Martin Nash
Encyclopedia
Martin Nash is a retired Canadian
soccer player.
A five-time all-league selection in the USL-1 and its predecssor, the A-League, Nash has won four league championships, two with the Rochester Rhinos in 2000 and 2001 and two with the Vancouver Whitecaps in 2006
and 2008
. He spent the majority of his playing career in North America, most notably in the Vancouver area, but also played in England for Stockport County
, Chester City
and Macclesfield Town
.
Nash was also a regular member of the Canadian national soccer team
, making 38 appearances and scoring 2 goals during his 13-year career.
He is the younger brother of basketball
superstar Steve Nash
.
side in 1996-97 that won promotion to Football League First Division
and appeared in 15 games as a substitute for the club's first-team the next season. He also played briefly for Third Division Chester City
in 1999, on loan for Third Division Macclesfield Town
in February 2003, and had a short stint with the Edmonton Drillers
in 1998-1999.
Nash played for the Rochester Raging Rhinos
of the A-League from 2000 to 2003, winning back-to-back league titles in 2000 and 2001. He was given second-team all-league honours in 2000. He spent the 2003 season with the Montreal Impact
, before signing with the Vancouver Whitecaps for a third time in 2004. During this time, Nash also played pro indoor soccer
in the Major Indoor Soccer League
. The 2003-04 season with the Dallas Sidekicks
.
In 2006, Nash helped Vancouver capture their first USL First Division Championship, beating Rochester Raging Rhinos
by a score of 3-0. He established a new team record for longest ironman streak, playing 77 consecutive games over three seasons. The record had previously belonged to Domenic Mobilio
with 68 games. After being named to two Second All-League teams in 1996 and 2000, Nash received First All-League honours in 2007 with the Whitecaps. The following season, on September 30, 2008, Nash was named to his second consecutive USL-1 First All-League Team, en route to another USL-1 Championship on October 12, 2008, beating the Puerto Rico Islanders 2-1 in Vancouver. The win marked Nash's fourth league title (including the USL's predecessor, the A-League).
With the departure of Jeff Clarke
following the Whitecaps' championship, Nash succeeded Clarke as team captain on January 26, 2009. He missed the final five games of the regular season after pulling his hamstring
in a game against the Rochester Rhinos on August 29. He returned in time for the playoff opener against the Carolina RailHawks. In the midst of Vancouver's playoff run, Nash was named to the Second All-League team. Despite finishing the 2009
regular season as the seventh and final seed in the playoffs, Nash and the Whitecaps advanced to the finals for the second consecutive year, eliminating the RailHawks and Timbers, the league's top two seeds. In the first leg of the final against the Montreal Impact
, however, Nash was assessed a red card in the 52nd minute after delivering a tackle to Roberto Brown
, suspending him for the remainder of the two-leg final. Brown was carried off the field on a stretcher but quickly returned to finish the game, which Montreal won 3–2.
Despite expectations that he would captain the Whitecaps as the team enters Major League Soccer in 2011, Nash announced his retirement from professional soccer on October 27, 2010, stating "Today is a day of mixed emotions for me, but we all decide to move on. I'm glad to end my career here, where it all started". Nash accepted a new role as a scout and youth playing coach with the club.
in an April 1997 FIFA World Cup qualification
match against El Salvador
. Along with Jason De Vos, Paul Stalteri
and Jason Bent
, he formed a new generation of Canadian internationals who would succeed the retiring veterans Frank Yallop
, Colin Miller, Randy Samuel
and Alex Bunbury
. He earned a total of 38 caps, scoring 2 goals. He has represented Canada in 10 FIFA World Cup qualification
matches. He was a member of the Canadian squad at the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup
.
His last international appearance to date was during a January 2008 friendly against Martinique
.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
soccer player.
A five-time all-league selection in the USL-1 and its predecssor, the A-League, Nash has won four league championships, two with the Rochester Rhinos in 2000 and 2001 and two with the Vancouver Whitecaps in 2006
United Soccer Leagues 2006
-General:* Miami FC joined the First Division.* The Richmond Kickers departed the First Division for the Second Division.* The Northern Virginia Royals departed the Second Division for the Premier Development League ....
and 2008
United Soccer Leagues 2008
The 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:...
. He spent the majority of his playing career in North America, most notably in the Vancouver area, but also played in England for Stockport County
Stockport County F.C.
Stockport County Football Club is an English football club based in Stockport, Greater Manchester. The club formed in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers, shortly afterwards merging with Heaton Norris F.C., and adopted the current name on 24 May 1890 on the creation of the County Borough of Stockport...
, Chester City
Chester City F.C.
Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
and Macclesfield Town
Macclesfield Town F.C.
Macclesfield Town Football Club is an English football team. The club was formed in 1874 and is based in the town of Macclesfield in Cheshire. The team play its home games at the 6,355 capacity Moss Rose stadium...
.
Nash was also a regular member of the Canadian national soccer team
Canadian national soccer team
Canadian national soccer team may refer to:*Canada men's national soccer team*Canada women's national soccer team...
, making 38 appearances and scoring 2 goals during his 13-year career.
He is the younger brother of basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
superstar Steve Nash
Steve Nash
Stephen John "Steve" Nash, OC, OBC is a South African-born Canadian professional basketball player who plays point guard for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association . Nash enjoyed a successful high-school basketball career, and he was eventually given a scholarship by Santa Clara...
.
Club
Nash began his career with the Vancouver 86ers in 1995. He was named to the all-A-League team in his second season with the 86ers as a 20-year-old in 1996. He spent the next several years jumping backwards and forwards across the Atlantic: he also played 5 games for a Stockport CountyStockport County F.C.
Stockport County Football Club is an English football club based in Stockport, Greater Manchester. The club formed in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers, shortly afterwards merging with Heaton Norris F.C., and adopted the current name on 24 May 1890 on the creation of the County Borough of Stockport...
side in 1996-97 that won promotion to Football League First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
and appeared in 15 games as a substitute for the club's first-team the next season. He also played briefly for Third Division Chester City
Chester City F.C.
Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
in 1999, on loan for Third Division Macclesfield Town
Macclesfield Town F.C.
Macclesfield Town Football Club is an English football team. The club was formed in 1874 and is based in the town of Macclesfield in Cheshire. The team play its home games at the 6,355 capacity Moss Rose stadium...
in February 2003, and had a short stint with the Edmonton Drillers
Edmonton Drillers (NPSL)
-Resurrection:On August 23, 1996, at a hastily arranged press conference at Telus Field it was announced that Peter Pocklington has purchased the Chicago Power of the National Professional Soccer League and was moving them to Edmonton for the rapidly approaching 96/97 season...
in 1998-1999.
Nash played for the Rochester Raging Rhinos
Rochester Raging Rhinos
The Rochester Rhinos are an American professional soccer team based in Rochester, New York, United States. Founded in 1996, the team plays in the National Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, having self-relegated from the USSF D2 Pro League...
of the A-League from 2000 to 2003, winning back-to-back league titles in 2000 and 2001. He was given second-team all-league honours in 2000. He spent the 2003 season with the Montreal Impact
Montreal Impact
Montreal Impact was a Canadian professional soccer club based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Founded in 1992, the team played in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid until the 2011 season. The owner Joey Saputo now operates the MLS team Montreal ImpactThe...
, before signing with the Vancouver Whitecaps for a third time in 2004. During this time, Nash also played pro indoor soccer
Indoor soccer
Indoor soccer or arena soccer, or six-a-side football in the United Kingdom, is a game derived from association football adapted for play in an indoor arena such as a turf-covered hockey arena or skating rink. The most important difference in play is that the indoor field is surrounded by a wall...
in the Major Indoor Soccer League
Major Indoor Soccer League (2001–2008)
The Major Indoor Soccer League was the top professional indoor soccer league in the USA. The league was a member of both the United States Soccer Federation and FIFA. The MISL had replaced the NPSL which folded in 2001. According to MISL.net, the league has ceased operations as of May 31, 2008...
. The 2003-04 season with the Dallas Sidekicks
Dallas Sidekicks
The Dallas Sidekicks were one of the longest operating professional soccer teams, either indoor or outdoor, in the United States, based in Dallas, Texas, and operating from 1984 until suspending operations following the 2004 season. The team was founded as a member of the original Major Indoor...
.
In 2006, Nash helped Vancouver capture their first USL First Division Championship, beating Rochester Raging Rhinos
Rochester Raging Rhinos
The Rochester Rhinos are an American professional soccer team based in Rochester, New York, United States. Founded in 1996, the team plays in the National Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, having self-relegated from the USSF D2 Pro League...
by a score of 3-0. He established a new team record for longest ironman streak, playing 77 consecutive games over three seasons. The record had previously belonged to Domenic Mobilio
Domenic Mobilio
Domenic Mobilio was a Canadian professional soccer player.-Club career:Born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Mobilio was a long-time member of the Vancouver 86ers turned Vancouver Whitecaps...
with 68 games. After being named to two Second All-League teams in 1996 and 2000, Nash received First All-League honours in 2007 with the Whitecaps. The following season, on September 30, 2008, Nash was named to his second consecutive USL-1 First All-League Team, en route to another USL-1 Championship on October 12, 2008, beating the Puerto Rico Islanders 2-1 in Vancouver. The win marked Nash's fourth league title (including the USL's predecessor, the A-League).
With the departure of Jeff Clarke
Jeff Clarke
Jeffrey Clarke is a Canadian former professional soccer player, who is currently playing for Surrey United Firefighters and works as head coach by Surrey United Women. Clarke earned nineteen caps, scoring one goal, for the Canadian national team...
following the Whitecaps' championship, Nash succeeded Clarke as team captain on January 26, 2009. He missed the final five games of the regular season after pulling his hamstring
Hamstring
In human anatomy, the hamstring refers to any one of the three posterior thigh muscles, or to the tendons that make up the borders of the space behind the knee. In modern anatomical contexts, however, they usually refer to the posterior thigh muscles, or the tendons of the semitendinosus, the...
in a game against the Rochester Rhinos on August 29. He returned in time for the playoff opener against the Carolina RailHawks. In the midst of Vancouver's playoff run, Nash was named to the Second All-League team. Despite finishing the 2009
United Soccer Leagues 2009
The 2009 season is the 23rd season played by the United Soccer Leagues. Season titles will be contested by 20 professional men's clubs in the USL First Division and USL Second Division, as well as 37 professional and amateur women's clubs in the W-League and 68 professional and amateur men's teams...
regular season as the seventh and final seed in the playoffs, Nash and the Whitecaps advanced to the finals for the second consecutive year, eliminating the RailHawks and Timbers, the league's top two seeds. In the first leg of the final against the Montreal Impact
Montreal Impact
Montreal Impact was a Canadian professional soccer club based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Founded in 1992, the team played in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid until the 2011 season. The owner Joey Saputo now operates the MLS team Montreal ImpactThe...
, however, Nash was assessed a red card in the 52nd minute after delivering a tackle to Roberto Brown
Roberto Brown
Roberto Brown is a Panamanian footballer currently playing for Panama's San Francisco F.C..-Club:Brown spent the majority of his early career playing for numerous teams in Central America and Europe...
, suspending him for the remainder of the two-leg final. Brown was carried off the field on a stretcher but quickly returned to finish the game, which Montreal won 3–2.
Despite expectations that he would captain the Whitecaps as the team enters Major League Soccer in 2011, Nash announced his retirement from professional soccer on October 27, 2010, stating "Today is a day of mixed emotions for me, but we all decide to move on. I'm glad to end my career here, where it all started". Nash accepted a new role as a scout and youth playing coach with the club.
International
Nash made his debut for CanadaCanada men's national soccer team
The Canada men's national soccer team represents Canada in international soccer competitions at the senior men's level. They are overseen by the Canadian Soccer Association and compete in the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football .Their most significant...
in an April 1997 FIFA World Cup qualification
FIFA World Cup qualification
The FIFA World Cup qualification is the process that a national association football team goes through to qualify for the FIFA World Cup Finals. The FIFA World Cup is a global event, so qualification is required to reduce the large field of participants from about 200 to 32.Qualifying tournaments...
match against El Salvador
El Salvador national football team
El Salvador's national football team represents El Salvador in international football and is sanctioned by the Federación Salvadoreña de Fútbol . In 1899, Santa Ana and San Salvador met for the first hosted football game in El Salvador...
. Along with Jason De Vos, Paul Stalteri
Paul Stalteri
Paul Stalteri is a Canadian association football player who has spent most of his professional career in Germany. He won the league and cup double with Werder Bremen in the 2003-04 season, and is currently a Free Agent...
and Jason Bent
Jason Bent
Jason Andrew Bent is a former Canadian international football player. He currently works as an assistant coach for Toronto FC.-Club career:...
, he formed a new generation of Canadian internationals who would succeed the retiring veterans Frank Yallop
Frank Yallop
Frank Walter Yallop is an English-born Canadian former professional association football player. He is currently the head coach of San Jose Earthquakes in Major League Soccer....
, Colin Miller, Randy Samuel
Randy Samuel
Randolph FitzGerald "Randy" Samuel is a Canadian former soccer player turned manager, who is currently head coach at Lobbans FC.As a player he picked up a record 82 caps for the Canadian national team.-Early life:...
and Alex Bunbury
Alex Bunbury
Alexander "Alex" Bunbury is a former Canadian professional footballer, who played as a striker.-Club career:Bunbury started playing professionally with the Hamilton Steelers in Canada, also having one-year spells in the Canadian Soccer League with the Toronto Blizzard and Montreal Supra.In 1993,...
. He earned a total of 38 caps, scoring 2 goals. He has represented Canada in 10 FIFA World Cup qualification
FIFA World Cup qualification
The FIFA World Cup qualification is the process that a national association football team goes through to qualify for the FIFA World Cup Finals. The FIFA World Cup is a global event, so qualification is required to reduce the large field of participants from about 200 to 32.Qualifying tournaments...
matches. He was a member of the Canadian squad at the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup
2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup
The 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup was the ninth edition of the Gold Cup, the football championship of North America, Central America and the Caribbean , and was won by the United States over Mexico. It was contested in the United States from June 6 to June 24, 2007.This competition was the third...
.
His last international appearance to date was during a January 2008 friendly against Martinique
Martinique national football team
The Martinique national football team represents the French overseas department and region of Martinique in international football. The team is controlled by the Ligue de Football de la Martinique , a local branch of French Football Federation . On 7 August 2010, the national team adopted the...
.
International goals
- Scores and results list Canada's goal tally first.
# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1 January 11, 2000 National Stadium Bermuda National StadiumBermuda National Stadium is a multi-purpose sports complex in Devonshire Parish, Bermuda, just to the east of the capital, Hamilton.-Football:The main stadium is currently used mostly for football matches. The stadium holds 8,500...
, HamiltonHamilton, BermudaHamilton is the capital of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda. It is the territory's financial centre and a major port and tourist destination.-Geography:...
, BermudaBermudaBermuda is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located off the east coast of the United States, its nearest landmass is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about to the west-northwest. It is about south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and northeast of Miami, Florida...
1-0 2-0 Friendly 2 January 11, 2000 National Stadium Bermuda National StadiumBermuda National Stadium is a multi-purpose sports complex in Devonshire Parish, Bermuda, just to the east of the capital, Hamilton.-Football:The main stadium is currently used mostly for football matches. The stadium holds 8,500...
, HamiltonHamilton, BermudaHamilton is the capital of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda. It is the territory's financial centre and a major port and tourist destination.-Geography:...
, BermudaBermudaBermuda is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located off the east coast of the United States, its nearest landmass is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about to the west-northwest. It is about south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and northeast of Miami, Florida...
2-0 2-0 Friendly
Rochester Rhinos
- A-LeagueA-League (1995–2004)The A-League was a professional men's soccer league which featured teams from both the United States and Canada. The A-League emerged out of the restructured American Professional Soccer League in 1995 and operated until 2004, after which it was re-branded the USL First Division...
Championship (2): 20002000 A-League-Northeast Division:-Atlantic Division:-Central Division:-Pacific Division:-Eastern Conference:-Western Conference:-----Eastern semifinal 1:-Eastern semifinal 2:-Western semifinal 1:-Western semifinal 2:...
, 20012001 A-League-History:The addition of the Portland Timbers this season saw the renewal of a Pacific Northwest rivalry between them, the Seattle Sounders and Vancouver Whitecaps which dated back to the North American Soccer League. Although Vancouver was not new to the league, this was the first season they...
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- 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 (2): 2006United Soccer Leagues 2006-General:* Miami FC joined the First Division.* The Richmond Kickers departed the First Division for the Second Division.* The Northern Virginia Royals departed the Second Division for the Premier Development League ....
, 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:...
Individual
- USSF D-2 Pro LeagueUSSF Division 2 Professional LeagueUSSF Division 2 Professional League was a temporary professional soccer league created by the United States Soccer Federation in 2010 to last just one season. The twelve-team league was formed as a compromise between the feuding United Soccer Leagues and the North American Soccer League...
Best XI (1): 2010