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Manny Martins
Utah State University Vice President and Director of Athletics John Hartwell announced Manny Martins as the head soccer coach at USU on May 24, 2021, becoming the fourth head coach in the program’s history. Martins is the just the second minority head coach in USU history and the first since Marlon Sano led the volleyball program during the 1992 and 1993 seasons.
In the 2022 season, Utah State advanced to the Mountain West Tournament quarterfinals, reaching the conference tournament in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2013-14. The Aggies led the league in total points scored (87), total assists (31), total shots (300), total shots on goal (141) and were tied for first in goals scored (28). USU landed three players on Mountain West all-conference teams as juniors Kelsey Kaufusi and Alex Day, plus freshman Kaylie Chambers, were all named second-team all-MW. Chambers also earned MW all-newcomer team honors. Utah State had six players receive academic all-district honors from the association of College Sports Communicators (formerly CoSIDA). Sophomores Bizzy Arevalo, Addy Symonds and Tenzi Knowles, juniors Kelsey Kaufusi and Kylie Olsen, and senior Sara Taylor all were awarded the honor.
In his first season in Logan, Martins led the Aggies to their most victories during the Mountain West era as Utah State opened the 2021 season with a 7-1-1 mark in non-conference play, the best record heading into conference play in school history. The non-conference slate included a 2-1 overtime victory at No. 18 BYU, the first win over a ranked opponent in USU history and the only loss for the Cougars at home in 2021. Under Martins, Utah State scored 30 goals, the most since the 2016 season as the Aggies set a school record with 34 total assists. Three members of the Utah State roster earned postseason conference honors as senior midfielder Ashley Cardozo was named first-team all-MW, junior keeper Diera Walton was named second-team all-MW and redshirt freshman defender Addy Symonds was named to the all-newcomer team.
In addition to league honors, Cardozo and sophomore defender Kelsey Kaufusi were named to the MW all-tournament team as the Aggies qualified for the tournament for the first time since 2016. The duo of Cardozo and Kaufusi were also recognized by the United Soccer Coaches with first- and third-team all-Pacific Region honors, respectively. Upon graduation, Cardozo signed a professional contract with FC Nantes in France.
Martins joined the Aggies after seven years as a member of Oregon’s coaching staff and brought 22 years of soccer coaching experience within the college ranks, as well as time with the United States’ women’s national team.
With the Ducks, Martins helped put together the highest-rated recruiting class in Oregon history in 2019, leading to one of the most successful seasons in UO history during the 2020 campaign. The class ranked No. 17 in the nation that year as freshman Ally Cook finished third in goals scored in 2019 before leading the team in goals scored in 2020. Martins also mentored a defense that set the Oregon goals-against-average as UO keeper Abby Steele broke the all-time career shutout record.
The Ducks were ranked as high as No. 14 in the country during Martins’ tenure and individual players went on to find success in the professional ranks. Jazmin Jackmon became the first Duck to be selected in the NWSL draft, going in the third round to the Houston Dash. Marissa Everett became the first UO alum to score in an NWSL game when she found the net while playing for the Portland Thorns. And, Marlo Sweatman became the first Duck to appear in the FIFA World Cup after she helped Jamaica qualify for the world tournament for the first time in that country’s history.
Martins has been associated with the U.S. women’s national team since 2013 and was an analyst and opposition scout during the women’s 2019 FIFA World Cup Championship run. Martins was also a member of the women’s national team staff during the 2018 U20 World Cup and the 2016 U17 World Cup. In 2018, the women advanced to the finals of the CONCACAF Championships, while capturing the CONCACAF Championship in 2016.
Prior to his position at Oregon, Martins was a member of the UCLA women’s soccer staff from 2011-13, helping the Bruins gather the top recruiting class in 2013. UCLA also had the No. 3 recruiting class in 2012. The Bruins enjoyed a wealth of success during Martins’ tenure, capturing 15 or more victories each year and losing only one match at home over the course of the two years. With the Bruins, Martins coached a pair of No. 1 draft picks in women’s professional soccer: Sydney Leroux (2012/Atlanta Beat/WPS) and Zakiya Bywaters (2013/Chicago Red Stars/NWSL). Martins also coached four NSCAA All-Americans during his stay in Los Angeles.
Martins was instrumental in developing various clubs in the Los Angeles area, serving as the director of coaching and player development for Los Angeles Premier FC, a member of the WPSL, and the Los Angeles Rampage. Martins served as head coach of both teams during his time with the clubs and was named the WPSL Coach of the Year in 2010.
Martins’ first head coaching position came at Los Angeles Mission College, guiding the Eagles from 2006-11. Martins began his collegiate coaching career at LAMC, serving as an assistant from 2001-04, before spending three years as an assistant at Cal Poly Pomona from 2004-06.
Martins cut his coaching teeth at his alma mater of Sylmar High School, becoming the head coach in 1998 and leading the program to a 101-54-22 record in seven seasons.
Martins was born in Portugal and moved to San Fernando, California in 1993. He played soccer at Sylmar HS and LAMC. Martins earned a degree in kinesiology at Cal Poly Pomona in 2006 and holds a USSF A License and an NSCAA Director of Coaching diploma. He is fluent in Portuguese, Spanish, English and Creolo. Martins and his wife, Lorena, have three children: Isaiah, Emma and London.
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