Credit: Gotham FC
Nealy Martin is an incredible story that speaks to a larger issue in women's soccer. The lack of opportunities given the abundance of talent. Nealy is a top level talent. She belongs at this level and perhaps one day, beyond it. But to understand Nealy's journey is to understand the journey of many women's soccer players. The question that I fall back upon when trying to tell the stories of these players is how many other players with incredible talent fell by the way side or gave up on their dream because of lack of opportunity and the ability to afford to follow your dream. Luckily for us. Nealy continued to chase hers.
Nealy went undrafted out of the University of Alabama. Then got discovered at an open tryout for Racing Louisville. Then played sparingly and was selected off waivers by Gotham FC. She was then converted to a position she hadn't played before only to claim a starting role with the club and finally getting her talent and determination rewarded with a long term contract.
We got to ask Nealy three questions at today's Pre-game presser. Here are her responses.
From undrafted, to open tryout, to placed on waivers. What is it like sign a long term deal and to finally feel like you have a home?
Nealy: "It's really an emotional thing for me. Looking back, all I can say is God had a plan for me all along. I was just willing to put the work in. Keep my head down and focus on the day. Everyday getting better with the task at hand. Just like today. Focusing on training. How we can best prepare for Houston. I've done that before. Even before I went to that open tryout. I love this game. I have so much passion for it. So it is really emotional for me. And really exciting to have a home for the next three years. And have all of those emotions flood over me and look back at how far I have come. And how far I have still to go. I'm just over the moon that it is with this club."
Transition to defensive mid. Was there a player who took you under their wing or a player on this squad that you looked up to as to what type of defensive midfielder you want to be?
Nealy: "The staff really helped me envision that role and see what I need to do but I think learning from Allie Long who has had so much success at the 6 is really cool. Coming in and learning from her. Seeing what she does. How she is so good on the ball. Has helped me. But I also think learning from the center backs. Like Ali Krieger. She's a legend. Kelly O'hara. Those players help me get better every single day. Showing me little tidbits every day. Showing me how I can improve my game. Watching the game. Watching Premier league games. I trust my staff and my team. They want what's best for me. I know they will tell me when I can do something better. Learning from them has been really good."
On playing and learning from Ali Krieger.
Nealy: "It's an honor to play along side of her. I've said it since I met her. She's the ultimate leader. She leads this team so well. She leads her family well. On the field she demands so much. But I know it's from a good place. That is what a leader does. They hold the standard. She does that every day in training. It doesn't matter what happens during the game. I know she has my back and I know I have hers as well. It's been an absolute honor to know her off the field. But also to play along side of her and learn from her."
Catch our latest podcast here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/soccerovergotham/episodes/EP-86-NJNY-2-0-WAS-e29lf7m
Gary Gibson
Producer