Rey Ángel Martínez
Encyclopedia
Rey Ángel "Boom-Boom" Martínez (born May 13, 1980 in Havana
) is an Cuba
n soccer player who last played for Real Maryland Monarchs
in the USL Second Division
.
in his native Cuba, before defecting
to the United States during the 2002 Gold Cup
along with his national teammate Alberto Delgado
.
Martínez joined the Colorado Rapids
of Major League Soccer
on June 11, 2004, and finished his first year with the Rapids with one assist in seven appearances (three starts), but struggled with injuries for much of the season. He was released by the Rapids before the 2005 season and signed with Rochester Rhinos of the USL First Division
.
Martínez was used regularly as a late second-half attacking substitute, and went on to make 60 appearances for the Rhinos until August 2008, when he signed for the Carolina RailHawks for the rest of the season.
On November 6, 2008, Martinez signed with the New Jersey Ironmen
in the Xtreme Soccer League
., and played for them for two seasons before returning to outdoor soccer with the Real Maryland Monarchs
in the USL Second Division
for the 2009 season.
Remaining popular in Rochester, many fans requests were answered as the new Rochester Lancers
indoor soccer team announced on October 20, 2011 that Rey Martinez will play in Rochester
during the 2011-2012 MISL
season.
, for whom he played in the Gold Cup
, Copa Caribe, and Pan American Games
.
Havana
Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous...
) is an Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
n soccer player who last played for Real Maryland Monarchs
Real Maryland Monarchs
Real Maryland F.C., commonly known as the Real Maryland Monarchs, is an American soccer team based in Rockville, Maryland, United States...
in the USL Second Division
USL Second Division
The United Soccer Leagues Second Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, part of the United Soccer Leagues league pyramid...
.
Professional
Martínez began his career with Ciudad la HabanaCiudad de La Habana (football club)
Ciudad de La Habana is a Cuban football team playing at the top level. It is based in Havana. Their home stadium is Estadio Pedro Marrero.-Current squad:...
in his native Cuba, before defecting
Defection
In politics, a defector is a person who gives up allegiance to one state or political entity in exchange for allegiance to another. More broadly, it involves abandoning a person, cause or doctrine to whom or to which one is bound by some tie, as of allegiance or duty.This term is also applied,...
to the United States during the 2002 Gold Cup
2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup
The 2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup was the sixth edition of the Gold Cup, the football championship of North America, Central America and the Caribbean ....
along with his national teammate Alberto Delgado
Alberto Delgado
Alberto Delgado y Pérez is a Cuban soccer player. As of 2005, he plays as a forward for Sevilla FC Puerto Rico of the Puerto Rico Soccer League.-Defection to the United States:...
.
Martínez joined the Colorado Rapids
Colorado Rapids
The Colorado Rapids are an American professional soccer club based in the Denver suburb of Commerce City, Colorado which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league...
of Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
on June 11, 2004, and finished his first year with the Rapids with one assist in seven appearances (three starts), but struggled with injuries for much of the season. He was released by the Rapids before the 2005 season and signed with Rochester Rhinos of the USL First Division
USL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
.
Martínez was used regularly as a late second-half attacking substitute, and went on to make 60 appearances for the Rhinos until August 2008, when he signed for the Carolina RailHawks for the rest of the season.
On November 6, 2008, Martinez signed with the New Jersey Ironmen
New Jersey Ironmen
The New Jersey Ironmen were an American indoor soccer team. They originally joined the Major Indoor Soccer League for the 2007–08 season. When the MISL ceased operations a year later, they joined the Xtreme Soccer League. The team played at the Prudential Center, sharing the facility with the...
in the Xtreme Soccer League
Xtreme Soccer League
The Xtreme Soccer League was an indoor soccer league that began play in December 2008. Four teams from the former Major Indoor Soccer League participated in the first XSL season--- the Chicago Storm, Detroit Ignition, Milwaukee Wave, and New Jersey Ironmen...
., and played for them for two seasons before returning to outdoor soccer with the Real Maryland Monarchs
Real Maryland Monarchs
Real Maryland F.C., commonly known as the Real Maryland Monarchs, is an American soccer team based in Rockville, Maryland, United States...
in the USL Second Division
USL Second Division
The United Soccer Leagues Second Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, part of the United Soccer Leagues league pyramid...
for the 2009 season.
Remaining popular in Rochester, many fans requests were answered as the new Rochester Lancers
Rochester Lancers
The Rochester Lancers were a soccer team based in Rochester, New York that played in the American Soccer League from 1967 until 1969 and the North American Soccer League from 1970 to 1980 at Aquinas Stadium...
indoor soccer team announced on October 20, 2011 that Rey Martinez will play in Rochester
Rochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
during the 2011-2012 MISL
Misl
Misl generally refers to the twelve sovereign states in the Sikh Confederacy. The states formed a commonwealth that was described by Antoine Polier as an "aristocratic republic"...
season.
International
Before his defection, Martinez was an important player for the Cuban national teamCuba national football team
The Cuba national football team is the national team of Cuba and is controlled by the Asociación de Fútbol de Cuba. They are affiliated to the Caribbean Football Union of CONCACAF....
, for whom he played in the Gold Cup
Gold Cup
Gold Cup may refer to:In art and archaeology:* Royal Gold Cup, 14th century French cup in the British Museum* Rillaton Gold Cup, late Neolithic, from Rillaton Barrow in England* Ringlemere Cup, Bronze Age from EnglandIn horse racing:...
, Copa Caribe, and Pan American Games
Pan American Games
The Pan-American or Pan American Games are a major event in the Americas featuring summer and formerly winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Pan American Games are the second largest multi-sport event after the Summer Olympics...
.