By Joe Pantorno, Staff Writer
It’s easy to say that Puerto Rico and soccer don’t go together as well as peanut butter and jelly, but members of the Hofstra Pride soccer team are looking to change that reputation.
Team captain and defender extraordinaire Rich Martinez has been giving opposing strikers fits over the past four years here at Hofstra, and his efforts did not go unnoticed. Over the past two years, Martinez has been competing on the Puerto Rican national team where he has made appearances against World Cup qualifying teams like Honduras. Martinez’s play impressed National Team coach Colin Clarke enough to offer him his first professional contract with the Puerto Rican Islanders of the United Soccer League.
“I was surprised and relieved when I got the call,” said Martinez. “Since I’ve been playing for the National Team, the coaches kept telling me they’d be in touch. I went to the combine, we talked for a little bit and he got in touch with me.” The USL is a sub division of the MLS that consists of players from all over the world ranging from players straight out of college to players that have played in some of the largest, most popular leagues in the world. Last year, the Islanders competed in the CONCACAF Champions League where they took on the likes of the MLS Champions Columbus Crew and other top-flight competition.
With increased talent ready to greet him, Martinez is looking to up his game. “I can improve every part of my game at least a little bit. It’s going to be fast so I have to get stronger and become more fit. I have to learn to think a step ahead of my opponents and try not to be a hero. I just have to do my job.”
Martinez isn’t the only member of the Pride who has received attention from the Isle of Enchantment. Three other members of Hofstra, junior midfielder Steven Ehrichs, freshman defender A.J. Laza and freshman midfielder Stephen Barea, were named to the Puerto Rican under 21 National Team. They will be representing Hofstra at the 2010 Central American and Caribbean Games played in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. As freshman, Barea and Laza didn’t know what to expect in being scouted and chosen for the team. “We just had to play our best and as hard as we can,” said Laza. Their intensity proved to be beneficial as both made the squad and look forward to a lot of playing time for the club.
Ehrichs is one of two players on the under 21 team to have experience with the first team. “The experience puts me as one of the leaders; the time with the first team will help a lot,” Ehrichs said. Even with the experience, the butterflies are a certainty by the time he gets down there. “Before the first game there will be big nerves like when I played against Honduras in the World Cup qualifier, but I’m sure once the game gets going, they will die down and go away.”
Ehrichs isn’t the only one who will have the jitters before game time. According to Barea, “you have to take it one game at a time, once you focus on the game, the nerves will go away.”
You can see why these boys would be nervous. Representing their country and being the host of the games, Hofstra’s trio wants to make sure that the Puerto Rican team turns in a good showing against very difficult opponents like Mexico and Venezuela. “There’s a big reputation in being the host,” said Laza. Ehrichs added, “We are basically underdogs. No one sees Puerto Rico as a powerhouse. They usually think baseball. We can surprise them though, use our reputation and take advantage of teams that don’t expect much from us.”
Hofstra’s four Puerto Rican internationals look to use this experience of playing for both professional and national soccer teams in order to be exposed to bigger and better clubs. “I definitely want the Islanders to be the first step towards a good and successful career,” said Martinez. “I can be there for one year, or I can be there for six or seven years. If I like it, why not stay? If I get the opportunities to play for bigger clubs, I’ll take them as they come.” When asked by whom they wanted to be scouted, Laza, Ehrichs, and Barea blurted out “Real Madrid!” at the same time. With enough hard work and practice, Hofstra’s foursome may one day be gracing the pitches of Real Madrid and Barcelona, but no matter what, the lion’s den will always be very proud of their international stars.
Senior Rich Martinez signed a contract with the Puerto Rico Islanders. Freshman Stephan Barea, freshman A.J. Laza and junior Steven Ehrichs all are playing for the Puerto Rican U-21 team. (Sean M. Gates/ The Chronicle)
