| Brianna Martinez | |
| Full Name: | Brianna Cathleen Martinez[1] |
| Birth Date: | 22 April 2000[2] |
| Birth Place: | Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States |
| Height: | 5 ft 6 in |
| Position: | Right back |
| Currentclub: | Orlando Pride |
| Clubnumber: | 32 |
| Youthclubs1: | New Mexico Rush |
| Collegeyears1: | 2018–2022 |
| College1: | Notre Dame Fighting Irish |
| Collegecaps1: | 91 |
| Collegegoals1: | 2 |
| Years1: | 2023– |
| Clubs1: | Orlando Pride |
| Caps1: | 21 |
| Goals1: | 0 |
| Nationalyears1: | 2015–2016 |
| Nationalteam1: | United States U-16 |
| Nationalyears2: | 2017–2018 |
| Nationalteam2: | United States U-18 |
| Nationalyears3: | 2017 |
| Nationalteam3: | United States U-19 |
| Nationalcaps3: | 2 |
| Nationalgoals3: | 0 |
| Nationalyears4: | 2018–2020 |
| Nationalteam4: | United States U-20 |
| Nationalcaps4: | 7 |
| Nationalgoals4: | 0 |
| Club-Update: | July 6, 2024 |
| Nationalteam-Update: | March 8, 2020 |
Brianna "Bri" Cathleen Martinez (born April 22, 2000) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender for the Orlando Pride of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). She played collegiately for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and represented the United States at the youth international level.
Martinez was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico.[2] She played club soccer for New Mexico Rush and was ranked as one of the top prospects of the class of 2019.[3] She played four years of high school soccer at Volcano Vista High School.
Martinez was a five-year starter for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, making 91 appearances from 2018 to 2022. She captained the team during her last two years and scored her only two collegiate goals as a senior in the 2021 season.[4] In the 2022 season, she helped lead the Fighting Irish to the quarterfinals of the NCAA championship.[5] She was placed in the final spot for postseason penalty shoot-outs in her last two seasons and converted kicks to defeat Purdue in the 2021 NCAA second round and Pittsburgh in the 2022 ACC first round.[6] [7]
Martinez was drafted 17th overall by Racing Louisville FC in the 2023 NWSL Draft but did not sign with the club. She was invited to train with the Orlando Pride as a non-rostered player in the 2023 preseason and agreed to a one-year contract with an option for an additional year.[8] She made her professional debut on April 23, substituting on in the 84th minute in a defeat to the Kansas City Current.[9] She made her first start on May 10, losing to the Washington Spirit in the Pride's second game of the Challenge Cup.[10] She made eight regular-season appearances as a rookie and four in the Challenge Cup.[11] The Pride exercised her player option following the 2023 season.[12]
Martinez started her first regular-season game on March 22, 2024, in a draw to Angel City FC.[13] She became a regular part of the starting lineup at right back. On June 25, her contract was extended through the 2025 season.[14]
Martinez was called into training camps with the United States under-16 and under-17 national teams in 2015 and 2016 was recognized among the Best XI of an under-16 international friendly tournament.[15] She played friendlies for the under-18 and under-19 teams in 2017.[16] She stayed with the under-18s the following year before being called up to the under-20 team.[17] While in college, she was selected to the roster for the 2020 CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship, which the United States won.[18] She was called up to play friendlies with the under-23 team against NWSL clubs in the 2022 preseason.[19]