Shark competes at Concacaf Women’s Gold Cup

By Isabella Fernandez De Cueto and Abraham Velasquez •

Isabel Martinez, senior business management major and women’s soccer player, represented Puerto Rico at the 2024 Concacaf Women’s Gold Cup from Feb. 17-28.

Despite being born and raised in South Florida, Martinez has no trouble feeling connected to her Puerto Rican roots.

“My whole family is Puerto Rican, and we are always actively participating in our culture, whether we’re here in South Florida or visiting Puerto Rico,” Martinez said.

Martinez began her soccer journey at 7 years old, and instantly connected with the sport.

“My parents put me in a lot of different sports when I was younger, and soccer was the only one I actually liked and was good at,” Martinez said.

The South Florida native worked her way up through travel soccer, eventually playing high school soccer at Saint Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale. Martinez was a standout player, earning two All-County first team appearances and Defensive MVP. Upon graduation, she realized she wanted to continue her soccer career in her home state.

“I love Florida, so I knew I didn’t want to leave,” Martinez said. “My coach for my club soccer team was the assistant coach for NSU at the time, so it was the best option for me.”

Martinez became a consistent defensive starter during her sophomore year and earned her place as captain during her senior year.

“She is such a special and reliable player, but also a great leader, which makes her very important to our team,” said NSU head women’s soccer coach Amy Vaughan.

Martinez’s first experience with the Puerto Rico team came in the summer of 2017 while trying out for the U15 (under 15-years-old) team. Martinez earned a position on the team but was unable to compete due to an ankle injury.

During the summer of 2023, Martinez was selected by the Puerto Rico National Team to attend a training camp. Throughout her time training, Martinez played friendly matches against Mexico and Dominican Republic.

Martinez was then selected by the national team in September to play in the Road to Gold Cup, making it her first appearance in a national tournament.

“Being able to play my first games for Puerto Rico was an honor for me, and I was so happy and excited,” Martinez said.

Only six months later, Martinez went to compete in the 2024 Concacaf Women’s Gold Cup held in Southern California. Before the tournament began, six teams had to compete for the remaining three spots in the tournament.

“We had to play against Haiti to qualify for the Gold Cup, and they were ranked way higher than us, so I didn’t know what to expect. Luckily, we beat them and got to make history by being the first Puerto Rico team to make it to the group stages of the Gold Cup, which was incredible,” Martinez said.

Puerto Rico was part of Group B, which consisted of Brazil, Panama and Colombia. They finished their group in 3rd place with 1 win and 2 losses. Their qualification to the next round came down to the fifth tiebreaker, a coin flip, which they lost. Martinez did not let this unlucky result take away from her and the team’s accomplishments.

“I had no idea what to expect going into the tournament, but the experience was unreal. I was able to play in all three games, which was such an honor,” Martinez said.

Her connection to her Puerto Rican heritage lets her feel great pride for having represented her country at the highest level.

“Wearing the flag on my chest and singing the National Anthem knowing I’m representing myself, my family and my country felt amazing. It was such an honor and is so important to me,” Martinez said.

Martinez will return to the NSU women’s soccer team for her final year in the 2024-2025 season and aspires to have a professional soccer career.

“I have no doubt that she could play at a higher level in the professional leagues,” Vaughan said. “She’s a phenomenal athlete, and we’re looking forward to seeing what she can do next.”