MLS Fires Back, Reminding Mexico Where Its Rising Stars Were Developed

Major League Soccer stirred debate on social media after posting an image of Brian Gutiérrez and Obed Vargas—both current Mexico national team players—alongside the caption “Made in MLS,” a message that immediately sparked discussion among El Tri supporters.

The post was widely interpreted as a direct statement aimed at Mexico’s player development system. While both players now represent the Mexico national team, the U.S. league highlighted that their development took place within MLS academies and clubs, reinforcing the narrative surrounding dual-nationality talent. The publication drew mixed reactions. Some Mexican fans welcomed the players’ decision to commit to El Tri, while others questioned Mexico’s growing reliance on talent developed outside the country. On the other side, MLS seized the moment to showcase its evolution as a league capable of producing international-level players.

The image of Gutiérrez and Vargas quickly became a symbol of a broader, ongoing debate over youth development in the region—a discussion that resurfaces every time a new binational prospect emerges.

Brian Gutiérrez built his career at Chicago Fire, where he recorded 164 official appearances, 21 goals, and 25 assists. His performances established him as one of the club’s young leaders before he made the move to Chivas and officially committed to Mexico through FIFA’s One-Time Switch process.

The attacking midfielder also featured for United States youth national teams before ultimately choosing the Mexican project, becoming an important figure for both Chivas and Mexico’s national team setup.

Obed Vargas, meanwhile, remains with the Seattle Sounders, where he has already surpassed 130 official matches. His standout performances at the U-20 World Cup with Mexico put him on the international radar and attracted interest from Liga MX clubs, including Club América—an offer he ultimately turned down.

The young midfielder prioritized a direct move to Europe over a return to Mexican football, a decision that further reinforced MLS’s image as a springboard for exporting talent. That narrative was precisely the message the league sought to emphasize with its social media post.