Kyle Martino

Kyle Martino is an American former professional soccer player, broadcaster, entrepreneur, and grassroots advocate with a career spanning multiple facets of the soccer industry. Before turning professional, Martino was named Gatorade National Player of the Year after his senior high school season and went on to play at the University of Virginia, where he scored 17 goals and provided 21 assists, earning ACC Player of the Year honors in his junior season. In both his sophomore and junior years, he was one of 15 finalists for the Hermann Trophy. His collegiate performance led him to leave the University of Virginia early to sign a Project-40 contract with Major League Soccer and enter the MLS SuperDraft, where the Columbus Crew selected him eighth overall.

Martino was named MLS Rookie of the Year after scoring two goals and registering seven assists in 26 games. He became a key figure for the Columbus Crew, and a move to withdrawn forward revitalized his offensive abilities, leading the Crew to the longest unbeaten streak in MLS history through the 2004 season. After a challenging year, he was traded to LA Galaxy in a four-player deal. Martino also represented the United States men's national team, earning international caps as a versatile attacking player known for his speed and crossing ability. He retired from professional soccer following medical advice due to injuries sustained throughout his career.

After his playing career, Martino transitioned into soccer broadcasting. He served as a studio analyst and color commentator for NBC Sports' coverage of the English Premier League and was previously a color commentator for Major League Soccer on ESPN. Martino has also appeared on CBS Sports, ESPN, Fox Soccer Channel, HDNet, WPVI-TV, Travel Channel's "36 Hours," and NBC's "Spartan Race." As a broadcaster, Martino is recognized for delivering authentic analysis and prioritizing substantive commentary on tactics and player development.

Martino announced his candidacy for president of the United States Soccer Federation following the U.S. men's national team's failure to qualify for the FIFA World Cup, citing the need for systemic change within the organization. His campaign platform, outlined through his initiative "Everyone's Game USA," focused on transparency, equality, and accessibility, aiming to democratize soccer development across the United States by reducing barriers for grassroots participation. Although the bid was unsuccessful, it deepened his commitment to the sport's future.

Martino has since launched several ventures in soccer development and youth sports access. He founded the Over Under Initiative, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health and wellness for children by increasing access to sport, converting basketball courts and other blacktops into multi-sport spaces for underserved youth. For the initiative, Martino developed and patented Goalpher, a subterranean goal system that transforms courts into multi-sport surfaces. He is also the co-founder of Street FC, a street soccer club operating in cities such as New York, Austin, Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Minneapolis. Martino co-founded the American Football Company, serving as chief business officer, to provide strategic consulting, creative services, and venture advisory for soccer enterprises in the United States. Martino is also part of the ownership group for USL Championship club Atlético Dallas, further contributing to the growth and development of American soccer.