Tormenta FC Academy alum and 2022 USL W League champion, Sydney Martinez, has received a call-up to the Puerto Rico National Football Team for the upcoming Women’s Gold Cup Qualifier against Mexico on Dec. 1 at 7:00 p.m.
The Puerto Rican number one will be looking to put her country top of their Gold Cup qualification group with a win during Friday’s match when they close out this round of qualification hosting Mexico. Puerto Rico currently sits second in Group A of League A, two points behind La Tri and would be competing in a play-in match with one of the three League B group winners during the international break on Feb. 17.
Martinez made history as she became Tormenta FC’s first Golden Glove winner across all teams within the club. Martinez also served as the team captain for the 2022 W League season.
In the 2022 USL W League Final, Martinez became the hero after saving a penalty kick in the 110th minute of extra time. Martinez would end up being named the USL W League Final MVP.
Martinez previously played for for IK Grand Bodø of the 1. Divisjon, the second tier of women’s soccer in Norway.
Just like Martinez, many more TFC Academy talents will rise through the ranks and follow in her footsteps. The foundation is set for Tormenta FC to continue providing opportunities to young talent around South Georgia and the Low Country of South Carolina.
In June of 2021, Tormenta FC was named a founding member of the USL W League, an elite pre-professional pathway for women looking to build their careers on and off the pitch. Tormenta FC won the first-ever USL W League title in 2022 after defeating the Minnesota Aurora in front of 6,500 fans in Eagan, Minnesota.
Tormenta FC provides opportunities to local and national players to develop and start their professional careers in Statesboro, Georgia. Sydney Martinez is one of nine Tormenta FC USL W League players that have gone on to sign a professional contract. The eight other professional players are Jenae Packard, Emily Burke, Kelly Giddes, Abigail Wolf, Amy Andrews, Peyton Chick, Makenna Gottschalk, and Jodi Medina.
