How a Mexican-American soccer family grew in ice-cold Alaska

Joseph Lowery -

There was a moment, as Jon Arnold tells it, when Obed Vargas Sr. knew his soccer career was over. For years, he’d only wanted to do one thing: play the game professionally. But after being cut by his favorite team, that dream came to an end. Vargas moved far from home, needing space between himself and the setting of his disappointment. 

Years later, then came along another Obed Vargas — his son.

After his dad had moved from Mexico to Alaska, Obed Vargas and his three siblings all started to pick up their father’s old passion. Obed, in particular “was different”, his dad told Backheeled.

Jon writes:

At age 19, the same age at which his father’s dreams of going pro were dashed, the younger Obed Vargas now has more structure in his soccer life. Not only is he a professional player, but he’s one who has played more than 100 first-team matches with the Seattle Sounders, a senior call-up for the country his father left in disappointment, and a career that still seems to be just beginning.
“I always told them,” the elder Vargas said. “I hope you can achieve what I couldn’t.”

Want to read about Vargas’ rise from frozen fields in far-flung Alaska to becoming a midfield star for the Seattle Sounders and breaking onto the scene for Mexico, the country his father left in despair? From the always excellent Jon Arnold, here's how a Mexican-American soccer family grew in an unexpected place — and raised a top MLS talent:

Obed Vargas’ remarkable rise from frozen fields in Alaska to the Seattle Sounders and El Tri
Here’s how a Mexican-American soccer family grew in ice-cold Alaska.
BackheeledJon Arnold

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