Santa Clarita Blue Heat News Release -- www.scblueheat.com
Friday, February 17, 2012
SANTA CLARITA, Calif. – The Santa Clarita Blue Heat FC has announced the selection of Charles Martinez as Head Coach for the upcoming 2012 Season. Santa Clarita’s 2011 Coach of the Year candidate, Fabian Sandoval, has decided to pursue other endeavors and will not be returning to the top coaching spot for 2012.
A Santa Clarita resident, Martinez was the Blue Heat Assistant Coach during the 2011 Western Conference-winning season. His background includes professional playing experience with Deportivo Cuenca (1st Division) in Ecuador as well as playing with Ecuador’s U17 National Team and the Universidad de Cuenca. In addition to last season’s coaching experience with the Blue Heat, Martinez has a 20-year history of directing high level boys and girls teams to league championships at both the Club and High School levels. Charles Martinez holds a United States Soccer Federation National “A” license, certification from the Brazil USA International Soccer Institute and has undertaken coaching education/training with the Chelsea Football Club in London.
“Being part of the Blue Heat organization in winning the Western Conference last season was an amazing experience and it could not have been accomplished without the dedication and drive of everyone involved,” said Martinez. “This is a fantastic opportunity to continue working with the core of talent from last year, in addition to the accomplished players who will join us this season. My priorities include instilling the highest levels of professionalism, commitment and cohesiveness to develop the best possible team for 2012.”
Santa Clarita franchise owner Carlos Marroquin is delighted that Martinez will return and take leadership of the 2012 Blue Heat.
“Charles has tremendous passion and knowledge of both the game and tactical player development,” said Marroquin. “His work ethic will be inspirational to the returning and new players as well as for the Blue Heat organization; I look forward to a positively productive season for the team and the Santa Clarita community.”