Sydney Martinez wrote her name in the W League history books in 2022 when she won the league's inaugurual Final MVP award after helping South Georgia Tormenta FC win the first-ever league title. Two years later, she’s making history again, 800 miles up the coast. 

USL Super League club Brooklyn FC announced Friday that it would be signing Martinez to its roster for the 2024-25 inaugural season. Martinez is Brooklyn’s first signing in club history. 

Martinez grew up in Rincon, GA, before attending the University of South Florida from 2018-2022. While at USF, the goalkeeper posted an average save percentage of .802 and broke the record in 2020 for lowest goals-against average in a season in program history at 0.45. She earned multiple honors including 2020 AAC Goalkeeper of the Year, 2020 AAC Tournament Most Outstanding Defensive Player and multiple AAC All-Conference awards. 

Martinez joined South Georgia Tormenta FC in 2022 ahead of the W League’s inaugural season. Serving as Tormenta’s team captain in all 11 matches played, she recorded six clean sheets and a goals-against average of 0.58 to win the Golden Glove Award. Her stellar performances in the playoffs helped the team reach the 2022 W League Final. 

Tormenta faced Minnesota Aurora FC in the final, which went to extra time after a 1-1 score in regulation. Martinez came up huge in the 111th minute, stopping a penalty kick before coming up with another save off the rebound. Tormenta scored five minutes later to take home the title, and Martinez was selected as the USL W League Final MVP. 

In 2023, Martinez signed her first professional contract with Norwegian club IK Grand Bodø. She’s also made multiple appearances with the Puerto Rican women’s national team, most recently advancing to the 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup after Martinez made another penalty save in a qualifier against Haiti. 

Martinez will be back in action soon as Brooklyn FC will host Carolina Ascent FC in its home opener and first match of the season on Saturday, August 31 at Maimonides Park. More information on Brooklyn FC can be found here.