New York is packed with youth soccer talent, but few players ever break through to the international stage. Cortlandt’s Kevin Erazo is doing just that. 

Since August 2024, the 15-year-old 5 ‘9” goalkeeper has been receiving call-ups to train with Guatemala’s under-16 (U-16) national soccer team. In May, his dream of representing the country became a reality. 

After being notified earlier this year of his selection for an overseas mini-tournament, Erazo traveled to Guatemala on May 12, then continued on to Switzerland three days later. The National Soccer Federation of Guatemala covered the cost of his flights and hotel accommodations.

Following an opening game against New Zealand, Guatemala faced host nation Switzerland in their second match on May 20. What was supposed to be a routine day for Erazo – serving as backup for the team’s starting goalkeeper – quickly took an unexpected turn. 

“I found out I was going to start 45 minutes before kickoff,” Erazo recalled. “That’s when they posted the starting eleven. The other guys from the U.S. started congratulating me, and I was confused. Then I went up to the board, and I saw my name there.”

The sudden news left him with little time to prepare. “I wasn’t really expecting it so I didn’t have time to prepare mentally.”

Once the game began, his nerves only intensified as Switzerland scored within the opening five minutes. “It was off a corner,” Erazo said. “They played it short and it was just a good strike – straight into the top right.”

In that moment, Erazo could hardly take in what had happened. “I was still nervous at that point, so I couldn’t believe it happened – I was like ‘Wow.. five minutes in.”

Fortunately, as the game went on, Erazo settled in and regained his confidence, making a series of comfortable saves to keep Guatemala in the match. Just before halftime, Guatemala responded with an equalizer to tie the game 1-1. 

“It was right before the half ended – the last play,” Erazo said. “We sent it in off a corner, and then one of our midfielders headed it in.”

Erazo went on to play the full 90 minutes, making a crucial save in the final 10 minutes to preserve the draw. The match ended 1-1, marking Erazo’s official international debut. 

“Overall, it went well,” he said. “I enjoyed the game and the experience.”

Erazo credits Guatemala U-16 head coach William Coito for helping him through the game. “He was proud of me,” Erazo said. “At halftime, he came up to me and started telling me what I could do better. He definitely played a role in helping me get the nerves out.”. 

Guatemala’s roster for the tournament included four U.S.- born players. Erazo says in previous camps there were as many as 10.

When asked how he feels about the constant competition for a spot, Erazo was realistic. 

“I have to stay on my toes,” he said. “I can’t get comfortable. I always have to be on my game and keep working.”

Right now, Erazo is still considered the backup goalkeeper but he’s determined to change that. “I feel like I’m putting up a good fight – keeping the other guy on his toes. We’re definitely challenging each other for that one spot.”

With his first “cap” [an appearance in an official international match for a national team] under his belt, Erazo has checked off a major item on his bucket list. His goal for the future is simple: “To keep coming back to the national team.” 

Immediately after returning from Switzerland, Erazo jumped right back into action with his travel soccer club, FC Westchester. For him, there’s no time to rest.

Humble beginnings to MLS NXT

Erazo’s soccer journey began with humble roots in his hometown of Peekskill, New York.

“I was four or five years old and my mom didn’t want me not doing anything, so she put me in soccer,” Erazo recalled.

At first, he didn’t enjoy it much. He stuck with it mainly out of hesitation – and one important reason: his mom, Blanca Jerez, played too.

“When I was young, I grew up watching her,” Erazo said, remembering weekends spent at local Sunday leagues. 

Originally a defender, Erazo soon realized that position wasn’t the right fit for him. After some time, his mom decided to have him try playing as a goalkeeper. [Goalkeeper defends the goal to prevent the other team from scoring.]

“My mom saw qualities in me of a good goalkeeper,” he said. “She put me in goal. I trusted the process and I trusted her – that’s how my journey started.”

Always tall for his age, Erazo used his height to his advantage and made a smooth transition. By age 10, he started to notice he stood out. 

“It was a year after I started playing goalkeeper that people around me noticed that I was just a little bit better than everyone else in goal,” said Erazo. “When you receive that attention, it kind of changes something in your mind, and I was like ‘Oh, I really want to take this seriously.”

His first club experience was in 2019 with Just Play Soccer Club, a nonprofit organization based in Putnam Valley. Around the same time, Erazo played a season of modified soccer with Peekskill. 

By eighth grade, Erazo was ready for a new challenge. He joined Olympiacos Soccer Club New York in the Bronx, staying for about six months before moving again in search of higher competition.

Next came a year with Blau Weiss Gottschee in Queens, followed by a season with New York Soccer Club.

When asked about his frequent club changes, Erazo explained it came down to two things: level of competition and travel logistics.

“Every time that I moved I was taking a step up in levels,” he said. “Olympiacos and Gottschee were really far and I was very dependent on my mom taking me to practices. Since she recently had a back injury at the time, that drive was hard for her.”

That’s when he made the move to New York Soccer Club in White Plains, and eventually to FC Westchester – both MLS NXT teams in the area. MLS NXT, considered one of the highest levels of male travel soccer in the U.S. and Canada, is managed and organized by Major League Soccer (MLS).

Today, Erazo plays for FC Westchester and Walter Panas High School’s varsity soccer team. Despite only coaching him for one season, Walter Panas head coach Peter Pryschlak praised Erazo’s dedication to the sport in an email to the Peekskill Herald.

 “He was an outstanding student-athlete, a true competitor who constantly pushed himself and inspired those around him,” said Pryschlak. “He was consistently punctual, stayed late after training to help our attacking players, and led by example.”

“On the field, he was a high-flying goalkeeper capable of making ESPN Top 10-worthy saves. I wish him all the best and truly hope to see him on TV very soon.”

Representing Guatemala 

Erazo’s connection with Guatemala’s youth national team began in 2023, after impressing coaches during tryouts in Virginia. From there, his relationship with the coaching staff – and particularly Rigoberto Gomez – blossomed. 

In August 2024, Erazo received his first official call-up. Traveling to his family’s homeland for the first time was a no-brainer for Erazo. 

“As a kid, my mom didn’t want to send me alone, but since I got called to go practice with them – I couldn’t just leave that up.” 

Initially, the camps were strictly for training, meaning Erazo and his family had to cover all travel expenses. But with each trip, he worked his way up – from a training player to backup goalkeeper to finally earning his first international cap in May against Switzerland.

Comparing the level of play between MLS NXT and international soccer, Erazo was quick to point out the differences. 

“There’s definitely a big difference, especially with the kids from Europe,” he said. “They’re big, they’re strong, they’re fast—they can do it all. It’s definitely a big jump.”

Being born in the U.S., Erazo is eligible to represent Guatemala through his parents. His mother is from Petén, and his father is from Chiquimula. Despite being a foreign-based player, Erazo never felt like an outsider. 

“They [teammates] were very accepting,” he said. “I didn’t feel like I got treated differently.”

 Language wasn’t a barrier either. Spanish was Erazo’s first language growing up, making communication with teammates and coaches seamless.

As for why he chooses to represent Guatemala, Erazo says he’s proud to be of Guatemalan descent.

“When I put that shirt on, when I have the Guatemala symbol on me, I feel like I’m representing my family and showing all the hard work that I’ve done,” he said. “I’m not just playing for myself but for my family and everyone else from that country.”

His family couldn’t be prouder. 

“They’re really happy,” Erazo said. “I get to play for the country they live in and where they were born.”

Back home, his international debut has earned him some extra recognition. “It definitely got a couple more people at school to know about me – so that’s nice. I made a couple new friends.

Beyond soccer, Erazo has built close friendships with his Guatemala teammates, and even picked up a new nickname along the way: Donkey Kong. 

“I don’t know why,” Erazo explained. “This other guy from the U.S. just called me that at one of our dinners, and it kind of stuck. After one of the games where I made a save, I started hitting my chest—because they told me, if I make a save, I should act like a monkey. I had a lot of fun with them, and I made new friends.”

Even with the recent highs, there have been a few challenges along the way – especially balancing school and international soccer. 

“It’s really hard because you have to miss school,” Erazo said. “In January, I missed two weeks, so I really had to make up all the work when I got back. But it was a whole situation because they wouldn’t let it be excused.”

Frequent flights overseas also take a toll, says Erazo. “It’s definitely exhausting,” he said. Despite this, he says he wouldn’t trade it for anything. “When I sleep on the plane – I’m good.”

What’s Next?

The Guatemala U-16 national team won’t meet again until February for World Cup qualifiers. Though he impressed on debut, Erazo knows there’s still work ahead.

“There’s always work to do. I’m never complacent with my abilities,” he said. 

For Erazo, turning professional is the dream, but he still wants to pursue an education. 

“I want to go to college because soccer is not going to last me my whole life,” he said. “Let’s say I make it pro – I’ll have to retire one day. So I definitely want to get a degree in something for life after soccer.”

Right now, he’s considering sports medicine. 

“Earlier in my career, I spent a lot of my time injured, so I want to help athletes who could be in similar situations as I was,” Erazo said. “I don’t want someone else to go through the pain I went through.”

Outside of soccer and school, Erazo enjoys going to the gym, hanging out with friends, and playing video games, and even refereeing soccer games as a side hustle. 

From a kid who didn’t want to play, to representing a country on the international stage, Kevin Erazo’s story is only just beginning.