Obed Vargas

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. He moved to Washington and joined the youth academy for Major League Soccer club Seattle Sounders FC at the age of 14.

Seattle Sounders FC

Vargas played in the academy of Seattle Sounders FC for two seasons before signing a professional contract with Sounders FC reserve side Tacoma Defiance on May 7, 2021. 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. 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. 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". He was an early substitute in the second leg of the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League final, which the Sounders won 3–0 at home. 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. Vargas returned for the 2023 season but played in few matches, including only 24 minutes in the MLS Cup playoffs. He regained the starting position…

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. He was called up by the United States national under-20 team in January 2022. 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. On May 21, 2024, Vargas completed a one-time switch from the United States to Mexico. 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. 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. In 2025, Vargas was called up by coach Eduardo Arce to represent Mexico at the FIFA U-20 World Cup held in Chile.

Senior

Upon completing his FIFA one-time switch, in early October 2024, Vargas receives his first call-up, by Javier Aguirre, to the senior national team for October 11 and 15 for friendly matches against Spanish club Valencia CF and the United States respectively. Vargas is the first Alaskan to ever play for a national team. On October 15, Vargas makes his senior Mexico debut entering in the 83rd minute for Jesús Angulo in a friendly…

Vargas is of Mexican descent, with his parents hailing from Michoacán, 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. His father played for the youth academy of Monarcas Morelia; his younger brother and two sisters also play football.