Brianna Martinez Bio
Brianna Cathleen Martinez (born April 22, 2000) is an American former professional soccer player who played as a right back. She built her reputation in the National Women’s Soccer League with the Orlando Pride, where she helped the club capture the NWSL Shield and NWSL Championship in 2024. She later joined USL Super League side Carolina Ascent on loan before making the move permanent, finishing her career with the club in 2026.
Early Life and Background
Martinez was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she grew up surrounded by a strong local soccer scene. She played four years of high school soccer at Volcano Vista High School, sharpening her competitive edge against top regional opponents. In parallel, she developed her club game with New Mexico Rush, a program that helped shape her tactical discipline and physical conditioning.
Her performances with New Mexico Rush earned her recognition as one of the top prospects of the class of 2019. Coaches frequently praised her composure on the ball and her ability to read the game from the back line. Those early years in Albuquerque laid the foundation for her future move into the United States youth national team setup.
Path to Soccer
Martinez joined the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in 2018, beginning a five-year stretch at one of the most storied women’s college soccer programs in the country. She went on to make 91 appearances for Notre Dame, serving as team captain during her final two seasons. Her leadership and consistency were central to the Fighting Irish reaching the NCAA championship quarterfinals in 2022.
She earned a reputation for composure in high-pressure moments, particularly as Notre Dame’s designated penalty-taker in postseason shoot-outs. She converted decisive kicks against Purdue in the 2021 NCAA second round and against Pittsburgh in the 2022 Atlantic Coast Conference first round. Those performances highlighted her mentality long before she turned professional.
Alongside her college career, Martinez progressed through the U.S. youth national team ladder, representing the under-16, under-17, under-18, under-19, and under-20 teams. She was selected for the 2020 CONCACAF Women’s U-20 Championship, where the United States captured the title. She also received call-ups to under-23 training camps during her college years, signaling her readiness for the senior game.
Brianna Martinez Career
Early Career (2018–2022)
Martinez’s early career was defined by her development at Notre Dame, where she became a reliable starter from her first season. She scored her only two college goals during her senior year in 2021, a reflection of her growing confidence going forward. By her final seasons, she was entrusted with leadership responsibilities and the team’s most decisive set-piece moments.
Her progress did not go unnoticed by professional scouts, as she was invited to train with the Orlando Pride ahead of the 2023 NWSL preseason. Although Racing Louisville FC selected her 17th overall in the 2023 NWSL Draft, she chose to sign with the Pride on a one-year deal with an option for an additional year. That decision set the stage for her professional breakthrough.
Orlando Pride Breakthrough (2023–2024)
Martinez made her professional debut on April 23, 2023, entering as an 84th-minute substitute against the Kansas City Current. She earned her first start a few weeks later in the NWSL Challenge Cup against the Washington Spirit. Across her rookie campaign, she logged eight regular-season appearances and four Challenge Cup matches, gaining valuable minutes as she adapted to the professional level. The Pride exercised her contract option after the season, a sign of the club’s belief in her long-term potential.
In 2024, Martinez became a regular fixture in Orlando’s starting XI, often lining up at right back. She opened the season with a full match at center back in a 1–1 draw with Angel City FC on March 22, 2024, and quickly established herself in the back line. A non-contact left-leg injury in late July kept her out for the rest of the campaign, but the Pride remained undefeated across her 13 regular-season appearances that year, including eight starts. Orlando went on to lift the NWSL Shield and the NWSL Championship, the club’s first major honors.
Carolina Ascent Era (2025–2026)
On July 2, 2025, it was announced that Martinez would join Carolina Ascent on loan for the remainder of the USL Super League campaign. She debuted on August 30, playing the full match in a 2–2 draw with Fort Lauderdale United, and quickly became a mainstay. She scored her first professional goal on October 18, 2025, in a 2–1 road win over Brooklyn FC, the Ascent’s first away victory of the season.
After her Orlando contract expired in December 2025, Carolina converted the loan into a permanent signing for 2026. Martinez went on to make 23 appearances with 16 starts as Carolina finished third in the league. Her final appearance came in extra time of the league final, where the Ascent fell 3–1 to Lexington SC. On June 2, 2026, she announced her retirement from professional soccer.
Driving Style and Strengths
Martinez is recognized for her tactical intelligence, positional discipline, and ability to read the game from the back line. Her comfort on the ball allows her to step into midfield and launch attacks, while her composure under pressure made her a reliable option in penalty shoot-outs. Coaches valued her consistency and her willingness to embrace different roles, including stints at center back when required.
Notable Events and Milestones
Martinez’s signature accomplishments include winning the NWSL Shield and NWSL Championship with the Orlando Pride in 2024, and the 2020 CONCACAF Women’s U-20 Championship with the United States. She also recorded her first professional goal for Carolina Ascent and helped the club reach the USL Super League final in her lone full season there.
Brianna Martinez Career Wins
Martinez’s verified team honors include the NWSL Shield and the NWSL Championship, both earned with the Orlando Pride in 2024. She also lifted the 2020 CONCACAF Women’s U-20 Championship with the United States youth national team.
Orlando Pride Highlights
Across two seasons with Orlando, Martinez appeared in 21 regular-season matches, with 8 starts in 2024 contributing to a perfect unbeaten record during her minutes. Her first regular-season start came on March 22, 2024, against Angel City FC, and she was part of the squad that delivered the franchise’s first major trophies.
Other Wins and Performances
At the international youth level, Martinez was part of the U.S. team that won the 2020 CONCACAF Women’s U-20 Championship. With Carolina Ascent, she reached the 2025 USL Super League final and recorded her first professional goal in league play against Brooklyn FC.
Brianna Martinez Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Martinez grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where her early development was shaped by the local soccer community and her family environment. While specific family members are not publicly documented in verified sources, her New Mexico roots and club pathway through New Mexico Rush played a defining role in her career.
Personal Life
Martinez has kept much of her personal life private throughout her professional career. Publicly available verified information about her relationships, marital status, or children is limited, and she has generally maintained a focus on her athletic commitments.
2025 Season Performance
Martinez’s 2025 campaign was split between the Orlando Pride and Carolina Ascent, following her midseason loan announcement on July 2, 2025. She debuted for Carolina on August 30, 2025, and quickly became a regular contributor, logging 23 appearances with 16 starts across the season. Her performances helped the Ascent finish third in the USL Super League standings, and she played in the league final, where Carolina fell 3–1 to Lexington SC in extra time.
Among her individual highlights was her first professional goal on October 18, 2025, in a 2–1 win over Brooklyn FC, which also marked Carolina’s first road victory of the year. Her reliability on the back line and her growing influence in attack underlined her importance to the Ascent as the club converted her loan into a permanent deal. The retirement announcement on June 2, 2026, closed the chapter on a career highlighted by major honors and steady growth across multiple leagues.