Obed Vargas Is Rising: Seattle’s Teenage Midfield Star Has “No Ceiling”

When the Seattle Sounders kick off their 2025 FIFA Club World Cup campaign this weekend, they won’t be short on seasoned talent. But it’s 19-year-old Obed Vargas—a soft-spoken midfielder from Anchorage, Alaska—who might attract the most attention from scouts and sporting directors around the world.

He’s not flashy. He doesn’t come from a traditional soccer pipeline. But according to Seattle Sounders general manager Craig Waibel, “anyone who’s got analytics, he’s triggered and kind of set off the red alarms.” In other words, everyone’s watching now.

From the Frozen North to the Emerald City

Vargas’ story begins far from global soccer hotbeds. Born and raised in Anchorage, he grew up playing for the Cook Inlet Soccer Club and quickly dominated the local scene, winning four Alaska State Cups. But even then, he remained grounded.

“I knew I was the best player in Alaska,” Vargas told the Breakaway film crew, “but I didn’t know how far that was going to get me.”

The reality checks came when his team faced clubs from the “lower 48.” The competition was stiffer, and Vargas began to understand the true scale of his ambitions. With support from his father—Obed Sr., a former youth academy player in Mexico with Monarcas Morelia—he nurtured his talent and grew increasingly committed to a pro career.

That dream took flight at age 14, when he joined the Sounders’ academy program, leaving his family to live with host families in Washington. Fellow academy player Cody Baker became not just a teammate but a housemate, and eventually, one of his closest friends.

Growing Up Fast

Vargas’ transition from local prodigy to national standout accelerated quickly. He made his MLS debut in 2021 as a 15-year-old, becoming one of the youngest players in league history. In 2022, he started in the Sounders’ Concacaf Champions Cup title-clinching victory—at just 16—after João Paulo went down with injury.

That performance solidified his reputation: calm under pressure, tactically sharp, and mature beyond his years.

“He matured a lot faster than other players at his age,” veteran teammate Cristian Roldan said. “He took in a whole lot of information. He was focused. He was able to come here and get better.”

Now a regular starter, Vargas has surpassed 100 appearances for the Sounders before his 20th birthday. He’s a key part of Seattle’s midfield double-pivot alongside Roldan, acting as both a defensive shield and attacking connector. Their complementary playing styles have helped the team thrive in 2025, with Vargas contributing two goals and nine assists so far.

Beyond MLS

Vargas has also made headlines off the pitch with his decision to represent Mexico internationally, despite initially playing for U.S. youth teams. “You see it around the house,” he said of his father’s love for El Tri. “Everything kind of had a connection to Mexico soccer.”

Whether he ends up suiting up for Mexico at the 2026 World Cup or anchoring a midfield in one of Europe’s top leagues, that question may be answered soon. With the Sounders facing Botafogo, Atlético Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup’s Group B, Vargas will get a massive platform to showcase his skill set on a global stage.

While no official offers have come in yet, interest is mounting. Waibel confirmed that “too many teams know about him,” and that European clubs are actively debating whether Vargas is ready to step in and contribute right away.

No Ceiling

To those who know him best, the sky isn’t even the limit.

“I don’t think he has a ceiling,” said Baker. “I think his ceiling is European football, being one of the top guys in Europe.”

Focused, driven, and already battle-tested on some of the biggest stages in North American soccer, Obed Vargas isn’t a hidden gem anymore. He’s a rising star—and his next move might just change everything.