Maryland native Alexis Cerritos carries forward family name with pro soccer career

By Evan Unger, EDPSoccer.com

Ronald Cerritos is one of the most decorated players to come out of El Salvador. Tenth all time in appearances for his home nation, Cerritos was also a star player in Major League Soccer.

In his first year in the MLS with the San Jose Clash, he was named to the MLS Best XI, and in 118 appearances with the club scored 55 goals. Cerritos went on to play for several MLS clubs in his career, including stints with Dallas Burn, Houston Dynamo and D.C. United. Following his playing career, Cerritos settled in Maryland and started the Cerritos Soccer Academy,  a soccer club serving youth players in the DC Metro Area.

Now, former EDP Soccer player Alexis Cerritos is looking to follow in his father’s footsteps. After playing for Cerritos Soccer Academy, Alexis joined the D.C. United Academy in 2015. During his time with the D.C. United Academy, Alexis was called into the El Salvador U-17 National team for the 2017 CONCACAF U-17 Championship. During the event, he appeared in all matches and scored the team’s only goal in the event. In total, he appeared 7 times for the U-17 National team, scoring 3 goals.

Alexis stated: “I grew up playing in the EDP League and it was always very competitive and organized. A lot of the great talent in our area also came through EDP, so there was familiarity with other top players as I progressed in my career.”

Following the CONCACAF U-17 Championship, Alexis earned a call up to the El Salvador National Team in October 2017. At 17 years old, Alexis made his debut for the full national team in the side’s 1-0 victory over Canada, making him the second youngest player to ever appear for the nation and the first player born in the 21st century.

“Having the chance to play for the National Team was an unbelievable experience, a dream come true, and a feeling I didn’t expect to get at such a young age. I will always be thankful and grateful that I was given that opportunity,” Alexis said.

Alexis’ success earned him a spot with C.F. Pachuca, one of the most successful clubs in Mexico. With C.F Pachuca, Alexis played with the U20 team, and in July 2019 he came back to Maryland to rejoin the D.C. United System with Loudon United FC of USL Championship. Alexis is currently on trial with Orange County SC, and is excited to continue on his journey, and add to the legacy of the Cerritos name in professional soccer.