Nealy Martin Bio
Nealy Cameron Martin (born April 22, 1998) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender or defensive midfielder for Angel City FC of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). A versatile and dependable player, Martin has built her career through stints with Racing Louisville FC and Gotham FC, contributing on both sides of the ball.
Standing 5 feet 7 inches tall, Martin is widely respected for her tactical awareness, composure under pressure, and willingness to put her body on the line for her team. She has occasionally served as an emergency goalkeeper, most notably during the closing minutes of Gotham’s victory in the 2023 NWSL Championship, a moment that became one of the defining images of that season.
Early Life and Background
Nealy Cameron Martin was born on April 22, 1998, in Birmingham, Alabama. She began playing soccer at the age of three, quickly developing a love for the game that would shape the rest of her life. Growing up in the Birmingham area, she trained with local youth clubs and steadily built the technical foundation that would later carry her to the highest level of American women’s soccer.
Martin attended Oak Mountain High School, where she became a standout defender for the school’s girls’ soccer program. During her senior season, she helped lead Oak Mountain to the Class 7A state championship in 2015, conceding a school-record-low six goals throughout the year. Her dominant high school career earned her recognition as the Birmingham Player of the Year, and she finished as the top-ranked recruit of her class from the state of Alabama.
Outside of high school competition, Martin played ECNL club soccer for Birmingham United, one of the most respected youth development programs in the region. Her performances at the club level reinforced her reputation as a composed, intelligent defender with strong leadership qualities.
Path to Soccer
Initially, Martin had her sights set on attending Auburn University, the alma mater of her parents. However, during her junior year of high school, she was recruited by the University of Alabama and ultimately committed to play for the Alabama Crimson Tide. The decision to remain in-state and join the Crimson Tide allowed her to develop within a familiar environment while competing at the NCAA Division I level.
Martin made an immediate impact at Alabama, appearing in all 19 games with 16 starts during her freshman season in 2016. She started all 18 games the following year as a sophomore, helping the Crimson Tide qualify for the NCAA tournament. Her consistency in the back line made her one of the program’s most reliable players.
One of the most unusual early chapters of her career came on August 17, 2018, when goalkeeper Alex Plavin received a red card against TCU. Junior defender Martin stepped into goal for 48 seconds and saved a free kick attempt by Yazmeen Ryan, allowing Alabama to substitute goalkeeper Kaylee Hammer. The moment foreshadowed the kind of team-first mentality she would later display at the professional level.
Nealy Martin Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
After completing her college career, Martin went overseas to Wales to study and try to continue playing soccer. While abroad, she learned that National Women’s Soccer League club Racing Louisville FC was holding open tryouts in December 2020. She attended the tryouts and was named to Louisville’s preseason roster, officially signing with the club on April 5, 2021.
Martin made her professional debut on April 10, 2021, starting in a 2–2 draw against the Orlando Pride in the group stage of the NWSL Challenge Cup. She went on to appear in 18 matches with 13 starts that season, playing primarily at center back or outside back. In 2022, she made four starts for Louisville at right back during the NWSL Challenge Cup and recorded 11 appearances with 8 starts in the regular season before being waived at the end of the year.
Racing Louisville Breakthrough (2021–2022)
Martin’s first professional chapter was defined by steady adaptation to the speed and physicality of the NWSL. Although she was not always a starter, her versatility across the back line gave Louisville valuable flexibility, and her performance during her first season showed she belonged at the professional level.
By the end of 2022, however, her role had diminished, with Martin unused for 10 of the last 11 games of the season. Louisville waived her at the end of the year, opening the door for the next phase of her career.
Gotham FC Era (2023–2025)
NJ/NY Gotham FC signed Martin off the waiver wire on December 8, 2022, on a one-year contract with an option for an additional year. She made her Gotham debut on April 19, 2023, coming on for Kristie Mewis in a 1–0 win against the Washington Spirit in the NWSL Challenge Cup group stage. On June 25, 2023, she recorded her first NWSL assist when Lynn Williams scored off Martin’s throw-in for the opening goal in a 2–1 win against the Chicago Red Stars.
The 2023 season became a career-defining year. On September 22, 2023, Martin signed a new contract to keep her with Gotham through 2026. She finished the regular season with 15 appearances and 13 starts as a defensive midfielder, helping Gotham finish sixth in the league standings. In the playoffs, she started as Gotham defeated the North Carolina Courage 2–0 and the Portland Thorns 1–0 in extra time to reach the NWSL Championship.
In the title game on November 12, 2023, Gotham led OL Reign 2–1 when goalkeeper Mandy Haught was sent off with a straight red card in the 97th minute. Martin stepped into goal for the second time that year, donning an oversized goalkeeper jersey. After Rose Lavelle’s free kick hit Gotham’s wall of players, the whistle blew for Gotham’s victory 90 seconds later. The club later offered Martin goalkeeper jerseys for sale on her birthday the following year, commemorating the moment.
Martin appeared in 24 games with 21 starts during the 2024 regular season as Gotham finished third in the standings. She also started all five matches of the 2024 NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup, helping Gotham not concede until the final 2–0 loss to the Kansas City Current. In the 2024 playoffs, she played every minute as Gotham beat the Portland Thorns 2–1 before losing to the Washington Spirit on penalties after a 1–1 draw in the semifinals. On May 25, 2025, she played in the 2025 CONCACAF W Champions Cup final against Tigres, where Gotham won 1–0 to become the inaugural winners of the competition.
Angel City FC Era (2025–Present)
On September 9, 2025, it was announced that Martin had been traded to Angel City FC from Gotham FC in exchange for $85,000 in intra-league transfer funds. The move brought her back to a familiar role as a versatile defender and midfielder for a club looking to strengthen its back line.
Martin made her Angel City debut on September 13, 2025, entering as a halftime substitute for Macey Hodge in a 2–1 loss to the North Carolina Courage. Five days later, on September 18, 2025, she started her first match for Angel City at BMO Stadium against the Washington Spirit, which finished as a 2–2 draw.
Driving Style and Strengths
Martin is recognized for her tactical intelligence, positional discipline, and composure on the ball. She reads the game well as a center back, outside back, or defensive midfielder, and her willingness to play out of position, including stepping in as an emergency goalkeeper, has made her a valuable team-first player.
Notable Events and Milestones
Martin’s most memorable moment came during the 2023 NWSL Championship, when she stepped into goal for the final minute and a half to help Gotham secure the title. Her contributions to Gotham’s 2025 CONCACAF W Champions Cup triumph further cemented her reputation as a clutch performer on big stages.
Nealy Martin Career Wins
Nealy Martin has collected major team trophies at the professional level, including the 2023 NWSL Championship and the inaugural 2025 CONCACAF W Champions Cup with Gotham FC. She has also added a high school state championship from her time at Oak Mountain.
Gotham FC Highlights
Martin was a starting member of Gotham FC’s 2023 NWSL Championship-winning squad and played every minute of Gotham’s run to the 2025 CONCACAF W Champions Cup title. She also featured prominently in Gotham’s 2024 playoff run, helping the club reach the semifinals.
Other Wins and Performances
Earlier in her career, Martin helped Oak Mountain High School win the Class 7A state championship in 2015, conceding a school-record-low six goals that season. She was also named the Birmingham Player of the Year following her senior high school campaign.
Nealy Martin Family
Family Background and Soccer Lineage
Nealy Cameron Martin was raised in Birmingham, Alabama, in a family with strong ties to soccer. Both of her parents attended Auburn University, which influenced her initial college plans before she ultimately chose to play for in-state rival Alabama.
Personal Life
Martin continues to play professionally in the NWSL and was called into camp with the United States national team in January 2025, her first national team call-up at any level. She remains active on social media, where fans can follow her career through her official Instagram account.
2025 Season Performance
Martin’s 2025 campaign began at Gotham FC, where she continued to serve as a reliable defensive presence. On May 25, 2025, she helped Gotham lift the inaugural CONCACAF W Champions Cup with a 1–0 victory over Tigres in the final. The win added an international trophy to her resume and showcased her growth as one of the league’s most dependable defenders.
After the trade to Angel City FC on September 9, 2025, Martin quickly integrated into her new squad. She made her Angel City debut on September 13, 2025, as a halftime substitute in a 2–1 loss to the North Carolina Courage, and followed it up with her first start for the club on September 18, 2025, in a 2–2 draw against the Washington Spirit at BMO Stadium.
Heading into the closing stretch of the season, Martin provides Angel City with a versatile option across the back line and in defensive midfield. With the club pushing toward a strong finish and Martin continuing to build chemistry with her new teammates, her 2025 outlook remains promising.