Brianna Martinez
Brianna Cathleen Martinez is an American professional soccer player who plays as a right back for USL Super League club Carolina Ascent. She played college soccer for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and began her professional career with the Orlando Pride in 2023, winning the NWSL Shield and NWSL Championship in her second season. She is a former youth international for the [United States women's national association football|soccer team|United States], winning the 2020 CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship.
Early life
Martinez was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She played club soccer for New Mexico Rush and was ranked as one of the top prospects of the class of 2019. She played four years of high school soccer at Volcano Vista High School.College career
Martinez was a five-year starter for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, making 91 appearances from 2018 to 2022. She captained the team during her last two years and scored her only two collegiate goals as a senior in the 2021 season. In the 2022 season, she helped lead the Fighting Irish to the quarterfinals of the NCAA championship. She was placed in the final spot for postseason penalty shoot-outs in her last two seasons and converted kicks to defeat Purdue in the 2021 NCAA second round and Pittsburgh in the 2022 ACC first round.Club career
Orlando Pride
Martinez was drafted 17th overall by Racing Louisville FC in the 2023 NWSL Draft but did not sign with the club. She was invited to train with the Orlando Pride as a non-rostered player in the 2023 preseason and agreed to a one-year contract with an option for an additional year. She made her professional debut on April 23, coming on as an 84th-minute substitute for Haley McCutcheon in a 2–0 loss to the Kansas City Current. She made her first start on May 10, playing the full 4–2 loss to the Washington Spirit in the 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup. During her rookie season, she made eight regular-season appearances and played in four games in the Challenge Cup. After the season, the Pride exercised her player option.Martinez made her first regular-season start on March 22, 2024, playing the full 1–1 draw at center back against Angel City FC. She became a regular starter at right back in the early part of the season except when center back Rafaelle was healthy and pushed Emily Sams to Martinez's position. On June 25, her contract was extended to the end of the 2025. On July 21, she suffered a non-contact injury to her left leg during the game against the North Carolina Courage in the 2024 NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup. After the injury, she did not play for the remainder of the season but appeared on the bench for several games. Orlando was undefeated during her 13 regular-season games. The Pride went on to win its first titles in club history, lifting both the NWSL Shield and NWSL Championship trophies.