Sydney Martinez joined reigning Players’ Shield winner Carolina Ascent FC ahead of its 2025/26 Gainbridge Super League campaign, now playing alongside players she faced off against last season with Brooklyn FC. The goalkeeper made the move with former Brooklyn forwards Mackenzie George and Luana Grabias, but there was another familiar face on Carolina’s squad that Martinez would be reuniting with in Charlotte.
For the first time in over a year, Martinez would share the pitch again with Puerto Rican National Team defender Jill Aguilera. The players made history together in 2024 when the Boricuas advanced to their first ever CONCACAF qualifying tournament.
Martinez and Aguilera were called up in February to take on 2023 World Cup participant, Haiti, to secure Puerto Rico a spot in the 2024 W Gold Cup. Going in as the underdog, the pair expected a hard-fought battle for Puerto Rico.
“We knew what we were getting ourselves into,” Aguilera said. “Our mindset was just to play as hard as we can, give everything that we have, because every single game, whether we had lost to Haiti and not made the tournament, that was history-making, in and of itself. So there really was nothing for us to lose.”
Martinez agreed and explained how the team tried to stay in the moment, considering they would have a quick turnaround before the group stage matches.
“We’re making history now by making it this far,” she said. “Let’s see what happens. Let’s give everything we have to this game. There was no, ‘Okay, what’s going on tomorrow?’ It was right there, in that day.”
This mindset paid off, as Aguilera and Martinez both contributed to the victory against Haiti. Aguilera slotted home a penalty – which would ultimately be the game-winner – in the closing minutes of the first half, and Martinez guarded the net with ferocity, making 11 saves to keep hold of the lead. The 1-0 win was just the start of the historic run for Puerto Rico, which went on to defeat Panama 2-0 in its first group stage match of the tournament.
Now, as teammates on the club level, Aguilera and Martinez explained how their shared experience representing Puerto Rico on the international stage influences their dynamic at Carolina Ascent.
Martinez emphasized that the shared history between the two eased her transition to the Ascent this summer, while Aguilera explained how their mutual understanding of each other’s styles of play helps them work in tandem defensively.
“I think we kind of know each other’s tendencies,” Aguilera shared. “If Syd’s making a save, I know where it’s going. And I think when she’s distributing the ball, she knows where I make my runs, how I make my runs.”
Both Martinez and Aguilera made history with many firsts in the Gainbridge Super League’s inaugural season. As they reflected on their soccer careers up to this point, there was a sense of gratitude for their accomplishments, as well as inspiration for the precedent they have set for Puerto Rican girls hoping to follow in their footsteps.
“We are a small island, but we’ve created a pretty solid foundation over the last two, three years,” Aguilera said. “Just being a part of that build and that legacy in putting ourselves on the map has meant a lot, and I’m really grateful for that.”
“I grew up out in the middle of nowhere,” Martinez added. “Soccer wasn’t really a thing yet. Same thing with the girls on the island. It is a small island… but there is [opportunity]. You can still make it to this level. So just keep pushing, never give up.”