Seattle Sounders midfielder Obed Vargas has informed ESPN that Club América has shown interest by reaching out to his representatives during this winter transfer window. However, he quickly dismissed the possibility of a move to Liga MX to focus on his aspirations for a future in Europe.
“They contacted me, but my priority is making a move to Europe,” Vargas told ESPN. “My contract with the Sounders ends at the end of this year, so if a move to Europe doesn’t materialize before then, my plan is to evaluate options at the end of the year.”
The 20-year-old midfielder made his debut with the Sounders in 2021 and has since accumulated four goals and 12 assists in 92 Major League Soccer appearances over five seasons. He has become a key player in the Sounders’ setup under head coach Brian Schmetzer, contributing to the team’s 2022 Concacaf Champions League victory and the 2025 Leagues Cup win against Inter Miami.
His performances for the Seattle Sounders have caught the attention of the Mexican national team, leading to call-ups to both the youth and senior squads. Recently, Vargas played under manager Javier Aguirre during a friendly against Uruguay, entering the match in the 65th minute as a substitute for Marcel Ruiz.
Vargas also represented Mexico in the Under-20 World Cup, where the team reached the quarterfinals before losing to Argentina. He played in all five matches during the tournament.
Vargas remains focused on securing a spot in Mexico’s 26-player roster for the 2026 World Cup, acknowledging the challenges ahead.
“The November camp was very beneficial for me; I had a great experience and got my name into the conversation,” Vargas noted. “Getting called up is always positive. This time, I played 30 minutes, so my next step is to aim for at least 45 minutes to reinforce my position and solidify my place in the squad. After that, we’ll see,”
“Whenever I’m in camp, the coaching staff reminds us that we are included for a reason. There are only a limited number of players who will make the roster, and being here means we have a shot. They advise us to stay healthy, fit, and actively playing, which gives us the best chance to make the squad. That’s my goal this year: to be healthy, to be fit, and to be playing.”
The Seattle Sounders, along with Vargas, will kick off the 2026 season on February 22 against the Colorado Rapids at Lumen Field.