Manuel Oliveira “Youngie” Martin (December 29, 1917, inBristol, Rhode Island – September 5, 1997, inFall River, Massachusetts) was an Americansoccer player. He earned sevencaps with theU.S. national team between 1947 and 1949 and was a member of theU.S. soccer team at the1948 Summer Olympics.[1]
In 1947, theUnited States Soccer Federation selected the amateurPonta Delgada S.C. team fromFall River, Massachusetts, to represent the U.S. at the1947 NAFC Championship. At the time, Ponta Delgada was the reigningNational Challenge Cup andNational Amateur Cup champions. As a member of the National Cup champions Delgada, Martin traveled to Cuba for the NAFC Championship in July 1947. The U.S. lost both matches, 6–0 toMexico and 5–2 toCuba. In 1948, he again played in both U.S. games, also losses, this time toNorway andIreland. He was the captain of the game with Norway. That year, he traveled toLondon for the1948 Summer Olympics. However, the U.S. lost to Italy in the first round of the single elimination tournament. In 1949, he continued to be a stalwart for the U.S. as he started all five U.S. games that year. Four of the games came in the1949 NAFC Championship. The U.S. took second place which guaranteed them a place in the1950 FIFA World Cup. However, Martin was not selected for the World Cup roster.
After retiring from playing, Martin continued his involvement in the sport and began to coach, including time as the assistant coach of theUniversity of Massachusetts Dartmouth women's soccer team.
He was inducted into the New England Soccer Hall of Fame in 1983.[citation needed]
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