Just Because presented by Hallmark: Sporting forward Erik Hurtado

You may keep up with Sporting Kansas City on the pitch, but what about away from the field?

Just Because, presented by Hallmark, is a feature series on SportingKC.com that provides an exclusive look into the lives of players outside of soccer—because everyday moments are sometimes worth celebrating just like a game-winning goal.

In the sixth edition of Just Because, we catch up with forward Erik Hurtado, who joined Sporting Kansas City this season and scored two pivotal game-winning goals during a resurgent month of August.

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What is the best part about living and working in Kansas City?

Playing soccer for Sporting KC. Also, the Barbecue. I love food and I’ve never had barbecue like I have here.

What is your favorite place to eat in the KC area? What do you order?

Q39. I order the burnt end appetizer and then the best wings on the planet. That’s literally what they’re called. I don’t know if they’re the very best ones, but they’re very good.

Other than soccer, which sport would you want to go pro in?

Football. I would play safety and just hit some people.

Who has been the biggest influence in your life?

My mom. I've learned just about everything from her.

What athlete did you look up to growing up?

Ronaldinho. I just loved how he played. He always had a smile on his face, he didn’t flop, he always played strong and his feet were magical. He could always manipulate the balls in different ways.

What accomplishment are you most proud of?

Becoming a professional soccer player.

Who is your favorite musical artist?

Lil Wayne. And my favorite song is "We Be Steady Mobbing."

If you had to listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?

"I’m Single" by Lil Wayne.

What is your favorite movie?

Gosh, I love a lot of movies. I can’t pick just one.

Are you hooked on any TV shows?

Tons. Everyone says Game of Thrones. Another good one was Lost. That’s my number one.

What other professional sports teams do you support?

The Portland Trail Blazers. I like watching all sports, but if I had a team it would be the Blazers because I’m from Portland.

What is your favorite place to travel to for a vacation?

Hawaii. I’ve been there five times.

What is the coolest place you have visited?

I went to Rwanda on a mission trip when I was 17. That was probably the coolest, best experience.

If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be and why?

My girlfriend because I love her.

Which of your teammates is a must-follow on social media and why?

That's a good question. I follow everyone. Everyone has good content. You should follow the whole team.

If you could be any animal in the world, what would it be and why?

A tiger or a lion. They’re beasts.

Do you have any gameday rituals or superstitions?

I put on a different Lil Wayne album or mixtape before every game and just listen to that in the locker room and on my way to the game.

Aside from the team’s workouts, what does your strength training consist of?

I haven’t really been doing much because I broke my wrist in March. I haven’t done anything outside of what we do here. I can’t do any upper body. Maybe I’ll do some core workouts, once or twice a week outside of the gym here. I haven’t done much here. Before that I did a couple sets of pull-ups, sit-ups, push-ups. A couple sets of squats, especially split squats to get my balance up.

How many tattoos do you have, and do you have a favorite?

I have five tattoos. My favorite one is this band on my arm. It symbolizes me my brother and my sister, and it’s us unified together. It says “Family Over Everything” on the inside.

Was your goal celebration against Minnesota United FC inspired by Lebron James’ signature floor push or something else?

Yes it was. Of course. I’ve been waiting for the right time to use it and it just felt right.