Obed Vargas: Youngest player in Sounders' history is looking for another record

It is only his second full season in Major League Soccer, but Seattle Sounders midfielder Obed Vargas is already acting like a veteran. “It’s high because we can’t score goals,” Vargas said when asked about the frustration level within the Sounders’ dressing room. “Because we can’t score goals, and we need to win games.” 

Before we move on, we have to put all that into context. The Sounders are currently third in the Western Conference behind MLS expansion side St. Louis CITY SC and champions LAFC and have only lost two of the last five games. But part of the reality is that the three other games were draws and that the club has scored in just one of those games (in the 3-3 draw against Charlotte FC). 

Then there is another factor: This is the Seattle Sounders. The Sounders are the MLS’s flagship club, a team that finally ended Liga MX’s dominance over the Concacaf Champions League when they secured that title in 2022. That title, however, came with the expense of missing out on the MLS Cup Playoffs, and with that in mind, the pressure is once again enormous for the Sounders to win a trophy.  

Sounders prospect Vargas: Stood out at U20 FIFA World Cup in Argentina

But despite all that pressure, head coach Brian Schmetzer trusts young players like Vargas to play crucial roles in his squad. Only 17, the native of Anchorage, Alaska, became the youngest player in club history when he made his debut aged 15 years, 11 months, and 18 days in Seattle’s 1-0 victory over Austin FC on July 23, 2021. In fact, Vargas, who is yet to score for the club, could also still break the record for the youngest scorer in Sounders’ history. 

Scoring a goal would, of course, also alleviate many of Seattle’s current problems. But despite the current frustration, there is no doubt that Vargas is turning into one of the more interesting prospects playing in MLS. After playing 854 minutes across 13 MLS games last season, Vargas has already played 538 minutes in nine MLS games this season.

The missing minutes this season can be explained by Vargas being away with the U20 US men’s national team at the U20 FIFA World Cup. In fact, the central midfielder featured in every match in his country’s run to the quarterfinals in Argentina, further underlining his status as the most valuable central midfielder in the world born in 2005.

Vargas feels growing expectations are "a good" thing 

“I feel like it has been good,” Vargas said when asked about his personal development. “Last year was my first year, and expectations were low because it is your first season. But now I feel there is a standard of expectations that I have to hit every game. But that is good because I try to go up [in my development] and not down.” 

The Seattle Sounders currently have three players at the Gold Cup, including central midfielder Cristian Roldán, who usually occupies a similar area on the pitch as Vargas. With Roldán being part of the US men’s national team at the Gold Cup, expectations are that the midfielder will be gone for the entirety of the tournament and that Vargas will eat up a large part of those numbers. 

“Everything has to be at the right time,” Vargas said. “I have to pick and choose my moments because, as a younger guy, if something goes wrong, you know the blame is going to be on me. The veterans are expected to do the hard work, you want to chip in as a younger guy, but you kinda have to let them work and pick your moments. You have to show that you can add to the team, and I think I have been doing that aspect.” 

Sounders midfielder Vargas: "It is about picking the right moments"

Indeed, there is some indication that Vargas is increasingly picking those right moments. Despite missing playing time at the U20 World Cup, the 17-year-old ranks 11th among Seattle players with 26 ground duels won overall this season and tenth with nine key interceptions this season.

Those numbers highlight, defensively, Vargas has made a big step forward. “Because we know we can’t score,” Vargas said when asked about the midfield’s defensive contributions. “It adds to the pressure because we have a tough time scoring.” 

What has been lacking is goals, something the 17-year-old wants to improve on as his club is struggling to score. “We need to be sharper during practice,” Vargas said. “Especially during these shooting drills.” And perhaps, who knows, maybe it will be Vargas to finally end the drought and score his first-ever goal in MLS, which would give him the record as the club’s youngest scorer.