Ex-Trojan Alex Martinez joins brother Enzo with USL’s Charlotte Independence
Rock Hill’s Alex Martinez has agreed to terms with the Charlotte Independence of the USL.
The deal reunites Alex with his older brother, Enzo Martinez, whom the Independence signed last week. The Uruguay natives were standouts at Northwestern in the late 2000s.
“Those were probably the two biggest factors (in my decision),” Alex said in a press release from the club. “To be close to home, close to my family and friends and where I grew up, that was the number one thing, and obviously playing with my brother is always a blessing. Playing together at the pro level is exciting for him and I, and the people that know us, it’s exciting for them as well.”
Alex Martinez was selected in the third round of the 2014 MLS SuperDraft by Sporting Kansas City. After a strong showing at the MLS Player Combine, the midfielder saw time in seven of Sporting’s 10 preseason matches, recording three assists.
Martinez made his professional debut March 15 against FC Dallas, when he entered the game during the 75th minute of a 1-1 draw. He went on to start three matches and scored his first goal during a U.S. Open Cup fourth-round win against NASL club Minnesota United FC.
Martinez was released June 30. After trialing with the Columbus Crew and San Antonio Scorpions, he signed with the USL’s Orange County Blues, where he appeared in four games and scored one goal. At the conclusion of the USL season, Martinez reached agreement with the NASL’s Carolina RailHawks in Cary, N.C.
“Alex brings MLS experience with technical savvy and a tireless work rate,” Independence coach Mike Jeffries said. “He finds the game and is always around the ball, both defensively and when we are in possession. More importantly, he brings a real competitive fire – he hates to lose on any play let alone in the game. Lastly, we are delighted to sign another top local player, one that has come up through the ranks and of which the area can be proud.”
Martinez, 23, was born in Uruguay, but his family moved to Rock Hill in 2000. He starred as a midfielder for Discoveries Soccer Club and helped Northwestern to three S.C. championships and a No. 1 ranking nationally in the ESPN and National Soccer Coaches Association of America polls. Martinez was invited to the adidas Elite Soccer Program in 2008 and 2009, earning all-star honors both years and MVP in 2008.
He began his collegiate career at High Point, where he tallied 12 goals and four assists during two seasons. After transferring to N.C. State, he recorded 13 goals and 18 assists in two seasons for the Wolfpack. He was a first team All-ACC honoree in 2012 and selected to the third team in 2013.
Martinez led the ACC in assists (10) in 2012 and finished second in points (32) and third in goals (11). He became the first N.C. State player since Henry Gutierrez in 1991 to notch double-digit goals and assists in a single season.
The Independence will make its regular-season debut at home against the Charleston Battery on March 27 at 7:30 p.m. at UNC Charlotte’s Transamerica Field.
“I think we’re all kind of anxious to get started and get all the USL games in play,” Martinez said. “Obviously (our goal is) to win the regular season and then hopefully make a run and finish off on a high once playoffs come around.
“It’s a long way from now, but the number one thing is we are looking forward to playing and getting to know each other, the team, outside of soccer. This is a new team that we have and we can make our own legacy, we can make our own history. All those things are exciting.”
The Independence have played three preseason matches, compiling a record of 0-1-2. Martinez tallied the first goal during the team’s second scrimmage against the Winthrop.
“Every game, every practice we’re looking a little better,” Martinez said. “We have to keep improving as we go, but the guys that are on the team, they’re all great and we get along fine. We have to continue to develop more of that team chemistry and grow together which will help us a lot more.”
This story was originally published March 13, 2015 at 2:48 PM with the headline "Ex-Trojan Alex Martinez joins brother Enzo with USL’s Charlotte Independence."