Toronto FC defender Eriq Zavaleta has mixed feeling about Seattle days
TORONTO — Eriq Zavaleta is the lone member of Toronto FC’s roster that has history with the Seattle Sounders, the opposition in Saturday’s MLS Cup final.
And the 24-year-old defender, who has found a home in Toronto as part of a tenacious three-man backline, has mixed feelings about his short time in the Pacific Northwest.
Taken 10th overall by Seattle in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft, ironically using a pick acquired from Toronto, Zavaleta was initially excited to be headed to the Sounders. Coach Sigi Schmid played with his father Carlos Zavaleta at UCLA and Eriq saw Seattle as an exciting soccer town.
Signed to a Generation Adidas contract by the league, Zavaleta gave up his last two years of college eligibility. And he arrived as the Big Ten offensive player of the year with 18 goals and four assists in helping Indiana win the NCAA title.