Stats

Position: Midfielder/Forward 
College: California State University, Monterey Bay 
Hometown: Santa Cruz, California 
Date of Birth: August 17, 1998 (25)
Height: 5’11
Weight: 174
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Walmer Martínez

Acquired

Transferred to Monterey Bay F.C. from Hartford Athletic on December 22, 2021. 

Professional Career

2023 Monterey Bay
Martínez made 22 starts in 32 matches played in all competitions for a total of 1,955 minutes in 2023. Martínez began the year as a winger before transitioning to left back in Frank Yallop’s five-man back line by season’s end. He added the third most tackles on the team with 41 and recorded 34 clearances, 28 interceptions, 22 chances created. His performance in defense throughout the year earned him additional international call-ups from El Salvador in the fall. Martínez also added two assists on the season, both of which came against Las Vegas in September.

2022 Monterey Bay
The Santa Cruz native joined the Crisp and Kelp as the Club’s first-ever signing and went on to start in 16 of his 24 appearances for a total of 1,419 minutes. The local kid went on to score the first-ever goal at Cardinale Stadium – the game-winner – in the Union’s inaugural home opening match on May 7. Martínez finished his first playing professionally on his home peninsula with two goals and 15 chances created offensively, and added 32 tackles, 17 clearances and 13 interceptions on the defensive end. Martínez represented the Club in USL Championship’s Team of the Week in Week 9.

2021 Hartford Athletic
After spending the 2019 and 2020 campaigns with USL League Two sides Des Moines Menace & Project 51O, Martínez joined Hartford Athletic for his first season in USL Championship. While in Connecticut in 2021, Martínez recorded two goals and one assist in 1,150 minutes across 19 appearances (13 starts) for the club. In addition, Martínez scored his first professional brace in a 2-0 win over Charleston Battery on October 27, 2021. 

International Career

El Salvador National Team
On June 5, 2021, Martinez made his international debut for El Salvador in a 7-0 win against the U.S. Virgin Islands. He scored his first international goal three days later in a 3-0 victory against Antigua and Barbuda and has gone on to make 16 appearances for the side while recording two goals. He was called up to the El Salvador squad to play at the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup and has also seen action in the final stage of FIFA 2022 World Cup Qualifying, competing against the United States, Mexico and Canada. 

Collegiate Career

A graduate of Soquel High School, Martínez began his impressive soccer career at Cabrillo College where he started in all 19 matches and led the Seahawks with 15 goals and five assists during his sophomore season. He then transferred to California State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB) where he finished second all-time in assists (16) and fifth all-time in goals (17). In his senior year alone, Martínez claimed the second-best attacking season in CSUMB Men’s Soccer history, recording 13 goals and 33 points. His CSUMB accolades include: CoSIDA Academic All-American®, United Soccer Coaches All-Region, First team All-CCAA and 2019/20 CSUMB Male Athlete of the Year.