Boys’ soccer program at Cathedral High thrives with some brotherly love

Some families argue about food, others about politics. Then there’s the Lopez family, whose soccer loyalties are challenged and tested seemingly every day.

“It’s a deep-rooted passion in our family,” Sal Lopez said.

Luckily, the four Lopez brothers are in agreement about one specific soccer subject -- their dedication to L.A. Cathedral High. Since 1991, when Sal became Cathedral’s soccer coach and used his stipend to help pay for two of his younger brothers’ tuition, the Lopez brothers have been attached to the program.

This season, Sal, 38, and Arturo, 34, serve as co-head coaches for the Del Rey League champions, with Francisco, 37, coaching the freshman team, and Moises, 24, serving as goalkeepers coach. Arturo’s son, 14-year-old Artie, is a freshman on the varsity team.

Meanwhile, back at home, the matriarch and patriarch of the family, Maria and Salvador, who grew up in Guadalajara, refuse to compromise when it comes to rooting for Atlas or Chivas, two of the three professional teams in that city. Mom is a Chivas fan, Dad goes for Atlas, and it’s war every time the teams play.

“There’s really not a week where I don’t walk into a room and they’re not watching something about soccer,” Artie said. “When my grandpa’s team loses, he starts getting mad and leaves. That’s how important it is.”

The brothers have coached 11 league championship teams at Cathedral, which opens the Southern Section Division 4 playoffs Thursday against Lakewood Artesia. Sal came back two years ago after winning a Southern Section girls’ title at Pasadena La Salle because it has been his dream to win a section title at Cathedral.

“We started this whole legacy,” Sal said.

About the only family members not into soccer are the sisters, Jarazeth, 30, and Diana, 21, who were into basketball.

“Soccer has been that one mechanism or one instrument that has kept us close,” Arturo said. “It’s been in our blood since we were born.”

All the boys played at Cathedral. Sal coached two of his brothers, and Arturo coached Moises. Francisco was considered the best player in the family.

“He was a national talent, but the hardest-working was Sal,” Arturo said. “One worked his butt off to become good and the other was lazy and had natural talent.”

Francisco joined the Marines and has brought discipline learned in the military into coaching. Sal is considered the most aggressive of the brothers, with Arturo known for his player communication skills and soccer experience.

“I see myself as a mentor to them and take that responsibility very seriously,” Arturo said.

Moises knows what his brothers don’t -- how to play goalie.

“It’s a great feeling to help,” he said.

Probably no one endures more pressure than Artie, though the presence of his three uncles makes it easier to talk with somebody.

“I didn’t think all my uncles would be working here at the same time,” he said. “It’s a surprise but it’s fun.”

Arturo is enjoying every moment coaching his son since he made it a point not to coach him during youth ball.

“It’s a treat,” he said. “I love it.”

And big brother Sal couldn’t be happier sharing coaching duties with his brothers and getting to coach his nephew.

“For me, it’s a dream,” he said. “It’s one of those things that happens once in a lifetime.”

eric.sondheimer@latimes.com

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