Meet Danny Trejo, the son of Valley agricultural workers drafted by Los Angeles Football Club

Daniel Trejo grew up in Mendota, the son of agricultural workers from Michoacán and the youngest of seven children.

He vividly remembers his older siblings playing soccer and finally joining their ranks when he was about 10 years old.

“It kind of felt, for me, like soccer was a sport that was in the family already,” Trejo said. “I was just happy I was able to play.”

And that joy has carried on throughout his soccer career. Trejo, now 24, is the first player from Mendota to be drafted by a professional sports organization. The Major League Soccer team Los Angeles Football Club signed Trejo, a former 2017 Fresno Bee Player of the Year, last year and he is now making a name for himself and his Central Valley city.

Trejo broke state records as a senior playing for the Mendota High School Aztecs. In 2017, he broke the state’s all-time scorer record with 200 goals. He also broke his older brother Javier’s 2009-2010 single-season Central Section scoring record.

“My brother always wanted me to break his record,” Trejo said. “I remember getting closer to his record and him telling me, ‘Danny, you can do it!’”

Trejo eventually achieved 65 season goals, besting his brother’s record of 56 goals by 9.

The Aztecs honored Trejo by retiring his jersey number — 10. He then moved away from Mendota to enroll at Cal State Northridge, where he continued to play soccer until he graduated.

Despite growing up in a low-income agricultural community with minimal access to club clinics or student summer programs, Trejo still found his way to a professional team. Initially drafted in 2021 to play for the LAFC’s second team, he now is signed as a first team player.

The Fresno Bee interviewed Trejo on Aug. 29 about his trajectory and professional aspirations. The interview was edited for length and clarity.

Was soccer part of your childhood in Mendota?

Soccer was always a part of my family. I grew up playing soccer in school in Mendota, and my brothers were really into soccer as well.

When I was little, I would go and watch their high school soccer games. That kind of made me feel like I was connected to the sport and with my family.

As I got older, I grew up getting more involved with the sport as well. That’s when I started performing at a higher level.

Did you ever go to club clinics or summer programs while playing varsity?

I think I had a different way of making it to this level. Playing in a small community like Mendota, like small towns in the Central Valley, we don’t really have a lot of teams to go play with.

I look back at it now, and it was a process where no matter where I was, I continued to work hard. I think I was lucky enough to have a coach in Mendota when I was 10 years old, who helped me learn the game and get better.

From there on, I just continued to play the game wherever I had the chance. Compared to other players who go through professional programs, I trained through school. I played in elementary, junior high and then high school. I was lucky to get myself a scholarship and that’s when I came here, south to Los Angeles, and played here before getting drafted to LAFC.

How does it feel to play professional soccer?

It’s something that I’m definitely happy about! It’s something that I’ve been working hard for, for my whole life. I’m very happy I’m here, but for me it’s just the start.

I think about how everywhere I’ve been, I’ve set goals for myself to try to overcome. And I’ve raised the bar now that I’m here with LAFC. My goal now is to help them. I know their steps, but I know I’m going to be something special for this team and hope to contribute as much as I can.

Which Major League Soccer teams did you follow as a kid?

I remember watching a lot of the MLS teams, and now, coming to LAFC to see — and play with — Carlos Vela, obviously, is great! Growing up, it was great to see him play and follow his career. I am very happy, too, to get to share the field with him.

Have you met the other Danny Trejo, the Mexican-American actor?

Yeah! I met Danny Trejo last year. I was putting gas in my car and I saw him walk into the gas station store. By the time I was finished with the gas, he was on his way out.

I came up to him and introduced myself, because he had given me some words of encouragement before the draft in 2021. I don’t remember exactly what he said, but he was happy for me, wanted to see what I’ve got and said to make the name proud.

It was a cool moment to share with him for sure.

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What’s your advice for kids pursuing their passion in sports or other activities?

For any kid that has aspirations of playing at the next level, I think it all starts with hard work, believing in yourself and putting the work in. To be honest, I think a lot of people say they want to reach a certain level, but you’re really not going to get there if you don’t work hard.

Growing up in Mendota, I always want to make the people there and the Central Valley proud. So, for all the kids out there that have a dream, everything is possible. Just work hard and believe in yourself.