L.A. Wolves Captain Eugene “Pele” Martinez Called Up by Belize

The captain’s armband at L.A. Wolves FC has traveled a long way from Southern California.

The Football Federation of Belize (FFB) has formally called up Wolves defender and captain Eugene “Pele” Martinez to the Belize Senior Men’s National Team for the November window of the 2026/27 Concacaf Nations League. The matches will be played in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Martinez traveled to join the squad on Saturday, November 7, with his return to the club set for Thursday, November 19.

“Being called up to represent my country is both an honor and a privilege,” Martinez said. “It is a very unique opportunity that only a few players get to experience, so I am beyond grateful. Having the opportunity to wear my country’s colors again is something I will never take for granted.”

A formal request from Belmopan

The call-up came by way of an official letter to L.A. Wolves FC, dated October 30 and signed by Melanie Matute, Manager of National Teams for the FFB.

In it, the federation asked the Wolves to release Martinez for national team duty and credited the club’s role in the bigger picture. “Our collaboration with your organization plays an essential role in the continued development and success of Belizean football,” the federation wrote.

It is a line that says plenty about what UPSL clubs bring to the international game. A semi-pro club in Los Angeles is helping a national team compete in Concacaf competition.

Nations League stakes

Belize is competing in League B of the 2026/27 Concacaf Nations League, which continues during the November FIFA window. The tournament also serves as the qualifying route for the 2027 Concacaf Gold Cup, so every match in this window carries weight.

For a center back with Martinez’s experience, this is familiar ground. He has been part of the Belize national team picture since 2022 and has earned caps across multiple Nations League campaigns.

“I hope to bring leadership, dedication, and resilience to the team,” Martinez said. “I want to lead by example, give everything I have on and off the field, and contribute in whatever way possible to help the team achieve its objectives.”

A pathway built in the UPSL

Born in Belize City, Martinez came to Southern California to play college soccer at Cerritos College and later Cal Poly Pomona. Along the way, the UPSL gave him a place to keep competing.

He first suited up for L.A. Wolves FC in 2018. In 2022, he joined Flash FC, where he helped the club reach the semifinals of the UPSL SoCal Regional Cup in 2023, scoring four goals from the back line.

That form opened a door. In early 2023, Martinez signed with Vancouver FC of the Canadian Premier League, becoming one of a number of UPSL players making the jump to the professional ranks. He later played for LA 10 FC in the UPSL and for Belmopan FC back home in Belize before returning to the Wolves, where he now wears the armband.

He credits the Wolves’ competitive environment with keeping him sharp for the international level. “Being part of one of the most competitive teams in the league this season has challenged me to raise my standards,” Martinez said.

Leading on and off the field

Martinez’s impact reaches beyond the 90 minutes. He founded the Pele Soccer Foundation in Belize, which teaches young players the fundamentals of the game, collects new clothing and equipment for children, and stresses the importance of pursuing an education.

His message to young players back home is a simple one. “Never allow anyone to discourage you from pursuing what you believe is possible,” Martinez said. “Stay humble, stay focused, stay out of the way, and let your work speak for itself.”

That same leadership is what the Wolves see every week. A captain who organizes the back line, sets the standard in training and represents his club the right way is exactly the kind of player a national team wants in camp.

Martinez made sure to thank the group that helped get him here. “To my Wolves teammates, thank you for pushing me and helping me grow,” he said.

The UPSL on the international stage

Martinez joins a growing list of UPSL players earning national team recognition. With more than 900 teams across the country, the league gives players from every background meaningful matches, real competition and a stage where scouts and federations are paying attention.

For L.A. Wolves FC, it is a proud moment. For Belize, it is a seasoned leader ready to go to work.

The whole UPSL family will be cheering him on.

About the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL)

Founded in 2011, the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) serves as the unofficial fourth tier of the U.S. Soccer pyramid. With over 900 teams competing across its Premier, Division 1, Division 2, Academy, and Women’s divisions, the UPSL is the largest semi-professional soccer league in North America.

A National Affiliate member of the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF), the UPSL is made up of independently owned and operated clubs. Through its USSF affiliation, UPSL teams are eligible to compete in the U.S. Open Cup Qualifying Rounds.

For more information, visit www.upsl.com or follow @upslsoccer on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

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