"Over the past quarter-century, the United States and Mexico haven't just vied for supremacy as the top soccer powerhouse in North America; they've also fought tooth-and-nail for a number of impressive dual-national players. Out of the nearly 40 million Mexican-Americans who live in the USA, many have gone on to enjoy a successful professional playing career in MLS and at the international level."
"Whilst some like Diego Luna, Ricardo Pepi and Alejandro Zendejas have gone on to play for the Stars and Stripes, others like Obed Vargas have opted to represent El Tri. Raised by his parents Obed and Marisol, both of whom left Mexico for Alaska, Vargas grew up in Anchorage alongside his four siblings and quickly became enamored with soccer, playing for Romig Middle School and the Cook Inlet Soccer Club before joining Seattle Sounders' academy in 2019."
"It was a major leap of faith for the 15-year-old, who left his family and community behind and gambled it all on his professional soccer dreams, but it quickly paid off for him. After spending two years in the youth ranks, Vargas signed a professional contract with Seattle's reserve side Tacoma Defiance. Seven weeks later, Vargas became the third-youngest player in MLS history at 15 years and 351 days old, starting in a 1-0 win at Austin FC on July 22, 2021."
The United States and Mexico have competed fiercely for dual-national soccer talent, with many Mexican-Americans achieving professional success in MLS and internationally. Some players choose the U.S. while others represent Mexico. Obed Vargas was raised in Anchorage by parents who emigrated from Mexico and played youth soccer locally before joining the Seattle Sounders academy in 2019. At 15 he left home to pursue a professional career, signed with Tacoma Defiance after two years in the youth ranks, and debuted for Seattle aged 15 years, 351 days. He became an important midfielder as Seattle won the Concacaf Champions League, but suffered a lower-back stress fracture in June 2022 and missed nine months before returning.
Read at www.fourfourtwo.com
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