Valencia CF Academy Scout
Sacramento, California, United States
As an Academy Scout for the Reigning MLS Cup Champion Columbus Crew, Matt Martin works for MLS’ Academy of the Year (2023-24). Matt scouts and evaluates young players, seeking those who project well to one of North America’s most unique set of profiles based upon the dynamic Game Model of Crew Head Coach, Wilfried Nancy. In addition to live scouting in the talent rich Northern California region, Matt augments Columbus Crew Academy Scouting by adding video-based scout reports to their extensive database. Matt discusses discoveries with the Crew Academy Scout Staff, reporting on matches in MLSNext, USL Academy, ECNL, NPL, ODP, PDP and International events as well as college and lower division. Matt also works with The Soccer Syndicate which he founded with Scott Rezendes and Joey Yusunas as well as Valencia CF Academy Canada.
Matt has placed 8 players in the prestigious academy set up in Rigaud, Quebec just outside Montreal and has traveled to Valencia, Spain and Gothenberg Sweden with the Canadian branch of Valencia's Academy which is coached by full time staff from Valencia CF, Spain. Valencia CF Academy is currently recognized as one of the Top 5 Developmental Academies in Europe. Valencia's Academy and its Methodology are key to what is currently the Youngest 1st Division team in Europe, Valencia CF which sits well placed in the top 10 teams in Spain, despite having the youngest average age in all La Liga.
Before Columbus, Matt worked for the San Jose Earthquakes from 2021 to 2023 as the Academy Scout and key Preparation Expert for the MLS SuperDraft. The Soccer Syndicate, North America's premier independent scouting company was formed in 2018 and has clients in USL and MLS as well as growing interest overseas. Matt was the Director of Domestic Scouting for the Portland Timbers of MLS 2015-16 and a Timbers West Coast Scout from 2017-19. Before joining the Timbers, Matt was the National Scouting Coordinator for Sporting Kansas City, (2011-2014), covering the nation with a staff involving SMWW course graduates. From 2008 to 2011 Matt was a Regional Scout on the East Coast for the New York Red Bulls.
Matt's professional career began with The Scouting Network (TSN) out of Birmingham, England after completing SMWW's Soccer Management and Scouting Course in 2007. Now he's a course mentor and a highly connected resource in the world of domestic soccer. Matt has made 8 trips to Europe since 2018, building relationships and scouting the Beautiful Game in Spain, Italy, Austria, Germany, England, Scotland and Sweden. His love for the Game grew out of an Air Force career that took him to Colombia and Italy for extended periods and planted the seed for a Scouting Pioneer.
Read this SB Nation Article: The Role of the Scout in MLS
