Soccer fans are curious about Eriq Zavaleta’s parents, Carlos (father) and Kristi (mother), as he becomes more popular for his soccer skills.
Eriq Anthony Zavaleta, born on August 2, 1992, is a professional soccer player. He plays as a center-back for the LA Galaxy in Major League Soccer.
Throughout his career, he has been a part of various American soccer clubs, including IMG Soccer Academy (2008-2009), FV Pride (2009-2010), Real Salt Lake (2010-2011), Chivas USA (2011), and Columbus Crew (2011). He also played college soccer for Indiana Hoosiers from 2011 to 2012.
Following in his father’s footsteps, Eriq joined the El Salvador national team in 2021.
If you want to know more about Eriq Zavaleta’s family, keep reading the article.
Eriq Zavaleta Parents: Meet Carlos & Kristi Zavaleta
Zavaleta’s parents are Carlos and Kristi Zavaleta. They raised him with his sister, Alexa, and brother, Casey, in Indiana, USA.
Carlos, his father, used to be a soccer player and represented El Salvador in the youth teams. He also played for UCLA, the Los Angeles Skyhawks, California Sunshine, and Phoenix Inferno after moving to the United States.
Carlos later retired from playing and became a coach. He currently runs the Indiana Soccer Academy.
On the other hand, his mother, Kristi Zavaleta, comes from a family of soccer players. She is the sister of Greg Vanney, a former soccer player and the head coach of the LA Galaxy. Eriq’s father, Carlos, also coached Greg Vanney, who now coaches Eriq at the LA Galaxy.
While his father pursued a career in soccer, his mother focused on taking care of their children, home, and family. She has always been there to support them emotionally through the ups and downs.
Eriq has made his parents incredibly proud with his achievements on the soccer field. Carlos often mentions that he sees himself playing whenever he watches his son play.
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Eriq Zavaleta Family, Ethnicity & Religion
People might think that Zavaleta’s ethnicity is only American, but actually, he has a mixed ethnicity.
His father, Carlos Zavaleta, was born in El Salvador but moved to the US with his family when he was 18 years old.
On the other hand, the player’s mother, Kristi, is from South Boston, Virginia, and has American ethnicity.
So, Eriq Zavaleta ethnicity is American-Salvadoran because of his parents’ backgrounds.
Even though he was born in Westfield, Indiana, USA, he has dual nationality. This means he is a citizen of both the United States and El Salvador.
Born in the States, Zavaleta played mostly for several American clubs, but he also plays in the national team of El Salvador.
He has kept pride in representing both communities and playing for both. Such humility comes from his father, who never let him forget his roots and encouraged him to embrace his surroundings.
Both Zavaleta’s father and son have inspired people of their ethnicity and continue to do so.
Additionally, the soccer player has not expressly mentioned anything about his religion but is a Christian and follows Christianity.
Moreover, Eriq puts faith in Christ and finds a way back to remember him in his good and bad times. He also celebrates all the Christian festivities.
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