CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Charlotte Independence added a major piece to its squad for the 2019 USL Championship season on Thursday with the announcement that two-time USL Championship Most Valuable Player finalist Enzo Martinez had returned to the club for the new campaign, pending league and federation approval.

Twice selected to the USL Championship All-League First Team in 2016 and 2017, Martinez spent the past season with Major League Soccer’s Colorado Rapids, where he made 22 appearances in the 2018 MLS regular season. The 28-year-old has recorded 28 goals and 15 assists in 82 regular-season appearances in the USL Championship over his career.

“This is my home,” said Martinez. “I'm happy to be back and be able to wear that jersey again this year. I'm bringing the same mentality as I did when I first came here. I want to do everything I can for this club. I want to win, I want people to enjoy our games, people to cheer for us and leave knowing that their players are representing them well.” 

Martinez was a key figure in leading the Independence to the USL Cup Playoffs in both the 2016 and 2017 seasons and stands as the club’s all-time leading goalscorer. In 2017 he finished as runner-up in the race for the USL Championship’s Golden Boot with 16 goals in 32 appearances, and ranked fifth in the league over the 2016-17 seasons with 25 goals overall.  

“Bringing Enzo back home was our top offseason priority,” said Independence General Manager Mike Jeffries. “Not only are we returning a two-time USL MVP candidate and a top USL scorer, but a great person and leader.  Enzo is part of the heart and soul of the Independence – his passion on the field amplifies his teammates’ play and his belief in building the success of the Independence is unparalleled.”

Martinez’s return to the Independence serves as a homecoming for the Rock Hill, South Carolina native. An alumni of Discoveries SC and Northwestern High School, where he scored 182 goals and won three state titles in his four years as a student, Martinez spearheaded UNC Chapel Hill men’s soccer 2011 NCAA National Championship and would subsequently be selected 17th overall in the MLS SuperDraft by Real Salt Lake. Martinez first signed with the Independence for the club’s inaugural season in 2015.

“The club is going through the process of building something people are proud of and I want to be a part of that,” said Martinez. “In 10 years, when I come to the stadium with my kids, and there's 20,000 people and there's a great soccer atmosphere and I'm sitting there enjoying the game, want to say to myself, 'I played a little part of it.' It's exciting for anyone to be a part of something bigger than themselves.”

Martinez becomes the sixth player under contract for the 2019 season, joining new Head Coach Jim McGuinness’ returning core of midfielder Alex Martinez, defender Joel Johnson, midfielder Kevan George, goalkeeper Brandon Miller and midfielder Jake Areman.

“Whether it was Mike [Jeffries] or Jim [McGuinness] or whoever is coaching us, I have to prove to him just like I would've proved to Mike [Jeffries] and anyone else that I'm good enough to be a part of this team,” said Martinez. “For me, it's fun for me to work with new people and new coaches and get to learn different styles. You get so much out of it and it's a challenge for yourself.”