Sacramento Gold FC forward Jose “Cuco” Martinez has been selected as the first Mitre National Player of the Week for the 2016 NPSL season.
The 28-year-old scored two goals and assisted on another in the Gold’s 5-3 win over CD Aguiluchos USA on April 2nd. Those were his first points of the season.
“Cuco has established himself as one of the most dynamic offensive players we’ve developed over the years,” Gold head coach Ruben Mora, Jr. commented. “He’s a threat any time he receives the ball in the offensive third because of his positioning and his ability to take players on. He’s a true team leader, and we’re lucky to have him.”
Martinez was a member of Sacramento’s 2010 NPSL National Championship team and has been with the team ever since. He scored three goals in each of the past two seasons. In addition, he scored the game-winning goal in the 2014 NPSL West Region Championship game.
The Dixon, CA native also has experience with the Turlock Express (Major Arena Soccer League) and Real Santa Rosa (Central California Soccer League).
“I started out as more of a developmental player,” Martinez added. “I learned a lot from not just the coaching staff, but also the guys I played behind. I was able to pick up a lot of their characteristics, and thus was able to better help the team and the club. I’m just happy to be playing for such a good organization, and I play every game as if it’s my last.”
The Mitre National Player of the Week is announced every Friday during the regular season. The winner of this national honor is determined by a vote of media members from across the country.
