
From becoming the captain of the U-15’s Academy team, to earning a spot on the U.S. Youth National Team, Vargas quickly discovered that he had the potential to “keep going [and] keep climbing through the ranks.”
His hard work paid off, earning a second team contract with Tacoma Defiance on May 7, 2021. And by July 22, the unimaginable happened. Vargas made his debut with the First Team, becoming the third youngest player in league history to either start or play in an MLS match.
“[Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer] talked about giving opportunities to new players, [that] there's a lot of injuries, a lot of players that are out, [and] new players have to step up,” said Vargas. “And that's when he looked at me, and I can't remember his exact words, but he's like, ‘There's a 15-year-old in this room. He's gonna start tomorrow,’ and I was the only 15-year-old in the room.”
Not only did he support the team to a 1-0 victory over Austin FC with four other teenagers in the starting lineup, but he played alongside legend Raúl Ruidíaz, a player whom he admired since the Peruvian international was on Morelia, a team Vargas had grown up supporting. It was surreal for the Alaska native, who had worked relentlessly to reach a moment of that caliber.
“I was nervous in the moment leading up to the match, but then when I stepped on the field and the whistle blew, I wasn't nervous anymore. I was just happy, you know, I kind of remembered everything that I went through, and I was like, ‘This is what I came here for, and I'm just gonna enjoy this now,’ and I just had fun that game.”
Proud was an understatement as his family witnessed his success at Q2 Stadium in Austin from the comfort of their own home.
“[We were] full of joy, tears for all of us and the family, for my wife, for my daughters, for my younger son,” said Obed Sr. “We remember that moment and it still kind of brings tears to me. We said, well, you know, all the hard work that everybody's done, I think, has paid off. We've seen a reflection of that now on Obed. It was very emotional. It was madness in our house.”
Five months later, it was official. Vargas signed a four-year contract with the First Team as a Homegrown Player.
Fast forward to 2025, the midfielder has competed in a Club World Cup, a Concacaf Champions Cup title win, made his senior Mexican national team debut in a friendly after making a one-time switch to play for El Tri, and continues to improve day-in and day-out as a consistent starter for the Seattle Sounders.
And while it is a reflection of his hard work and dedication over the years, it was the love and encouragement from his family that ultimately pushed him toward becoming the player he is today.
“My family has always been present in some way or another, whether it's text messages, FaceTime calls, or visiting me on weekends to watch me play,” said Vargas. “They've always been my support system.”
Vargas recalls the “education” his parents instilled in him, being the most “important” thing as it relates to his career growth.
“My dad has been my soccer coach. He's taught me a lot of things on the field, but I think what they've instilled in me off the field has been the key to my success on the field. They've always stressed mentality, you know, you can be talented, you can be gifted, but if you don't have the right mentality, you don’t have discipline, you're not going to make it very far.”
And now, rather than showing support in Alaska, Vargas’ family now resides with him in Seattle, as his brother Abad embarks on a similar journey through the Sounders Academy pathway.
“We decided to come later, after two years,” said Obed’s mother Marisol. “My children, Marisol, the oldest, had already left. And then Frida, she went to university and I said: ‘Okay, the only one still around is Abad.’ [And when] Abad had the opportunity to enter the Academy, I no longer wanted two people staying in a homestay [and] I had the opportunity with my job, to work online.”
Vargas is appreciative of the homestay program the club provided and the Bakers (Cody Baker) for hosting him, but finds solace knowing he is back, living with his family.
“Having my family here, my mom, this is your comfort zone, where you feel most comfortable. You know, she's working upstairs, and when she knows that we're coming home from training, she just starts cooking for us, so when we come home, we have a warm meal, and that means the most to me than the actual meal. Just the love that she puts into every meal…Me and my brother, we appreciate that so much.”
It has been an unorthodox path for Vargas, leaving Alaska to follow his dream at a young age, and he wouldn’t change it for the world. He remains grateful to the Sounders for giving him the opportunity to do so.
“This club has meant everything for me and my family,” said Vargas. They took a chance on me. They took a chance on a kid from Alaska. They believed in me. They gave me all the tools to succeed in the academy. And when they thought it was the right moment, they pushed me out to the next level.”
“They created an environment for me to grow,” he continued. “And obviously now taking care of my brother, giving him the opportunity to grow and develop himself. It means everything.”
