By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
Not surprisingly, the Brownsville soccer standout chosen as the 2015 Gatorade/USA Today player of the year in Texas is also the RGVSports.com 2015 All-Valley Boys Soccer Player of the Year.
That player is Isidro “Chelin” Martinez, the senior attacking midfielder for the Rivera Raiders, who became the inaugural Class 6A state champions in boys soccer April 18 in Georgetown. With Martinezscoring the initial goal 16 minutes into the match, Rivera defeated Katy Cinco Ranch 2-0 in the 6A state final, allowing the Raiders to finish with a 28-0 record.
Martinez, a four-year starter who distinguished himself as a scorer, playmaker, team captain and leader, is taking his postseason awards in stride. He was also the 6A boys most valuable player at the UIL state tournament, and he has earned the same honor on recently announced All-Metro and all-district teams.
“It’s something extraordinary (to receive these awards),” said Martinez , a top student who will continue his soccer career this fall at the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley. “(I was thinking) ‘If I get it, fine, if I don’t, that’s fine, too.’ I just thank God for what I’ve done, and actually, for what we’ve done (as a team). It’s something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”
Those who have played with “Chelin” or watched him play consider him a unique talent on the soccer field, and most importantly, someone who motivates his teammates to give their best.
“The biggest improvement we saw in ‘Chelin’ this season was how he became a better leader,” said Rivera’s Salvador Garcia, the All-Valley coach of the year. “It was the way he spoke with his teammates before the games, during halftime and after the games. His biggest improvement was being a leader on and off the field.
“Yes, it’s going to be super hard to find someone like ‘Chelin’ after he graduates,” Garcia added. “It could take a long time. You wish you could have 11 ‘Chelins.’”
Added Rivera defender Israel Acero, an All-Valley first-teamer and fellow senior, “‘Chelin’ was a key player for this team. He wanted the ball, and he did everything he could do to keep the team going. Because he was such a key player, a lot of the chemistry we had was because of him.”
Rivera had a formidable offensive attack this season that was like very few others in the Valley over the years. Leading the way were Eliseo Ortiz (26 goals), Martinez(23) and Alexis Herrera (22). All three players received All-Valley recognition as the Raiders outscored opponents 138-24 this season, winning seven games in the playoffs.
“We had unfinished business (after losing at the regional tournament and not getting to state in 2013 and 2014),” Martinez said. “What we did this year definitely made it more meaningful after the previous seasons. We finished our season as seniors just the way we wanted to finish it.”
Concerning his MVP honors, “Chelin” said, “Getting awards like this means a lot because it shows you put in hard work (to get them). But I couldn’t receive these types of awards without my teammates because soccer is about teamwork. It’s not what I did. It was a team collaboration, a team effort.”
Martinez now is focused on the next step of his life in college as he continues to play soccer and studies to become a physical therapist.
“Everything seems to be falling into place the way I wanted it,” he said. “I was told by a coach from Alabama(at a camp) back when I was a freshman that if I continued to play hard and do well in the classroom I would get a chance to play (NCAA) Division I soccer. He said, ‘Just continue doing what you’re doing, stay humble, stay healthy, and you’re going to make it,’ so I feel blessed to have the opportunity to play at the Division I level. It’s something I’ve always wanted since my freshman year. God put me in this situation of going to UTRGV, and I’m glad to join the team.”
Another dream for the standout midfielder is to get the chance to play his sport professionally.
“That’s every player’s dream to become a pro,” he said. “Regardless of whatever happens in the future, I would someday like to be a physical therapist.
“It’s just been an honor to play for Coach Garcia and Rivera,” he added. “It’s been my family. I’m glad I got to be at Rivera for my four years (of high school). Even though we had some ups and downs my first three years, it all led to this (state championship) my senior year.”
Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess.
Superlatives
Player of the Year
Isidro “Chelin” Martinez, Brownsville Rivera
Defensive Player of the Year
Marco Alanis, Sharyland High
Newcomer of the Year
Rafael Garcia, Valley View
Coach of the Year
Salvador Garcia, Brownsville Rivera
First Team
Forwards: Eliseo Ortiz, Brownsville Rivera; David Segura, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln
Midfielders: Reyes Saldivar, Brownsville Porter; Eliezer “Chaii” Acero, Brownsville Rivera; Adrian Delgado, Brownsville Hanna; Brandon Rangel, McAllen High
Defenders: Israel Acero, Brownsville Rivera; Uriel Garcia, PSJA Southwest; Julio “J.C.” De La Garza, Brownsville Lopez; Luis Garza, Sharyland Pioneer
Goalkeeper: Eudar Escobar, Edinburg North
Second Team
Forwards: Alexis Herrera, BrownsvilleRivera; Avi Garcia, Valley View
Midfielders: Rene De Leon, PSJA Memorial; Jorge Garcia, La Joya Palmview; David Alexander, BrownsvilleRivera; Gustavo Conejo, PSJA North
Defenders: Jesus Alex Torres, BrownsvilleRivera; Carlos Deandar, Sharyland High; Omar Puente, Edinburg Economedes; Roberto Briseno, Brownsville Porter
Goalkeeper: David Alanis, Brownsville Veterans Memorial
Final Top 10
1. Brownsville Rivera
2. Brownsville Porter
3. PSJA North
4. Brownsville Hanna
5. La Joya Juarez-Lincoln
6. PSJA Southwest
7. Brownsville Pace
8. Donna High
9. McAllen High
10. Sharyland High