RENTON — When Obed Vargas watched the United States beat Mexico 2-0 in the recent CONCACAF Nations League final, you’d think he would have felt a certain amount of pride. Vargas has been involved in the formation of U.S. youth national teams since he was 14, and likely hoped to eventually make it to the senior national team.
Instead, Vargas felt only pain.
“It was very tough,” Vargas told reporters after practice Thursday. “When I watch the team games, it’s tougher that Mexico lost. You can tell my heart was there.”
It took until recently for Vargas to actually follow through on his long-held wish, but now he seems fully comfortable with his decision to request a one-off transfer from the United States to Mexico, effectively tying him to El Tri for the rest of his international career.
“For me the idea was simple,” the midfielder said. “It’s the team I’ve watched since I was a kid and for me it’s a way to respect my family and culture. My whole family is Mexican. It’s the team I feel the most love for.”
Vargas has spoken many times about growing up rooting for Mexico and, like many immigrant families, watching El Tri was almost a cultural experience. He never hid his polarized loyalties and said he remains grateful for the opportunities that U.S. Soccer and life in the U.S. have given him.
He also maintained that his decision was not motivated by playing time, feeling snubbed or mistreated by the U.S. Soccer Federation, or by anything else other than doing what his heart told him to do.
“I put everything aside, all the favours, all the national teams that could have offered me and just took the decision with my heart,” he said. “I didn’t ask for anything and they didn’t offer me anything. Everything has to be earned by me. Whenever they call me, they will call me. I don’t know when that will be or at what level.”
Another thing that seems to work in Mexico’s favor is the state of their squad, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it will make Vargas’ road any easier. Mexico’s soccer reputation has taken a hit after their worst World Cup performance since failing to qualify in 1982 and failing to beat the United States in any match since 2019.
Vargas is excited about the possibility of helping turn things around.
“They’re in the middle of a generational change and they need fresh blood and new players,” Vargas said. “I have a lot of confidence in my abilities. I think I’m doing the right thing.” [with the Sounders]”If I play well here, I’ll get a chance with the national team. I have to win everything. I don’t want anything to be handed to me. All I can do is give my best here, perform every day and get my chance with the national team.”
He’s only 18, so there seems to be no sporting reason to make the move now. Mexico failed to qualify for the upcoming Summer Olympics, but ironically Vargas was a big part of the U.S.’s qualification. He probably wouldn’t make the move just to help them qualify for the U20 World Cup this summer. Realistically, it would make sense to wait until either the U.S. or Mexico are willing to call him up for some senior national team tournament.
It could also backfire: Vargas has spent the last four years or so getting to know U.S. Soccer players and coaches, but he has no such knowledge of El Tri. Even if he earns caps with Mexico, it’s entirely possible he won’t like the environment, finds it’s not a cultural fit or ends up unpopular for some other reason.
it doesn’t matter.
“I’m willing to take that risk to play for the team I love,” he said.
