Obed Vargas

Biography

Obed Gómez 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. Born in Anchorage, Alaska, Vargas began his career with Cook Inlet Soccer Club before moving to Washington and joining the youth academy for Major League Soccer club Seattle Sounders FC. He played in the academy for two seasons before signing a professional contract with Sounders FC reserve side Tacoma Defiance on May 7, 2021. A couple days later, on May 9, Vargas made his senior debut for Tacoma Defiance in the USL Championship against LA Galaxy II. He started and played 66 minutes as the match ended in a 1–1 draw. On July 22, 2021, Vargas debuted with the Sounders FC. He made his MLS debut 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. 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. Manager 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". In March 2020, Vargas was selected to participate in the United States under-15 camp. He was called up for tryouts with the United States under-20 team in January 2022. Vargas is of Mexican descent and holds dual American and Mexican citizenship. His father played for the youth academy of Atlético Morelia; his younger brother and two sisters also play soccer.