Eric Wynalda
Isabella Little
Published Apr 07, 2026
Wynalda in 2010, photo by Keadrick D. Washington/PR Photos
Birth Name: Eric Boswell Wynalda
Place of Birth: Fullerton, Orange, California, United States
Date of Birth: June 9, 1969
Ethnicity:
*father – Frisian/Dutch
*mother – Scottish, English, distant German and Irish
Eric Wynalda is an American professional soccer player and coach, and television commentator. He has played for the San Diego Nomads, the San Francisco Bay Blackhawks, 1. FC Saarbrücken, VfL Bochum, the San Jose Clash, León, Miami Fusion, the New England Revolution, the Chicago Fire, the Charleston Battery, the Bakersfield Brigade, and the U.S. national team. He has been coach of Cal FC, the Atlanta Silverbacks, the L.A. Wolves, the Las Vegas Lights, and New Amsterdam, and assistant coach of San Diego Flash.
Eric is married to Amanda Fletcher. He has three children.
Eric’s paternal grandfather was Alvin Wynalda (the son of Martin Wynalda/Wynalder and Katherine/Catherine/Tryntje Bergsma). Alvin was born in Arum, Friesland, Netherlands. Martin was the son of David Wynalda and Margaret Jacobs Hemstra.
Eric’s paternal grandmother was Della Rykse (the daughter of George Rykse and Anna De Ruiter/DeRuiter). Della was born in Michigan, of Dutch descent. George was the son of Willem Rykse. Anna was the daughter of Anneko DeRuiter and Jantje Oostema.
Eric’s maternal grandfather was Bill Joe Boswell (the son of Evault Marion Boswell and Lucille/Lucile Lee Lemley). Bill Joe was born in Missouri. Evault was the son of Joseph Marion Boswell and Julia Anna Dean. Lucille was the daughter of William Lijah Lemley and Alma Edith Gibson.
Eric’s maternal grandmother was Naomi Jean Moss (the daughter of Sidney Lee Moss and Flora Lee Benham). Sidney was the son of Thomas Wallace Moss and Mollie Coker. Flora was the daughter of William Robert Benham and Myrtle Agnes Hogan.
Sources: Eric’s paternal grandfather, Alvin Wynalda, on the 1930 U.S. Census –
Death record of Eric’s paternal great-grandfather, Martin Wynalda/Wynalder –
Obituary of Eric’ paternal great-grandmother, Katherine/Catherine/Tryntje (Bergsma) Wynalda –
Eric’s paternal grandmother, Della Rykse, on the 1940 U.S. Census –
Death records of Eric’s paternal great-grandparents, George Rykse and Anna De Ruiter/DeRuiter –
Eric’s maternal grandfather, Bill Joe Boswell, on the 1940 U.S. Census –
Genealogy of Eric’s maternal great-grandmother, Lucille/Lucile Lee Lemley –
Eric’s maternal great-grandmother, Flora Lee Benham, on the 1910 U.S. Census –