Collin Martin


Collin Martin is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for San Diego Loyal in the USL Championship. He has played for D.C. United and Minnesota United FC in Major League Soccer, and for Richmond Kickers and Hartford Athletic in the United Soccer League. He came out as gay in June 2018, making him at the time the only out man in any of the big five American sports leagues or any top-division professional men's national soccer league.

Career

Youth and College

Born in Chevy Chase, Maryland, Martin joined the D.C. United Academy during the 2009–10 season as a 14-year-old in the under-16 category. In his second season with the u16s, Martin led the team in scoring with 13 goals while leading the side to finish top of its group in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. Then, the next season, Martin was promoted to the under-18s where he led the team in scoring with 11 goals. He impressed the coaching staff enough that season to earn playing time with the D.C. United Reserves in MLS Reserve League action.
Martin then choose to attend Wake Forest University where he would play for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons soccer team for the 2012 season in which he scored one goal and registered six assists. At the end of the season, Martin earned All-ACC Freshman Team honors.

D.C. United

On July 10, 2013 it was announced that Martin had signed-on as a homegrown player with D.C. United of Major League Soccer, thus becoming the team's sixth homegrown signing. After a short loan spell at the Richmond Kickers in the USL Pro, Martin made his debut for D.C. United on August 3, 2013 against the Montreal Impact in which he came on in the 76th minute for Nick DeLeon as United won the game 3–1. He finished the 2013 season with seven league appearances.

Richmond Kickers (loan)

On July 17, 2013 it was announced that D.C. United had sent Martin out on loan to their USL Pro affiliate, the Richmond Kickers. He made his one and only appearance for the Kickers on July 23 against the Vancouver Whitecaps Reserves in which he started and played 85 minutes as the Kickers won the match 2–1.
On September 13, 2014 he scored his first professional goal to open a 2–1 win over the Charleston Battery in the playoff quarter-finals.

Minnesota United FC

In January 2017, Martin was traded by D.C. to MLS expansion side Minnesota United FC in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft. He made his debut on March 25 in a 5–2 loss at the New England Revolution, as a 63rd-minute substitute for Mohammed Saeid.
Martin played 12 matches in his first season in Minnesota, five as a starter. Having taken no part in the 2019 season, he was loaned in late April to USL Championship team Hartford Athletic.
In October 2019, at the end of Minnesota's season, Martin was one of five players released.

San Diego Loyal SC

In February 2020, Martin was signed by San Diego Loyal for its inaugural season.

International

Martin has represented the United States at U-14, U-15, U-17, and U-20 levels.

Personal life

Martin was raised in an observant Episcopalian family.
On June 29, 2018, Martin came out publicly as gay. He was reported at the time to be the only active male professional soccer player to be openly gay.
Martin transferred his credits from Wake Forest University to George Washington University after joining D.C. United. He attended part-time for four years, and online for a fifth from Minnesota, before graduating in 2019 with a degree in history. His thesis was on the Battle of Vicksburg in the American Civil War.

Career statistics