Eugene Pele Martínez (born 20 October 1997), also known as Pele Martínez, is a Belizean professional footballer who plays as a defender for Vancouver FC of the Canadian Premier League and the Belize national football team. College career In 2018, he began attending Cerritos College where he played for the men's soccer team. He scored his first collegiate goal on 27 August 2019 against the Fullerton Hornets. In 2018, he was named to the All-South Coast Conference Second Team. In 2018, he was named to the All-South Coast Conference First Team. In 2021, he began attending California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, where he played for the men's soccer team. He scored his first goal on 2 September 2021 against the Point Loma Sea Lions. In 2022, he earned All-CCAA honorable mention honours. Club career He spent the early part of his career in the Premier League of Belize, playing with Wagiya SC (2015-2016), Belmopan Bandits (2016-17), Dangria Youth Futbol Academy (2017), and Belize Defence Force FC (2017-18). In 2018, he played with L.A. Wolves FC in the United Premier Soccer League. In February 2023, he signed with Vancouver FC of the Canadian Premier League, after participating in the club's open trials. International career In 2022, he represented Belize in the 2022–23 CONCACAF Nations League B. Personal Martinez founded the Pele Soccer Foundation in his native Belize, which teaches youth the fundamentals of football, collects new clothes and equipment for the children, and instills the importance of pursuing an education. References External links Living people 1997 births Belizean footballers Belize international footballers Cerritos Falcons men's soccer players Cal Poly Pomona Broncos athletes Vancouver FC players Association football defenders Premier League of Belize players Belize Defence Force FC players Wagiya FC players Belmopan Bandits players