Martinez repeats as MISL Defender of the Year
May 4, 2004 - Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2) News Release
(Westport, Conn., May 4, 2004) â Monterrey Fury defender Genoni Martinez was named the 2003-04 Major Indoor Soccer League Defender of the Year on Tuesday. It's the second consecutive Defender of the Year honor for Martinez, who also won the award following the 2002-03 season, when he was a member of the Harrisburg Heat.
The three-time League All-Star finished this season ranked second in the MISL in points (67), third in goals (39), and second in blocks (88). Martinez led the League in shots (250) and restart goals (16). He tied for fifth in assists (28).
The 29-year-old native of Mexico was named the MISL Defensive Player of the Week on two occasions (Oct. 6, Nov. 24), and was the MISL Player of the Month for November and March.
"I feel very happy to win this award," Martinez said. "Every game I try to play very hard and every game I try to win. This award is good, not just for me, but for the Fury."
During his six-year career in the League, the 5-foot-9, defender has played in 207 games and totaled 203 goals, 149 assists, and 347 blocks. Martinez has also played professionally in the CISL, and in the WISL.
Voting for the MISL Defender of the Year Award followed the conclusion of the League's 162-game regular season, and preceded the MISL Championship Series. A 40-member panel, that included team executives and media representatives from each of the MISL's nine host cities, cast first-, second-, and third-place votes to determine the MISL Defender of the Year. A first-place vote was worth five points, a second-place vote was worth three points, and a third-place vote was worth one point.
Martinez wins the award after receiving the most points in the voting (92). He also appeared on the most ballots (26), and received the most first-place votes (13) of any candidate. A total of twelve defenders received at least one vote.
The Major Indoor Soccer League is a single-entity organization featuring a coast-to-coast presence with eight teams located across the United States and a ninth team in Monterrey, Mexico. On February 27, the League announced an expansion team in Stockton, CA, set to begin play in 2005-06. On May 4, the League announced plans for an expansion team in Newark, NJ, that will begin play in 2007-08. The MISL is the single major league of indoor soccer, playing a 162-regular season game schedule that concluded on April 5. The 2003-04 MISL Championship Series concluded on May 1, when the Baltimore Blast won its second consecutive MISL Championship. For more information on the MISL, visit the League's website at www.MISL.net.
Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from May 4, 2004
- 2004 Championship Celebration - Baltimore Blast
- Martinez repeats as MISL Defender of the Year - MISL 2
- Catch Hooligans on 1140 AM - Kansas City Comets
- MISL Adds Newark to 2007-08 Lineup - MISL 2
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
