Anchorage’s Obed Vargas on Thursday became the first Alaskan to play in a World Cup game.
From the snow to the World Cup, Obed Vargas continues to elevate Alaska soccer to unprecedented heights.
Never mind the thrill of reaching a mountain top, the 20-year-old midfielder from Anchorage on Thursday was over the moon after making his debut on the sport’s greatest stage.
Playing in the World Cup is every soccer player’s dream, and Vargas made it a reality after taking the field in the 70th minute for Mexico to close out a 1-0 win over South Korea in Guadalajara.
“This is very special,” Vargas told Telemudo. “The whole group has worked so very hard to have six points over these two games. We didn’t have a perfect game, but we won, and that’s the most important thing.”
Vargas replaced Luis Romo in the 70th minute and fired a shot on goal in the 86th minute, forcing the South Korean keeper to make a save on the goal-line.
“They sent it to me and I didn’t think twice,” Vargas said.
Vargas, a dual citizen, was raised in Anchorage and played for the Cook Inlet Soccer Club until he was 13, when he left for Seattle to pursue a professional career.
Vargas replaced Luis Romo in the 70th minute.
At 14, he joined the Sounders Academy to kick off his rapid rise of success.
In 2020, he represented the United States Youth National Team at the U-15 level.
In 2021, he was called up Seattle’s MLS team and became the third-youngest player in league history to earn a start at 15 years and 351 days.
In 2024, he became the youngest Sounder to score in an MLS game at 18 years and 217 days. Alaska’s only other MLS goal previous to that came June 7, 2008, when Anchorage’s Ely Allen scored for the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Earlier this year, Vargas left the MLS after five seasons to join Atlético Madrid of Spain’s famed La Liga. Atlético was his favorite team growing up.
From one dream to another, now he’s in the World Cup.
With its 2-0 record in Pool A, Mexico became the first country to advance to the knockout stage. El Tri will wrap up pool play on Wednesday against the Czech Republic.
Vargas could be line to play significant minutes in next week’s game, so he is looking for a strong finish.
“We want to win and feel good,” he said. “And we want to leave with nine points.”
