Podcast: New Berkshire coach Kelvin Martinez on his vision for the program

New Berkshire School boys soccer head coach Kelvin Martinez joined 'The Goal.' (Courtesy photo)

The latest guest on New England Soccer Journal’s “The Goal” podcast is Berkshire School boys soccer head coach Kelvin Martinez.

He was hired earlier this year to take over the perennial NEPSAC powerhouse that captured Class A titles in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2018.

Martinez arrived after a successful seven-year tenure at Northwood School’s Black Rock Residential Academy, where he helped lead the U-17 and U-19 teams to national prominence, securing multiple tournament titles. Under his leadership, dozens of players advanced to top collegiate programs, and several signed professional contracts.

Before Northwood, Martinez played a pivotal role in strengthening the Fay School soccer program, leading the team to two successful seasons. He also coached at Riverdale Country School (N.Y.), where he helped guide the varsity team to a New York state title. Additionally, he coached at the collegiate level, serving as an assistant at Maritime College (N.Y.). A former captain at Northfield Mount Hermon, Martinez played collegiately at Union College, where he was one of the team’s scoring leaders during his time there.

Martinez joined hosts Matt Langone and Matt Doherty to discuss his vision for the Berkshire program, why he wanted the job, and the process of building Rise Academia in his home country, Honduras.

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Here are some highlights from our discussion:

On the potential for the Berkshire program:

Martinez: “Those guys are absolutely hungry. They are a united front. So, we’re coming into a culture that is very healthy and very stable. Having so many guys who are sort of, like, the top dogs right now, returning, who have that sense of wanting to complete the job that they started last year.”

On his long-term vision for the program:

Martinez: “We want to create longevity to the program, in terms of the culture, in terms of the quality as well. But, really, these returning seniors, they are the core. They are the guys who are going to really set the culture and mentor the new guys that are coming in.”

On his desired playing style:

Martinez: “We have added an increased amount of depth to the program, which would allow us to be a much more dynamic and high-pressing team that really sets and controls tempo from the beginning of games. We are heading towards being a program that really sets the tempo of games, that recovers the ball, that maintains a high level of possession, that tries to play the game as much as possible in the other team’s defensive third. We have the guys, certainly, to do that.”

On building a soccer academy in Honduras:

Martinez: “We brought in 50 balls and a 100 pairs of cleats, and I can tell you when we opened those barrels and these kids saw those cleats, their eyes just lit up. It was the most incredible moment. Then, for these guys to be training like a professional academy — they had never seen cones, balls, cleats, never seen any of that stuff that we start taking for granted. And now it’s a part of their norm.”

The full podcast can be accessed below and is available on all major platforms. If you enjoy it, please leave a rating and a review.