Sporting Kansas City II assistant coach Chris Martinez was inducted into the Colorado Soccer Hall of Fame late last week, earning recognition for his service to the advancement of youth soccer in Colorado.
Martinez, who is entering his third year as an assistant coach with Sporting’s USL Championship outfit, spent the bulk of his early career in Colorado. After finishing out his professional career with the Colorado Rapids in 2001, Martinez shifted to the coaching side of the game.
The Colorado native excelled in his post as Director of Player Development at U.S. Soccer Development Academy club Real Colorado, culminating in U-15/16 Coach of the Year honors for the Central Conference in 2015.
Shortly after, Martinez headed back to the Rapids as the club’s Development Academy Program Director, while he also served as the club’s U-18/19 head coach until he joined Sporting II ahead of the 2018 campaign.
Martinez played collegiate soccer at Clemson University from 1989-1992 before joining American Professional Soccer League side the Colorado Foxes in 1993, winning the APSL title in his first season.
The following year, Martinez headed to Kansas to play indoor soccer with the Wichita Wings, who played in the National Professional Soccer League, and was named to the NPSL All-Rookie team in 1994.
