Edwin Cerrillo remembers his professional debut in 2019.
“It was actually against the Galaxy,” the former FC Dallas defensive midfielder said. “It was my second game on the roster, second game of the season, my whole family came into town.
“I remember going to breakfast with 20-25 people. The second half started, I got my name called and when I first heard, I wasn’t sure if I heard it right, but I remember running to the bench and putting on my jersey and the whole time I was thinking of my parents watching me. I remember that day like it was yesterday.”
On Saturday, the 22-year-old Texas native had another debut, this time as a member of the Galaxy.
“I was pretty nervous, all day,” he said Monday. “It felt like I was 18, getting ready to play my first game.
“I woke up excited, as it got closer I got a little nervous, then excited again.”
The nerves didn’t show on the field as Cerrillo, who was acquired in a trade with FC Dallas on Aug. 3, completed 98 of 100 passes, recorded three interceptions and was credited with six possessions won as the Galaxy defeated Chicago 3-0.
“I felt very comfortable,” he said of the game. “I settled into the game, pretty calm when the game started and I felt at home.”
The Galaxy visits San Jose on Wednesday (Apple TV+, 7:30 p.m.)
Born in Waco, Cerrillo joined FC Dallas’ youth system at 14. In 2021, he played 22 games and 32 in 2022. He made 19 appearances this season before the trade for $200,000 in General Allocation Money.
“I was able to get familiar with teammates, we played two intersquad scrimmages in the stadium, so that helped so that we weren’t shocked being out there,” he said. “This time really made it a lot easier to go out there and be as calm as I was.
“I was very comfortable playing with Uri (Rosell) and Riqui (Puig), it just makes things a lot easier. I want to help the team win, I want to do my job.”
Cerrillo was one of four new players to make their debuts with the Galaxy on Saturday, along with Billy Sharp, Maya Yoshida and Michael Barrios. Cerrillo replaces Gaston Brugman, who is out for the rest of the season.
“I thought he was excellent,” Galaxy coach Greg Vanney said of Cerrillo. “We gave him a role and I thought he executed it really well. He stayed in those controlled defensive positions, which helped us to control transitions and keep control of a game that we didn’t want to let it get up and down. He was nearly flawless with the ball, so when you have midfielders who are in front of the back line who don’t lose the ball, you’re much more stable in terms of transition moments.”
Not bad for a guy who was dealing with nerves before the game.
Cerrillo’s initial Galaxy debut was set for Aug. 20 against Real Salt Lake and his family was in town for that game, but it was postponed and rescheduled due to Hurricane Hilary. He said his family will be back next month.
“The way one of the coaches describe it, he has very quiet feet,” Vanney said. “Which means he’s not all over the place, he’s where he needs to be, he takes the ball in soft, he gets you out of situations that look like jams, he’s just very clean and tidy.
“We needed a midfielder who could step in today and help us to try to get to the playoffs and Edwin is, I think, one of better young defensive midfielders in the league.”
Galaxy at San Jose
When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday
Where: PayPal Park, San Jose
How to watch: Apple TV (MLS Season Pass)