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Erica Cunningham

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In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Cunningham and the second or maternal family name is Rodríguez.
Erica Cunningham
Cunningham being unveiled by Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park
Personal information
Full name Erica Alicia Cunningham Rodríguez
Birth name Erica Alicia Cunningham[1]
Date of birth (1993-03-25) 25 March 1993 (age 31)
Place of birth San Francisco, California, U.S.
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
 Eastern Flames FC
Number 25
Youth career
Santa Rosa United
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2012–2013 Santa Rosa Junior College
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2017–2019 Lugano 17 (1)
2019–2020 FC Zürich 9 (1)
2021 Norrköping 7 (0)
2022 Blackburn Rovers 0 (0)
2023– Eastern Flames FC 7 (0)
International career‡
2024– Nicaragua 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 26 April 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 14 July 2024

Erica Alicia Cunningham Rodríguez (born 25 March 1993) is a professional football player who plays as a defender for Saudi Women's Premier League club Eastern Flames FC. Born in the United States, she plays for the Nicaragua women's national team.[2] Cunningham has previously played professionally in Europe for FF Lugano, Zurich[3] and IFK Norrkoping.[4] She is best known for her athleticism, physical strength on the ball, and abilities to use both feet.

Youth career

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Cunningham played for Santa Rosa United[5] before moving to the Santa Rosa Junior College where she won the state championship. She transferred to study at the University of San Francisco and represent San Francisco Dons women's soccer in the NCAA Division I. [6]

Club career

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Cunningham started her professional playing career with FF Lugano 1976 between 2017 and 2019 in the Swiss Women's Super League before transferring to rivals FC Zurich[7][8] for the 2019/20 season. She played for Zurich in the 2019/20 UEFA Women's Champions League season.[9]

On 13 July 2021, she was signed by Swedish Elitettan side, IFK Norrkoping.[10][11]

On 28 January 2022, Cunningham was signed by Blackburn Rovers[12][13] on a short-term contract ahead of the remainder of the 2021–22 FA Women's Championship season.[14][15]

International career

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Cunningham is eligible to play for either the United States, the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Mexico or Nicaragua.[16][17] She made her debut for the latter on 14 July 2024 as a second-half substitution in a 0–0 friendly home draw against Panama.[18]

Personal life

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Cunningham can speak Chinese. She is of Mexican, Irish, and Nicaraguan descent.[19]

References

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  1. ^ "Erica Alicia Cunningham, Born 03/25/1993 in California". CaliforniaBirthIndex.org.
  2. ^ FC, Blackburn Rovers (28 January 2022). "Cunningham: I'm super excited". Blackburn Rovers FC. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  3. ^ "The Week in Women's Football: UEFA Champions League Round of 32 preview: Lugano emphasis on US recruitment; – Tribal Football". www.tribalfootball.com. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  4. ^ "Blackburn Rovers confirm double addition of defender Cunningham and midfielder Zajmi". OneFootball. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  5. ^ Ltd, TheGridNet. "Blackburn Rovers confirm double addition of defender Cunningham and midfielder Zajmi at fawslfulltime.co.uk". The Stuttgart Grid. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
  6. ^ "Cunningham – Blackburn is where I'm supposed to be". Her Football Hub. 18 February 2022. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
  7. ^ "Erica Cunningham – Player Profile – Football". Eurosport. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  8. ^ "Neuzugang Erica Cunningham". FC Zürich (in German). Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  9. ^ Frith, Wilf (29 January 2022). "Blackburn Rovers Ladies sign Irish defender and Slovenian midfielder". SheKicks. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  10. ^ "Välkommen till IFK, Erica Cunningham". IFK Norrköping (in Swedish). 13 July 2021. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  11. ^ "Erica Cunningham". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  12. ^ "Erica Cunningham Stats, News, Bio". ESPN. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  13. ^ "Transfer Tracker | GirlsontheBall". Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  14. ^ "Blackburn Rovers confirm double addition of defender Cunningham and midfielder Zajmi". FAWSL Full-Time. 28 January 2022. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  15. ^ Hodges, Zoe (29 January 2022). "Tara Bourne recalled to go on loan to Blackburn Rovers". Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  16. ^ VAVEL.com (1 March 2022). "Erica Cunningham's story: An American born, Irish citizen, playing for Blackburn Rovers". VAVEL. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
  17. ^ "Cunningham – Blackburn is where I'm supposed to be". Her Football Hub. 18 February 2022. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  18. ^ 📡 EN VIVO ⚽️ Futbol Femenil Internacional | Nicaragua 🇳🇮🆚🇵🇦 Panamá | Amistoso on YouTube
  19. ^ 🤩 Thursday Night Live ft. Erica Cunningham | #WePlayStrong, 10 February 2022, retrieved 18 February 2022
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