RENTON — Obed Vargas has seen and accomplished a lot as a 19-year-old professional soccer player. Since becoming the third youngest player to ever make his MLS debut as a 16-year-old in 2021, he has helped guide his team to a Concacaf Champions League title; made a high profile international switch from the United States to Mexico, which culminated with a senior national team cap; and started against his boyhood favorite club, Atletico Madrid, in an actual competition, while transfer rumors swirled around him.
Each one of these things has been handled with a certain cool detachment, just part of the job.
It was much the same when Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer informed Vargas about being named as one of six new additions to the MLS All-Star Game before Monday’s training session. Vargas admitted he was surprised by the news, but also didn’t seem particularly wowed by it either.
“I’m proud, obviously, to be there, to be recognized, but for me the most important thing is the team,” Vargas said following Tuesday’s training session, noting that making the All-Star Game was not something he put on his list of goals this season and that he felt some of his teammates were just as – if not more – deserving. “I just want to do good things for the team and the rest will come.”
Vargas actually seemed more excited about getting to reconnect with some of the friends he made with the Mexico national team who will be at the event as part of the Liga MX contingent than he was about getting to participate in any of the festivities himself.
But Vargas’ tone changed when a reporter asked him about getting to be teammates with Leo Messi, with the news seemingly hitting him like an epiphany.
“Now you've got me more excited, being on the same team as Messi," Vargas said in Spanish. "I hadn't really thought about who would be there. Messi will be there, and other high-quality players. It's a big opportunity for me.”
Although Vargas’ one goal and three assists in MLS play don’t exactly jump off the page as “All-Star worthy”, the spot on the team is still well deserved.
What Vargas excels in is a lot of the stuff that just make teams better – strong positional defense, quick passing and an ability to cover a lot of ground. He also has an exceptional ability to dribble out of trouble, which is key to the Sounders possession-based attack.
“For the top tacticians, he’s versatile in different spots,” Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer said. “He can play deeper, his runs from a deeper position are very effective. He can also play in the pockets. He’s got good technical ability. You see him wiggle out of things.
“There’s a lot of simple things to his game that people appreciate, and it helps the team go forward.”
