Sporting Kansas City acquired forward Alenis Vargas in a transfer from Costa Rican side Futbol Consultants Desamparados ahead of the 2024 season. The Honduran winger made his debut for Sporting KC in the 2024 season opener at Houston on Feb. 24, 2024 before scoring his first goal for the club at Toronto FC on March 30, 2024. Vargas spent the 2023 season on loan with SKC II and enjoyed an excellent campaign in MLS NEXT Pro. In 21 appearances, Vargas recorded six goals and five assists while drawing three penalty kicks and helping the team reach the MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs with a third-place finish in the Western Conference.
A native of San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Vargas did not begin playing competitive soccer until he was 16. He developed in the Leones Academy from 2019-2020 before joining the reserve team at Honduran powerhouse C.D. Olimpia in December 2020 at age 17. Vargas left his home country in 2022, signing for Futbol Consultants in Costa Rica’s second division. During the latter half of the year, he trained with reigning top-flight champion Cartaginés, where he was coached by former striker and Costa Rican World Cup veteran Paulo Wanchope.
Vargas excelled on loan with SKC II in 2023, scoring a sensational scissor-kick goal to spark a 4-0 home win over first-place Colorado Rapids 2 before scoring a hat trick in a 6-1 win over Portland Timbers 2 in Aug. 13, 2023.
PROFESSIONAL
2024: Made 22 appearances across all competitions, including eight starts and tallied two goals and one assist in his first season with the Sporting KC first team. MLS Regular Season: Started eight of 20 appearances, tallying all three of his goal contributions on the season. Scored his first MLS goal as he made an instant impact as a substitute in the 3-1 road win over Toronto FC on March 30 before producing a match-winning performance in the 2-1 home victory over the Seattle Sounders on June 8, coming off the bench for the final 18 minutes and drawing a red card in the 73rd minute before scoring the game-winner in the 85th minute. Tallied his first assist for the club in the 3-2 home win over FC Dallas on July 7. Open Cup: Did not feature. Leagues Cup: Made two substitute appearances, logging 16 minutes. MLS NEXT Pro: Made one appearance, tallying a goal and an assist in a dominant performance during the 4-0 road win over Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 on Aug. 31.
2023: MLS NEXT Pro: Made 21 appearances, recording six goals and five assists while drawing three penalty kicks and helping the team reach the MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs with a third-place finish in the Western Conference. Recorded assists against FC Cincinnati 2 (April 23) and St. Louis II (May 21) before drawing a penalty against Vancouver 2 (June 2). Scored his first goal, added an assist and won a penalty in the 7-1 win over the Whitecaps on July 2. Recorded another assist in the loss at Portland 2 on July 9 before scoring again in the 4-0 win over Colorado 2 on July 30. Earned a penalty in a loss at Houston 2 on Aug. 6 before scoring a brilliant hat trick against Portland 2 on Aug. 13. Bagged the game-winner the following week in the 1-0 win over Minnesota 2 on Aug. 19 before missing the latter stages of the season through injury.
Futbol Consultants & Cartaginés (2022): Vargas left Honduras in 2022, signing for Futbol Consultants in Costa Rica’s second division. During the latter half of the year, he trained with reigning top-flight champion Cartaginés, where he was coached by former striker and Costa Rican World Cup veteran Paulo Wanchope.
INTERNATIONAL
Received a call-up to represent his country for the first time in March 2024 after never previously earning a national team selection at the youth or senior levels, joining Honduras for a 2024 Copa America qualifying playoff against Costa Rica and a friendly against El Salvador. Vargas was later called up for a training camp with Honduras in October of 2024 leading to selection for the November 2024 international window.
YOUTH
A native of San Pedro Sula, Honduras—the same birthplace of former Sporting midfielder and longtime club great Roger Espinoza—Vargas did not begin playing competitive soccer until he was 16. He developed in the Leones Academy from 2019-2020 before joining the reserve team at Honduran powerhouse C.D. Olimpia in December 2020 at age 17.
