Eugene Martínez (footballer, born 1997)

Eugene Chris Martínez (born 20 October 1997), also known as Pele Martínez, is a Belizean professional footballer who plays as a defender for the Belize national football team.

Eugene Martínez
Personal information
Full name Eugene Chris Martínez[1]
Date of birth (1997-10-20) 20 October 1997
Place of birth Belize City, Belize
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Defender
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2018–2019 Cerritos Falcons 44 (2)
2021–2022 Cal Poly Pomona Broncos 36 (3)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2015–2016 Wagiya
2016–2017 Belmopan Bandits
2017 Dangria YFA
2017–2018 Belize Defence Force
2018 L.A. Wolves FC
2022–2023 Flash FC 2 (0)
2023 Vancouver FC 11 (0)
International career‡
2022– Belize 7 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 12 September 2023
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 16 April 2023

College career

In 2018, he began attending Cerritos College where he played for the men's soccer team.[2] He scored his first collegiate goal on 27 August 2019 against the Fullerton Hornets.[3] In 2018, he was named to the All-South Coast Conference Second Team.[4] In 2018, he was named to the All-South Coast Conference First Team.[5]

In 2021, he began attending California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, where he played for the men's soccer team.[3] He scored his first goal on 2 September 2021 against the Point Loma Sea Lions.[3] In 2022, he earned All-CCAA honorable mention honours.[6]

Club career

Martínez spent the early part of his career in the Premier League of Belize,[7] playing with Wagiya SC (2015-2016),[8] Belmopan Bandits (2016–17),[9] Dangria Youth Futbol Academy (2017),[10] and Belize Defence Force FC (2017–18).[11]

In 2018, Martínez played with L.A. Wolves FC in the United Premier Soccer League.[2] In 2022, he began playing with Flash FC in the United Premier Soccer League,[12] and in 2023 he helped them reach the semi-finals of the UPSL SoCal Regional Cup, scoring four goals.[13]

In February 2023, Martínez signed with Vancouver FC of the Canadian Premier League, after participating in the club's open trials.[14][15] He was named to the league's Team of the Week for the first time in May for Week 7.[16] In June 2023, Martínez was suspended for three games after elbowing Cavalry FC player Roberto Alarcón in their match on June 11.[17] In August 2023, he agreed to mutually terminate his contract with the club.[18]

International career

While in high school, he attracted the attention of the Belize youth national team, playing with them and having plenty of success.[19]

In 2022, he represented the Belize senior national team in the 2022–23 CONCACAF Nations League B.[14] He was again called up to the squad in March 2023, becoming Vancouver FC's first international player in the process.[20]

Personal life

Martinez founded the Pele Soccer Foundation in his native country of Belize, which teaches youth the fundamentals of football, collects new clothes and equipment for the children, and instills the importance of pursuing an education.[14]

References
  1. Eugene Martínez at National-Football-Teams.com
  2. "Eugene Martinez Cerritos profile". Cerritos College. Archived from the original on 2023-04-19. Retrieved 2023-02-23.
  3. "Pele Martinez Cal Poly Pomona profile". Cal Poly Pomona Broncos. Archived from the original on 2023-02-23. Retrieved 2023-02-23.
  4. "M. Soccer: State tournament-bound Falcons pick up conference awards". Cerritos College. November 26, 2018. Archived from the original on April 19, 2023. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  5. "M. Soccer: Two Falcons earn All-American honors". Cerritos College. December 16, 2019. Archived from the original on April 19, 2023. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  6. Oliden, James (February 7, 2023). "Eight Broncos awarded with prestigious All-CCAA honors". The Poly Post. Archived from the original on February 23, 2023. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  7. Morales Iglesias, Rubén (24 February 2023). "Belizean Eugene 'Pele' Martinez to play in Canada Premier League with expansion team Vancouver FC". Breaking Belize News. Archived from the original on 27 March 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  8. "PLB Opening Season Week 2 results, standings, schedule". Amandala. August 28, 2015. Archived from the original on February 24, 2023. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  9. "Sporting Highlights with James Adderley". Channel 5 Belize. March 14, 2016. Archived from the original on February 24, 2023. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  10. "Mayors Cup quarterfinals, 2 games played, 2 more this Friday". Amandala. July 5, 2017. Archived from the original on April 19, 2023. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  11. "P.G.'s Freedom Fighters shock BDF in PLB season opener". Amandala. January 20, 2018. Archived from the original on February 24, 2023. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  12. "Flash FC 2022 Stats". United Premier Soccer League. Archived from the original on 2023-03-08. Retrieved 2023-03-08.
  13. "Flash FC Defender Eugene Pele Martinez Signs for Vancouver FC in Canadian Premier League". United Premier Soccer League. 7 March 2023. Archived from the original on 8 March 2023. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  14. "Vancouver FC signs trio out of open trials". Canadian Premier League. February 23, 2023. Archived from the original on February 23, 2023. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  15. Jacques, John (February 23, 2023). "Vancouver FC Adds Trio From Open Trials". Northern Tribune. Archived from the original on February 24, 2023. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  16. Nava, David (May 29, 2023). "Eugene "Pele" Martinez named to the Team of the Week for Week 7". Vancouver FC.
  17. Jacques, John (June 16, 2023). "Vancouver FC Iron Man Pele Martinez Handed Three-Match Ban". Northern Tribune.
  18. Jacques, John (August 3, 2023). "Vancouver FC Adds Fry On Loan, Parts Ways With Two Defenders". Northern Tribune.
  19. Tierney, Mitchell (April 27, 2023). "'I'm grateful for the name': 'Pele' Martinez looking to impress with Vancouver FC". Canadian Premier League.
  20. Jacques, John (March 19, 2023). "Club History: Vancouver FC's 'Pele' Martinez Called Up For Belize". Northern Tribune. Archived from the original on March 19, 2023. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
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