Lyle Martin
Encyclopedia
Lyle Martin is an American
soccer player, currently playing for Beijing Baxy in China League One.
at California State University, Bakersfield
, appearing in 79 career games and scoring 29 goals. In his senior year, he earned the 2006 California Collegiate Athletic Association goal-scoring title with 17 goals in 19 matches, which marked him for the second most single-season goals in school history.
During his college years he also played for Bakersfield Brigade
of the USL Premier Development League
, scoring five goals in 10 games in his rookie season in 2005, and playing in 16 matches and scoring nine goals in 2006.
, but signed instead with the Vancouver Whitecaps of the USL First Division
. In his first season in Vancouver he earned 19 starts in 24 games and played 1,657 minutes, and was honored with the Whitecaps Newcomer of the Year award. On October 12, 2008, he helped the Whitecaps capture their second USL First Division
championship, beating the Puerto Rico Islanders
2-1.
On December 18, 2008, the Whitecaps announced the contract extensions of Martin and Wesley Charles
for the 2009 season.
Martin was released by the Whitecaps at the end of the 2009 season.
Martin moved to China with his former teammate Charles Gbeke
and signed a contract with Chinese Super League
side Shaanxi Chan-Ba in February 2010. He is the first American footballer play for Chinese professional football club.He scored his first goal for Shaanxi on 25 April,in a 3–2 home win against Shenzhen Ruby.
He was released by Shaanxi in June 2010 and signed a contract with Hubei Greenery
in July.
In March 2011, Martin transferred to Beijing Baxy.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soccer player, currently playing for Beijing Baxy in China League One.
College and Amateur
Martin played college soccerCollege soccer
College soccer is a term used to describe association football played by teams who are operated by colleges and universities as opposed to a professional league operated for exclusively financial purposes...
at California State University, Bakersfield
California State University, Bakersfield
California State University, Bakersfield is a public university located in Bakersfield, California, United States which was founded in 1965. CSUB opened in 1970 on a campus, becoming the 19th school in the California State University system...
, appearing in 79 career games and scoring 29 goals. In his senior year, he earned the 2006 California Collegiate Athletic Association goal-scoring title with 17 goals in 19 matches, which marked him for the second most single-season goals in school history.
During his college years he also played for Bakersfield Brigade
Bakersfield Brigade
Bakersfield Brigade was an American soccer team based in Bakersfield, California, United States. Founded in 2005, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2009, after which the franchise folded and the team left the league.The...
of the USL Premier Development League
USL Premier Development League
The USL Premier Development League is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid...
, scoring five goals in 10 games in his rookie season in 2005, and playing in 16 matches and scoring nine goals in 2006.
Professional
Martin was drafted by Chivas USA in the 2007 MLS Supplemental Draft2007 MLS Supplemental Draft
The 2007 MLS Supplemental Draft was held on January 18, 2007, following the SuperDraft , as teams fill out their developmental rosters.-Round 1:-Round 2:-Round 3:-Round 4:-References:*...
, but signed instead with the Vancouver Whitecaps of the USL First Division
USL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
. In his first season in Vancouver he earned 19 starts in 24 games and played 1,657 minutes, and was honored with the Whitecaps Newcomer of the Year award. On October 12, 2008, he helped the Whitecaps capture their second USL First Division
USL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
championship, beating the Puerto Rico Islanders
Puerto Rico Islanders
Puerto Rico Islanders is a Puerto Rican professional football team based in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. Founded in 2003, the team plays in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
2-1.
On December 18, 2008, the Whitecaps announced the contract extensions of Martin and Wesley Charles
Wesley Charles
Wesley Charles is a Vincentian footballer.-Europe:Charles spent the beginning of the 2000s traveling Europe. His travels started in Ireland, where he first joined Bray Wanderers in November 2000 after spending two seasons with Sligo Rovers, where he was voted Player of the Year in 2003.Charles...
for the 2009 season.
Martin was released by the Whitecaps at the end of the 2009 season.
Martin moved to China with his former teammate Charles Gbeke
Charles Gbeke
Charles Gbeke is an Ivorian-born Canadian soccer player who currently free agent.Gbeke began his career with brief stints with Seattle Sounders and Vancouver Whitecaps, where he was deployed as a defender and failed to establish himself as a starter...
and signed a contract with Chinese Super League
Chinese Super League
The Chinese Football Association Super League , commonly known as Chinese Super League or CSL, currently known as the Pirelli Chinese Football Association Super League for sponsorship reasons, is the highest tier of professional association football in China, operating under the auspices of the...
side Shaanxi Chan-Ba in February 2010. He is the first American footballer play for Chinese professional football club.He scored his first goal for Shaanxi on 25 April,in a 3–2 home win against Shenzhen Ruby.
He was released by Shaanxi in June 2010 and signed a contract with Hubei Greenery
Hubei Greenery
Hubei Zhongbo is a Chinese football club who play at the 36,000 seater Xinhua Road Sports Center based in Wuhan, Hubei and currently play in China League One division. The club was founded in 2009 after its predecessor Wuhan Guanggu withdrew and then dissolved from the league for unfair punishment...
in July.
In March 2011, Martin transferred to Beijing Baxy.
Vancouver Whitecaps
- USL First DivisionUSL First DivisionThe United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
Championship (1): 2008United Soccer Leagues 2008The 2008 Season is the 22nd edition of the United Soccer Leagues season.The season kicked off on Friday, April 12 with two First Division games, as the Charleston Battery visited Miami FC and the Montreal Impact visited the Vancouver Whitecaps.-General:...