Obed Vargas Voted Quantity One on 2025 MLS 22 Under 22 Listing

RENTON, WASH. – Major League Soccer today announced its 2025 22 Under 22 listing, with Sounders FC midfielder Obed Vargas named to the highest spot for the primary time in his profession. Voted on by a panel of MLS employees, MLS Season Pass expertise and membership technical employees, the listing honors the highest younger expertise throughout all of MLS below the age of twenty-two. Previously generally known as the 24 Under 24 listing till 2018, Vargas joins Fredy Montero (2010) and DeAndre Yedlin (2014) as the one Sounders gamers to take residence the highest spot within the annual rating.

“We couldn’t be prouder of Obed and the recognition he’s earned as the top young player in Major League Soccer,” mentioned Sounders FC General Manager & Chief Soccer Officer Craig Waibel. “From the moment he joined our club, his maturity, work ethic and competitiveness have set him apart. Obed remains grounded and committed to getting better every day. This honor is a reflection not just of his individual talent, but of the collective effort of our coaches, teammates and development staff who’ve helped him grow within the Sounders system.”

Vargas, 20, jumped six spots within the rankings this yr after coming in at quantity seven on the 2024 22 Under 22 listing. The midfielder has made 38 appearances for the membership in all competitions, recording 4 targets and 7 assists. He began all three of the Rave Green’s three fixtures throughout the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and performed each minute of the membership’s championship run at Leagues Cup 2025, serving to declare the franchise’s ninth main trophy.

In 2025 MLS regular-season play, Vargas has began all 26 of his appearances with three targets and 5 assists. He ranks second on the crew in minutes (2,273), third in accomplished passes (1,171) and seventh in go proportion (89%), incomes his first MLS All-Star nod earlier this yr. Since signing with Sounders FC previous to the 2022 season on the age of 16, Vargas has made 127 appearances (105 begins), recording six targets and 11 assists in all competitions.

“Obed has earned this recognition through hard work and consistency from the moment he joined the club,” mentioned Sounders FC Head Coach Brian Schmetzer. “He’s taken every opportunity to learn and improve, and he continues to be an important part of our group. We’re proud of the progress he’s made, and this is a well-deserved acknowledgment of his growth as a player.”

Vargas has additionally made an impression on the worldwide stage, presently in Chile representing the Mexico U-20 Men’s National Team on the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup. He has began all of Mexico’s matches within the event thus far, serving to El Tri end second in Group C. Mexico superior to the Quarterfinals yesterday with a 4-1 win over Chile and can face the winner of right now’s Round of 16 matchup between Argentina and Nigeria. The midfielder earned his first cap with the Mexican senior crew in October 2024 with a substitute look in opposition to the United States in a 2-0 victory. He was additionally known as into Mexico’s U-23 squad throughout the September 2024 window for a coaching camp and friendlies. Vargas additionally made 9 appearances for the U.S. Youth Men’s National Team at numerous ranges earlier than using his one-time federation swap to Mexico.

The Anchorage, Alaska native joined Sounders FC Academy on the age of 14 from Cook Inlet Soccer Club, happening to play one season with Tacoma Defiance in 2021. While nonetheless with Defiance, he began and performed 77 minutes in Seattle’s victory over Austin FC on July 22, 2021, on the time the third-youngest participant in league historical past to play in a match (15 years and 351 days) earlier than signing with the membership following the season.

Coming off a 1-0 win over the Portland Timbers on Saturday, Seattle Sounders FC hosts Real Salt Lake in its regular-season finale on Saturday, October 11 (6:30 p.m. PT / Apple TV, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM).