Monterey Bay Wingback, Santa Cruz Native Walmer Martínez Earns El Salvador National Team Call-Up for CONCACAF Nations League
SEASIDE, Calif. (Monday, October 9, 2023) – Monterey Bay wingback Walmer Martínez has been selected to join the El Salvador National Team for its two upcoming matches in the 2023 CONCACAF Nations League group stage against Martinique on Friday, October 13 and Tuesday, October 17. The Santa Cruz native and CSUMB alum answered his first international call-up since 2021 and joined El Salvador immediately following the Union’s match against Birmingham Legion FC this weekend.
“It’s been two years now and honestly for me the one thing that I want to do is go give 100% for the country,” said Martínez. “I know what I can give, I know what potential I have. It’s been a long two years, I’ve been working hard towards getting here again. It’s a great opportunity, a real blessing to be there. I am thankful to the coaching staff that selected me to go, it’s an honor. I take great pride in going there and being there, and I’m going to give everything I have for El Salvador.”
Martínez has earned 22 starts in 32 appearances across all competitions in his second season with the Crisp-and-Kelp. Martínez made the majority of his appearances this season as a wingback on the left side of Head Coach Frank Yallop’s preferred formation, fully embracing a previously unfamiliar position for the 25-year-old. In 1,636 regular season minutes this season, Martínez recorded 39 tackles, 31 clearances, 31 interceptions, and two assists among 20 chances created.
El Salvador continues play in the 2023 CONCACAF Nations League group stage with a match against Martinque on Friday, October 13 at 4 p.m. PT at Pierre-Aliker Municipal Stadium in Fort-de-France, Martinque. El Salvador will then turn around to play Martinque a second time, this time as hosts on Tuesday, October 17 at Jorge “Mágico” González Stadium in San Salvador, El Salvador. Martínez will be unavailable for MBFC’s regular season home finale against Orange County SC, but is expected to be available for selection ahead of any potential playoff fixture the following weekend.
