Erik joins the Pateadores Soccer Club after spending 13 years with the Laguna Hills Eclipse/Strikers OC organization. Having coached every age group in club soccer and being on the coaching staff of two National Championship (2005/2010) teams, he has enormous experience to continue to reach high levels with his team. He has also coached high school (Cerritos HS) for ten years and at the Jr College level (Cypress College) for five. Winning six high school league titles, numerous tournaments, and reaching the CIF finals were all highlights in his high school coaching career. Named Coach of the Year three times in the San Gabriel Valley League and coaching three All-Americans, Jorge Salcedo (UCLA head coach), Eddie Soto (USF head coach) and Eddie Lewis (UCLA, EPL player, LA Galaxy and USMNT legend) have been some of his greatest accolades.
Soccer has been a life long passion for Erik. He was a Cerritos HS All-League Selection from his sophomore year on and MVP of the Santa Ana and Huntington Beach tournaments in his junior and senior year. Played club soccer for Cerritos United SC, Lacycer United and NHB Soccer Club, was an ODP and Regional team selections as a youth player, and playing college soccer at Cal State Dominguez Hills is experience he will bring to our club. After retiring from playing, 20 years with Artesia DES Soccer Club of the former PSL Semi-Pro League, his passion continues with coaching. He has placed countless players in all college levels and divisions in both the boys and girls sides. His ultimate goal with the Pats is to continue with the development of young players to reach their full potential on and off the field. His philosophy has always been simple: be fundamentally sound and work hard at practice and games; success will follow.
Coach Erik resides in Mission Viejo with his wife, Joy, and four kids, Brianna (22), Cooper (15), Hamilton (12) and Pierce (10). In his spare time, he still loves and continues to play the beautiful game and is also a member of a local rock band as music is his second love.