STATESBORO, Ga., (February 20, 2024) – The 2022 USL W League Champion and Tormenta FC Academy alumna Sydney Martinez and the Puerto Rico Women’s National Team will compete in the Women’s Gold Cup Group Stage beginning February 21, 2024.
Puerto Rico qualified for the competition thanks to an 11-save performance from Martinez in a 1-0 win over Haiti on Saturday night. Her player-of-the-match heroics were highlighted by an incredible penalty save in the 76th minute against the Haitian captain, Nérilia Mondésir.
Puerto Rico, placed in Group B, will face off against Brazil, Panama, and Columbia at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California. Martinez and Puerto Rico will begin play on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at 10:15 p.m. ET against the Brazilian National Team.
Martinez will potentially face two veterans from Brazil, midfielder Debinha, who has registered 139 international appearances and scored 60 goals, and forward Bia Zaneratto, who has made 115 international appearances and scored 38 goals for Brazil.
The second group stage match Puerto Rico will play Saturday, February 23, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. ET against fellow CONCACAF opponent, Panama. The young Panama squad qualified for the Gold Cup by finishing top of Group B, winning two matches, drawing one, and losing one. Panama’s qualification group included Guatemala, which finished second, and Jamaica, which finished third.
Puerto Rico’s final group stage match will take place Thursday, February 27, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. ET against Columbia. Columbia’s front line is led by 34-year-old forward Catalina Usme, who has 77 international appearances and 39 goals for her country.
Martinez most recently played for IK Grand Bodø of the 1. Division is the second tier of women’s soccer in Norway.
In the 2022 USL W League Final, Martinez became the hero after saving a penalty kick in the 110th minute of extra time. Martinez would end up being named the USL W League Final MVP. Martinez made history as she became Tormenta FC’s first Golden Glove winner across all teams within the club. Martinez also served as the team captain for the 2022 W League season.
Just like Martinez, many more TFC Academy talents will rise through the ranks and follow in her footsteps. The foundation is set for Tormenta FC to continue providing opportunities to young talent around South Georgia and the Low Country of South Carolina.
In June of 2021, Tormenta FC was named a founding member of the USL W League, an elite pre-professional pathway for women looking to build their careers on and off the pitch. Tormenta FC won the first-ever USL W League title in 2022 after defeating the Minnesota Aurora in front of 6,500 fans in Eagan, Minnesota.
Just like Martinez, many more TFC Academy talents will rise through the ranks and follow in her footsteps. The foundation is set for Tormenta FC to continue providing opportunities to young talent around South Georgia and the Low Country of South Carolina.
In June of 2021, Tormenta FC was named a founding member of the USL W League, an elite pre-professional pathway for women looking to build their careers on and off the pitch. Tormenta FC won the first-ever USL W League title in 2022 after defeating the Minnesota Aurora in front of 6,500 fans in Eagan, Minnesota.
Tormenta FC provides local and national players opportunities to develop and start their professional careers in Statesboro, Georgia. Sydney Martinez is one of ten Tormenta FC USL W League players who have signed a professional contract. The nine other professional players are Jenae Packard, Emily Burke, Kelly Giddes, Abigail Wolf, Amy Andrews, Peyton Chick, Makenna Gottschalk, Hannah Theriault, and Jodi Medina.