Chris Tobin
@ctobin.bsky.social
I will probably talk about Sounders and other ⚽ and life as a Seattle expat living in Amsterdam. Oh and F1. Masters TFT player, most every set.
It looks like Mallorca is interested in taking Obed Vargas on loan, still a chance that he stays at Atletico Madrid and Getafe have also been mentioned. No one has a credible rumor of terms yet but it seems like it's a done deal.
Worse places to land than Mallorca...
Worse places to land than Mallorca...
February 2, 2026 at 3:50 PM
It looks like Mallorca is interested in taking Obed Vargas on loan, still a chance that he stays at Atletico Madrid and Getafe have also been mentioned. No one has a credible rumor of terms yet but it seems like it's a done deal.
Worse places to land than Mallorca...
Worse places to land than Mallorca...
No real update this morning in the Spanish press on Obed Vargas that I can see. Diario AS and others I translated said they were debating a European club loan or stay at Atletico.
So any thoughts of a loan back to the Sounders are probably a false hope.
So any thoughts of a loan back to the Sounders are probably a false hope.
February 2, 2026 at 9:57 AM
No real update this morning in the Spanish press on Obed Vargas that I can see. Diario AS and others I translated said they were debating a European club loan or stay at Atletico.
So any thoughts of a loan back to the Sounders are probably a false hope.
So any thoughts of a loan back to the Sounders are probably a false hope.
Reposted by Chris Tobin
🚨🔴⚪️ Mexican talent Obed Vargas, on the verge of joining Atlético Madrid! Deal at final stages. Vargas has already agreed on personal terms as deal could be sealed soon. 🇲🇽
February 1, 2026 at 8:08 PM
🚨🔴⚪️ Mexican talent Obed Vargas, on the verge of joining Atlético Madrid! Deal at final stages. Vargas has already agreed on personal terms as deal could be sealed soon. 🇲🇽
If Obed is sold, it's going to be for much lower than we hoped. Two scenarios are totally fine for me:
1- Max GAM via a transfer and a big sell on clause.
2- Max GAM in this MLS calendar year, loan to Sounders until World Cup, delayed majority of payment to max GAM again in 2026-27 MLS year.
1- Max GAM via a transfer and a big sell on clause.
2- Max GAM in this MLS calendar year, loan to Sounders until World Cup, delayed majority of payment to max GAM again in 2026-27 MLS year.
February 1, 2026 at 8:25 PM
If Obed is sold, it's going to be for much lower than we hoped. Two scenarios are totally fine for me:
1- Max GAM via a transfer and a big sell on clause.
2- Max GAM in this MLS calendar year, loan to Sounders until World Cup, delayed majority of payment to max GAM again in 2026-27 MLS year.
1- Max GAM via a transfer and a big sell on clause.
2- Max GAM in this MLS calendar year, loan to Sounders until World Cup, delayed majority of payment to max GAM again in 2026-27 MLS year.
I mean this would be a big deal.
La Liga's transfer window closes Monday night Spain time, I think it's officially 8:59 AM PST on Monday.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
La Liga's transfer window closes Monday night Spain time, I think it's officially 8:59 AM PST on Monday.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
Atlético Madrid in talks with Seattle Sounders for Obed Vargas: Sources
Vargas talked about how he had grown up a fan of Atlético before a Sounders matchup against the club in the FIFA Club World Cup.
www.nytimes.com
February 1, 2026 at 7:31 PM
I mean this would be a big deal.
La Liga's transfer window closes Monday night Spain time, I think it's officially 8:59 AM PST on Monday.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
La Liga's transfer window closes Monday night Spain time, I think it's officially 8:59 AM PST on Monday.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
Liverpool look good, 300 to 1 to win the title.
Can they make up 14 points on Arsenal in...14 games?
Maybe I should look at the Champions League qualification odds instead (top 4 you get 6/5).
Can they make up 14 points on Arsenal in...14 games?
Maybe I should look at the Champions League qualification odds instead (top 4 you get 6/5).
January 31, 2026 at 9:34 PM
Liverpool look good, 300 to 1 to win the title.
Can they make up 14 points on Arsenal in...14 games?
Maybe I should look at the Champions League qualification odds instead (top 4 you get 6/5).
Can they make up 14 points on Arsenal in...14 games?
Maybe I should look at the Champions League qualification odds instead (top 4 you get 6/5).
Watching Liverpool and second screening the UEFA Swtich (basically Redzone for Champions League) and my count on seeing PSG and thinking PSV is already at 2.
January 28, 2026 at 8:13 PM
Watching Liverpool and second screening the UEFA Swtich (basically Redzone for Champions League) and my count on seeing PSG and thinking PSV is already at 2.
Marseilles can definitely do a Tifo, that's pretty awesome looking on TV.
January 21, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Marseilles can definitely do a Tifo, that's pretty awesome looking on TV.
This is a must read, absolutely bonkers story. Heath only went public so other managers would know what's happening, because it likely happened before and since.
Ex-MLS coach Adrian Heath thought the job interview might lead to the next part of the world football would take him.
Instead, it turned into a nightmare.
“I started thinking about all the good stuff about my life,” he said. “My wife. My children. My grandkids.”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
Instead, it turned into a nightmare.
“I started thinking about all the good stuff about my life,” he said. “My wife. My children. My grandkids.”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
The extraordinary story of a soccer coach, a kidnapping and a Saudi job that didn’t exist
Adrian Heath was duped into thinking he was on the verge of a new job – only to be held at knifepoint in Morocco. Turns out he's not alone
www.nytimes.com
January 21, 2026 at 1:42 PM
This is a must read, absolutely bonkers story. Heath only went public so other managers would know what's happening, because it likely happened before and since.
Go to Spain they say, the weather is great.
As Ajax seem to be playing in a monsoon at Villarreal, while it's a brisk 1C but clear and great night for some footy in Amsterdam.
As Ajax seem to be playing in a monsoon at Villarreal, while it's a brisk 1C but clear and great night for some footy in Amsterdam.
January 20, 2026 at 8:03 PM
Go to Spain they say, the weather is great.
As Ajax seem to be playing in a monsoon at Villarreal, while it's a brisk 1C but clear and great night for some footy in Amsterdam.
As Ajax seem to be playing in a monsoon at Villarreal, while it's a brisk 1C but clear and great night for some footy in Amsterdam.
It's currently Bodo/Glimt from Norway 3, Man City 0 in the Champions League and it's pretty hilarious the discrepancy between these teams value.
Oh Man City just scored, the comeback?
61'
Oh Man City just scored, the comeback?
61'
January 20, 2026 at 7:03 PM
It's currently Bodo/Glimt from Norway 3, Man City 0 in the Champions League and it's pretty hilarious the discrepancy between these teams value.
Oh Man City just scored, the comeback?
61'
Oh Man City just scored, the comeback?
61'
Reposted by Chris Tobin
AFCONbelievable
The Paneka miss for Morocco
The Paneka miss for Morocco
January 18, 2026 at 9:19 PM
AFCONbelievable
The Paneka miss for Morocco
The Paneka miss for Morocco
VAR penalty called in #AFCON final at the 98' with 8 minutes of added time.
Morocco gets the PK, in Morocco.
Pretty easy call for this ref even though it's going to decide the tourney.
Morocco gets the PK, in Morocco.
Pretty easy call for this ref even though it's going to decide the tourney.
January 18, 2026 at 9:01 PM
VAR penalty called in #AFCON final at the 98' with 8 minutes of added time.
Morocco gets the PK, in Morocco.
Pretty easy call for this ref even though it's going to decide the tourney.
Morocco gets the PK, in Morocco.
Pretty easy call for this ref even though it's going to decide the tourney.
Reposted by Chris Tobin
Everyone who’s ever tried to put an unwilling toddler to bed
January 8, 2026 at 9:08 PM
Everyone who’s ever tried to put an unwilling toddler to bed
Brenden Aaronson island, I'm glad I never sold my real estate.
He just scored the go ahead goal for Leeds at Newcastle. 2-3, 82' now. He's been on a great run of form.
He just scored the go ahead goal for Leeds at Newcastle. 2-3, 82' now. He's been on a great run of form.
January 7, 2026 at 9:59 PM
Brenden Aaronson island, I'm glad I never sold my real estate.
He just scored the go ahead goal for Leeds at Newcastle. 2-3, 82' now. He's been on a great run of form.
He just scored the go ahead goal for Leeds at Newcastle. 2-3, 82' now. He's been on a great run of form.
Fulham's sleeve sponsor just says Hi Bob.
As one of the only people to watch For All Mankind, I kind of like the stealth marketing on a really good Apple TV show.
As one of the only people to watch For All Mankind, I kind of like the stealth marketing on a really good Apple TV show.
January 4, 2026 at 4:33 PM
Fulham's sleeve sponsor just says Hi Bob.
As one of the only people to watch For All Mankind, I kind of like the stealth marketing on a really good Apple TV show.
As one of the only people to watch For All Mankind, I kind of like the stealth marketing on a really good Apple TV show.
Watching #ChampionsLeague Inter v Liverpool right now. It kind of looks like an SEC team playing away at an ACC team, one squad just has bigger dudes at most every position. It's not like they are playing a WAC team, but the difference is still noticeable if not extreme.
December 9, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Watching #ChampionsLeague Inter v Liverpool right now. It kind of looks like an SEC team playing away at an ACC team, one squad just has bigger dudes at most every position. It's not like they are playing a WAC team, but the difference is still noticeable if not extreme.
Oof
I think that might be it for the #MLSCup Final, Miami creates an early transition own goal.
Vancouver was my upset pick, but this could get away from them. The atmosphere seems pretty oppressive in Miami.
I think that might be it for the #MLSCup Final, Miami creates an early transition own goal.
Vancouver was my upset pick, but this could get away from them. The atmosphere seems pretty oppressive in Miami.
December 6, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Oof
I think that might be it for the #MLSCup Final, Miami creates an early transition own goal.
Vancouver was my upset pick, but this could get away from them. The atmosphere seems pretty oppressive in Miami.
I think that might be it for the #MLSCup Final, Miami creates an early transition own goal.
Vancouver was my upset pick, but this could get away from them. The atmosphere seems pretty oppressive in Miami.
December 5, 2025 at 7:05 PM
It took one hour and 28 minutes for FIFA to finally draw a ball.
December 5, 2025 at 6:28 PM
It took one hour and 28 minutes for FIFA to finally draw a ball.
You know the World Cup will inevitably be awesome (see Qatar 2022), but wow is FIFA again doing everything to blunt enthusiasm.
December 5, 2025 at 6:10 PM
You know the World Cup will inevitably be awesome (see Qatar 2022), but wow is FIFA again doing everything to blunt enthusiasm.
FIFA clown show in full effect.
Just get on with it, this is embarrassing.
Just get on with it, this is embarrassing.
December 5, 2025 at 5:35 PM
FIFA clown show in full effect.
Just get on with it, this is embarrassing.
Just get on with it, this is embarrassing.
The dream #F1 scenario for today:
Max wins.
Norris DNF/out of the points.
Piastri finishes 9th.
And we go to the last race of the season with a three way tie for the Championship.
Max wins.
Norris DNF/out of the points.
Piastri finishes 9th.
And we go to the last race of the season with a three way tie for the Championship.
November 30, 2025 at 4:38 PM
The dream #F1 scenario for today:
Max wins.
Norris DNF/out of the points.
Piastri finishes 9th.
And we go to the last race of the season with a three way tie for the Championship.
Max wins.
Norris DNF/out of the points.
Piastri finishes 9th.
And we go to the last race of the season with a three way tie for the Championship.