Nealy Martin isn’t afraid of a challenge.
That’s part of her story to get to where she is today, in her fifth season in the NWSL.
After a four-year career at Alabama, the chemical engineering major went undrafted in the NWSL draft, so she went a different route to kick off her professional career.
“I was in Wales (2020) and I heard about an open tryout for Racing Louisville (in the NWSL). I signed up for it, I knew I was going to be home for Christmas,” Martin said. “I was guaranteed two weeks and then 10 weeks turned into two years. It was a different way to get into the league.”
Martin ended up playing the 2021 and 2022 seasons with Racing Louisville. She then signed with Gotham FC in 2023 and became a key piece to the midfield and won an NWSL championship. Now, her story will continue with Angel City FC after a trade last week.
The transaction came after Angel City’s trip to Gotham FC. She joked that the trade happened afterward, so she wouldn’t tell all of the Gotham FC secrets.
“It had been in the works for a few weeks,” she said. “The timing needed to be right. It is ironic that we (Gotham) were playing them that week
Martin made her Angel City debut in Sunday’s 2-1 loss against North Carolina Courage, coming on as a second-half substitute. She will make her home debut Thursday against the Washington Spirit.
“I’m very happy that Nealy is here,” Angel City coach Alex Straus said. “She has won in this league with Gotham and she knows what it takes to win. That’s a big thing and that’s a big asset for us. She can cover a lot of positions. She can play in the midfield, but also multiple positions in the defense. We are very happy with her coming to ACFC and that she wanted to come here.
“We need players with experience who have played championship games before and she’s been a part of a very good Gotham team. She brings a lot of qualities that she adds to our team, but in the football part, she’s a very intelligent football player.”
Speaking of challenges, what’s more of a challenge than a field player going into goal during a game? Martin first did it at Alabama and saved a free kick of her former Gotham teammate Yazmeen Ryan. In 2023, she went into goal on two occasions.
“I had to do it twice (with Gotham),” she said. “Maybe I’m a little crazy.”
Despite a two-game skid, Angel City (6-9-5, 23 points) enters the week three points outside the final playoff spot. Of the final six games, four at home.
“The middle of the (NWSL) table is wide open,” Martin said. “We want to make the playoffs and we want to have consistent performances. I could tell a change when Alex joined the club. Things became more structured. They have a style that they want to implement. He hasn’t had a preseason, but it is impressive what he’s implemented so far. Looking in (as a member of Gotham), the potential was through the roof.”
Now, as a member of Angel City, Martin is looking to help lead Angel City to the playoffs.
“I can cover a lot of ground, I’m a physical presences and I can bring stability and calmness on the ball and I can get into the attack when I can,” she said. “I’m excited for the fresh start.”
WASHINGTON SPIRIT at ANGEL CITY FC
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday
Where: BMO Stadium
How to watch: CBSSN, FDSN SoCal
