ATLANTA (Oct. 21, 2026) -- U.S. Soccer has named Kevin Martínez head coach of the U.S. Under-15 Boys’ National Team. A UEFA ‘A’ licensed coach with more than a decade of experience in Spain and the United States, Martínez will lead his first camp from Oct. 22-29 in Chula Vista, Calif.
“I’m very grateful for the trust U.S. Soccer has placed in me and excited to take on this responsibility,” Martínez said. “What excites me most about this age group is the opportunity to help players take some of their first steps in the Youth National Team Pathway – to understand the U.S. Way, embrace our identity and values and experience the pride of representing something bigger than themselves - their country.”
Martínez will step into the role for head coach Ross Brady, who led the team in the previous cycle, as he transitions to lead the U.S. Under-16 Boy’s National Team.
Martínez has served as an assistant coach with the U.S. U-16, U-18 and U-20 Men’s National Teams since 2025 and has taken part in multiple international camps and competitions.
“Having been part of our assistant coach pool for nearly two years, he has consistently demonstrated the qualities, expertise and commitment we value in our coaches with a particular strength in individual player development,” said Barry Pauwels, U.S. Soccer Head of Development.
“We are excited to see him step into the U-15 head coach role, where his knowledge, passion and ability to develop players will inspire and positively impact many players in the years to come.”
Martínez was born and raised in Valencia, Spain, moved to the United States in 2023 and joined the FC Dallas Academy as director of performance before moving up to the FC Dallas first-team coaching staff as an assistant coach in 2024. He served as U-18 head coach at the Charlotte FC Academy in 2025 and most recently as an assistant coach with MLS NEXT Pro side Crown Legacy FC in 2026.
Martínez spent more than 10 years coaching in Spain before arriving in the United States. From 2014-21, he was an assistant coach in Segunda División B with CD Ibiza, UE Olot, CD Eldense and Huracán Valencia CF. In 2022, he was head coach of PE Sant Jordi in the Spanish third division.
In addition to his UEFA ‘A’ license, Martínez holds the Técnico Deportivo Superior en Fútbol, the Spanish equivalent of the UEFA Pro License. He earned a bachelor’s degree in sports science from the University of Valencia, a master’s degree in high performance in team sports from INEFC Barcelona and a master’s degree in teaching from Universidad Internacional Valenciana.
“Our players are at the center of everything we do and together with our staff we want to create an environment where every player feels trusted, supported and challenged to meet high standards while having the freedom to express who they are,” said Martínez. “Our responsibility is to help them grow as people and players and prepare them for the next steps in their development."
The hiring is part of the continuing focus on the U.S. Way philosophy, which emphasizes increased programming for the Youth National Teams to create more opportunities for young players to advance through the pathway to the senior National Team with the goal of representing their country at a world championship.
Martínez’s first camp will include 24 players from across the country and will be held from Oct. 22-29 in Chula Vista, California.
There are 16 clubs represented on the roster, including 15 MLS academies, with Columbus Crew, LA Galaxy and Philadelphia Union leading the way with three players each. FC Dallas and Orlando City SC each have two players called in.
U.S. UNDER-15 BOYS’NATIONAL TEAM - ROSTER BY POSITION (Club; Hometown)
All players born on or after Jan. 1, 2012
Goalkeepers (3): Sebastian Bell (Columbus Crew; Long Beach, Calif.), Samuel Ekpolegyene (D.C. United; Alexandria, Va.), Calen Mueller (Philadelphia Union; West Chester, Pa.)
Defenders (8): Evan Boyette (FC Dallas; Prosper, Texas), Yohann Calixte (Inter Miami CF; Miami, Fla.), Jackson Chacon (Los Angeles Galaxy; Placentia, Calif.), Patrick Collins (Sacramento Republic FC; Folsom, Calif.), Ricardo Esparza III (Los Angeles Galaxy; Compton, Calif.), Nathan Maura (Charlotte FC; Lincolnton, N.C.), Jason Mitchell (Orlando City SC; Jacksonville, Fla.), Noah Pine (Philadelphia Union; Malvern, Pa.)
Midfielders (7): Mateo Arriaga (FC Dallas; Ennis, Texas), Kellen Biondolillo (Los Angeles Galaxy; Laguna Niguel, Calif.), Luke Dixon (Colorado Rapids; Cherry Hill Village, Colo.), Boston Kahoalii (New England Revolution; Whitman, Mass.), Hassan Sakr (Red Bull New York; Bloomfield Hills, Mich.), Matthew Teruel (Orlando City SC; Coral Springs, Fla.), Jordan Vazquez (Philadelphia Union; Egg Harbor Township, N.J.)
Forwards (6): Crosby Ackermann (Columbus Crew; New Albany, Ohio), Brayden Brunson (San Jose Earthquakes; Lincoln, Calif.), Rashid Gbla (Columbus Crew; Westerville, Ohio), Declan McDonald (Real Salt Lake; Alpine, Utah), Evan Uiuiu (Seattle Sounders FC; Bothell, Wash.), Yaseen Zaghdoudi (New York City FC; New York City, N.Y.)
