As someone who grew up playing soccer in Alaska until the age of 14, Sounders midfielder Obed Vargas always felt like an underdog.
“When all the other teams would see my Alaska team [they’d think] ‘They're trash, we're gonna beat them.’ And I always had an underdog mentality, where I was going to show these guys that we're not that bad. Or even when I came with the Academy, my teammates were, like, ‘This guys from Alaska, what is he doing here?’ And I [wanted] to show these guys I [was] better than them.”
It’s something that has fueled the midfielder since he began playing soccer at a young age. He found strength in the challenge — something his favorite team growing up inspired him to embrace every time he stepped onto the pitch.
“Atletico de Madrid, they're underdogs, all the time. And when I lived in Alaska, I started watching them, especially in the 2014 Champions League final,” said Vargas. “And, I think it correlates with my own story.”
It is the club’s motto, “Coraje y Corazón” or “Courage and Heart”, that he resonates with the most.
“I identify myself with that, coming from Alaska, of having to fight through moving, and an Academy team, second team, a national team…. I think it's been my mentality all the way through my career,” said Vargas.
FIFA Club World Cup Hub
The biggest tournament in the history of global club soccer is just around the corner. This month, Sounders FC will compete in the the FIFA Club World Cup right here in Seattle. Placed in Group B, the Rave Green will face UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain, Spanish giants Atlético de Madrid, and reigning South American champions Botafogo at Lumen Field during the group stage.
Fast forward to 2025, this mentality has not only led him to the ultimate opportunity of competing on the global stage at FIFA Club World Cup 2025™, but with the chance to compete against the Spanish giants he’s idolized since childhood.
On Thursday, June 19, Vargas and the Seattle Sounders will face off against the La Liga side at Lumen Field in their second match of the international competition’s group stage.
“It means everything,” said Vargas. “I don't know what lineup they're gonna put out, what players are gonna play, but just playing against them and seeing the jersey, the crest, playing against them is gonna give me extra motivation to give my all.”
Vargas is particularly looking forward to facing an Atlético midfield that consists of all-time leading scorer of the club and French superstar Antoine Griezmann. But, he is not going to let his lifelong fandom of the Spanish squad deter him from the mission at hand.
“I can tell you one thing: I won't be a fan whenever we play them,” he said. “I'm going to do as much as I can to beat them.”
Pride Night (vs. Austin FC)
Show your colors and celebrate love with a $36 ticket and rainbow Pride socks featuring Sounders branding—a must-have for any supporter. Grab your tickets and make it a night of inclusivity, community, and soccer!
Kickoff at 7:30 p.m. PT on June 28.
Vargas recognizes the level of talent he and the Sounders are gearing up to face on Thursday, but is ready to capitalize on any advantages they have to surpass the 11-time La Liga champions — including the fighting spirit that’s been ingrained in him from a young age.
“I think the advantages that we have is we're playing at home, playing in Seattle, and we're playing in our stadium. I think we need to use that to fuel us,” said Vargas.
“It's clear there's different levels to the game,” he continued, “but we [need to] take this as an opportunity to prove people wrong, to compete, and to prove it to ourselves more than anyone else.”
