Eriq Zavaleta

Seattle Sounders FC

On 5 January 2013, it was announced by agent Ron Waxman that Zavaleta had signed a Generation Adidas contract with Major League Soccer, making him eligible for the 2013 MLS SuperDraft. On 17 January, Zavaleta was selected 10th overall by Seattle Sounders FC and immediately added to the roster. He made his professional debut on 23 March 2013, in a 1–0 loss to the San Jose Earthquakes.

Chivas USA (loan)

On 28 February 2014, Chivas USA announced that they had added Zavaleta to their roster on loan from Seattle Sounders FC for one year. In 2014, he replaced Bobby Burling as the center back was out of play after he underwent a knee surgery.

Toronto FC

On 26 January 2015, Toronto FC announced that they had traded their 2016 MLS SuperDraft second-round pick to Seattle for Zavaleta. On 5 September 2015, Zavaleta scored his first goal for Toronto in a 2–1 loss against his former club, the Seattle Sounders. In 2016, he was briefly loaned to Toronto FC II. On 23 February 2021, Zavaleta re-signed with Toronto FC. At the end of the season, his contract option was declined.

LA Galaxy

On 10 March 2022, Zavaleta signed a one-year deal with LA Galaxy. He made his debut on 19 April 2022, against the San Diego Loyal SC in the U.S. Open Cup. He later made his MLS debut against Real Salt Lake on 30 April. In February 2023, the Galaxy announced Zavaleta had signed a new two-year deal to remain with the club. On 30 October 2025, the team…

Zavaleta was part of the U.S. Soccer Residency program in 2008–09 and made 23 appearances for the United States U-17 national team during that stretch, including three appearances in the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup. Zavaleta mostly played as a defender with the under-17s. He is eligible to play for both the United States national team and El Salvador. In April 2021, it was reported that Zavaleta had gained clearance from FIFA to represent El Salvador. The next month on May 26, Zavaleta was called up to El Salvador ahead of their 2022 FIFA world Cup qualification matches. He debuted for El Salvador in a 7–0 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification win over United States Virgin Islands on 5 June 2021. He scored his first goal in a 3–0 2022 World Cup qualifier win over Antigua and Barbuda on 8 June 2021. In his third match on 16 June, he was given the captain's armband to wear, after the team's captain was substituted out.

Club

International

Scores and results list El Salvador's goal tally first.

Zavaleta is the son of Carlos and Kristi Zavaleta. He has one sister, Alexa and one brother, Casey. His father played professionally in the United States and was also a member of the El Salvador national team. He is also the nephew of former MLS and U.S. national team defender, and his current coach at LA Galaxy and former coach at Toronto FC, Greg Vanney.