One of the brightest midfielders in the U.S. men’s national team pipeline has left the program in favor of Mexico.
Seattle Sounders midfielder Obed Vargas has filed a one-time change of association request through FIFA, ending his time with the United States and ensuring his international future will be with El Tri.
“We can confirm that a change of association request (from USA to Mexico) for Mr. Obed Vargas was accepted on 21 May 2024,” a FIFA spokesperson confirmed to Pro Soccer Wire. The switch was first reported by American Soccer Now.
Vargas, 18, was born in Alaska and has only represented the U.S. at the youth international level, but has retained eligibility for Mexico through his family heritage.
The midfielder played in all five games for the U.S. at last summer’s U-20 World Cup, starting the team’s quarterfinal defeat against Uruguay.
Vargas had been involved with the U-23 side on its road to the Olympics this summer, but hasn’t been called in since the fall. He recently declined an invitation to a U-19 camp.
“Right now, my focus is the Sounders,” Vargas told reporters in Seattle upon declining the invite. “My aim was the Olympic team but I think that door is kinda closed now. For me to go into a U-19 or U-20 camp, I don’t see the point of missing games with the Sounders where I’m playing a lot.”
Obed Vargas on declining call-up to USA U19 team: “Right now, my focus is the Sounders. My aim was the Olympic team but I think that door is kinda closed now. For me to go into a u19 or u20 camp, I don’t see the point of missing games with the sounders where I’m playing a lot.”
— Jeremiah Oshan (@JeremiahOshan) June 3, 2024
Vargas made his debut for the Sounders in 2021 at age 15, becoming the third-youngest player in history to appear in a MLS match.
This season, Vargas has become a regular for the Sounders, starting 13 of the club’s 17 games as he already approaches a career high in MLS minutes.
Vargas was interviewed in 2022 about his international future, saying he was still unsure which country he would represent.
“When I was younger, I always wanted to play for Mexico,” Vargas said. “I always grew up watching Mexico but I’ve joined the MLS academy, they’ve given me an opportunity. I’ve gone to U.S. national team camps and they’ve really been confident in me. It’s kind of leveled out the playing field. I still don’t know. My heart is in two spaces right now.”
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