I like the country, the city, the way you live here. The league is growing up very fast, and I want to play here. It was easy for me to (make) the decision to come here. – Juan Manuel Martinez said.
SANDY — While some of the bigger MLS summer signings have flocked to larger markets like New York, Los Angeles and Seattle, Juan Manuel Martinez had other things in mind when searching for a new club this summer.
Married, with two young children, and a personality that prefers a smaller city to begin with, Real Salt Lake seemed like the perfect fit.
“It was very easy for me to make the decision to come here,” said Martinez, who was formally introduced to the media at Rio Tinto Stadium on Monday.
Martinez arrived in Utah last Friday afternoon after 20 hours of travel and was even on the bench as an available sub for coach Jeff Cassar during the team’s 2-0 win over Seattle.
There was a scenario in which Martinez could’ve played in the match, but he acknowledged it would’ve been a risk.
Sitting on the bench, though, he liked what he saw and said he’s excited to get acclimated to his new home and team soon. He expects his wife and two kids — the oldest of which turned 4 on Monday — to arrive in Utah within two weeks.
Martinez said he’d thought about a move to MLS in the past, but being on the radar for the Argentina National Team, he said it made sense to stay in Argentina and remain with Boca Juniors. He played with Messi in a few matches with the National Team, which he said was a wonderful experience.
With his playing time at Boca Juniors not what it used to be, and his window with the Argentina National team passed, he believed the time was right to make a move to MLS.
“I like the country, the city, the way you live here. The league is growing up very fast, and I want to play here. It was easy for me to (make) the decision to come here,” said Martinez, whose English is excellent as well.
Real Salt Lake general manager Craig Waibel said the club did its homework on Martinez, and truly believes he’s a high-class individual who will fit into the club.
“I won’t waver on what I believe fits in our locker room … and I won’t waver on quality individuals. I’m not going to claim we’re going to be 100 percent and get every single player right, but we’re going to do our homework on every single guy, and if we make a mistake it’s not going to be a blind one, it’s going to be an honest one,” said Waibel.
Martinez is capable of playing either of RSL’s wide forward positions or even spell Javier Morales at attacking midfield if necessary. Waibel said it’s going to take some time for Martinez to adjust to the athletic, physical style of MLS, but said he’s a technical player who fits in with RSL’s other personnel and is capable of a smooth transition.
“The quality of the club you come from usually represents what you can add, and Juan’s resume and playing experience is vast, and it’s really proven,” said Waibel.
Real Salt Lake’s next match is this Saturday at FC Dallas. Assuming all goes well with Martinez’s four training sessions this week, he’ll likely make his club debut this weekend.
Deseret News prep editor and Real Salt Lake beat writer.