Men's Soccer
Rafael Martinez
- Title:
- Associate Head Coach
- Email:
- rmb42@umkc.edu
- Phone:
- 816-235-5469
Rafael Martinez enters his seventh season as an assistant coach for Kansas City Men's Soccer in 2026. Martinez, nicknamed Rafa, came to Kansas City after 10 seasons of head coaching duties at Marshalltown Community College in Marshalltown, Iowa. Martinez has aided the Roos to major success during his time in KC, including a two conference championships and an NCAA Round of 16 run. Following Kansas City's unprecedented tournament run in 2024, he was named by TopDrawerSoccer as one of 10 "Men's DI Assistant Coaches to Know."
Kansas City maintained its momentum in the 2025 season, going 12-4-5 and claiming a Summit League Regular Season co-Championship. The Roos opened the season with back-to-back games against ranked opponents, drawing with No. 5 SMU and defeating No. 24 Missouri State. Kansas City was undefeated on its home turf, going 7-0-3 at Durwood Soccer Stadium. That included the biggest home win in program history, a 1-0 victory over Lindenwood in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in front of a sold-out crowd. The Roos were ranked as high as No. 18 in the United Soccer Coaches polls, finishing the season ranked No. 25.
2024 was one of the best seasons in program history - the Roos went 14-5-3, tallying a program record for most wins in a season. Kansas City was clutch on the road, picking up nine wins away from home, another program record. In addition, program records were set for total goals (56) and total assists (60). Julien Le Bourdoulous went for a single-season record 12 assists, while Elie Kisoka finished with a single-season record with 33 points (12 goals, nine assists). Kansas City finished the year with a top-five scoring offense (2.55 goals per game) and were ranked No. 18 in the final United Soccer Coaches poll of the year.
The Roos started the '24 season 6-2-3 and picked up their first ranked win of the year on Oct. 12, taking down No. 3 Denver, 1-0, for the program's first ranked win since 2008. KC remained hot through the rest of Summit League play, qualifying as the #2 seed to the Summit League Championship game, using a 90th-minute game winner from the foot of Kisoka to clinch the first NCAA Tournament bid since 2008. Kansas City claimed the title as the best team in Missouri in the first two rounds of the national tournament, taking down Saint Louis in the first round before a win over #15 Missouri State in the second round. The miracle run came to an end in extra time against second-seeded Pittsburgh in the Round of 16.
In 2023, the Roos went 4-8-6 with a 2-3-3 mark in league play. Season highlights included a 2-1 win over Creighton on Sep. 12, the first win over the Bluejays since 2008, and a Summit League Semifinal PK win over No. 23 Denver, becoming the first team to ever eliminate the Pioneers in the Semifinal round.
In 2022, the Roos notched their first winning season in 12 years, earning a result against a top-ten nationally-ranked team for the first time since 2008 and qualifying for the Summit League Finals for the first time since 2009. Martinez helped lead Kazuki Kimura and Christian Koffi to First Team All-League honors.
In 2021, Kansas City earned its first qualification to the Summit League Championships since 2012 with Martinez's help. The Roos also picked up their first result against a ranked team since 2013, a 2-2 draw with No. 15 Virginia Tech.
The Roos went 5-8-1 overall and 5-4-1 in Summit League play in his first year, with Head Coach Ryan Pore winning 2020 Summit League Coach of the Year honors. Martinez also played a large role in securing the Roos' signing class of 2021, which brought in 14 new student-athletes.
On March 24, 2020, Kansas City Head Men’s Soccer Coach Ryan Pore announced the hiring of Rafael Martinez as the assistant men’s soccer coach.
From 2010-19, Martinez accumulated the most wins in Marshalltown program history with a 129-41-11 (.743) record as members of the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference. He left MCC with the Tigers claiming consecutive regional championships. In 2018, his team finished fifth at the Division I NJCAA national tournament with an 18-1-2 mark.
In his career, Martinez developed a culture of success in the classroom as well. In three straight years, his teams were recognized as the NJCAA Academic Team of the Year. Individually, 26 players boasted Academic All-America honors.
Martinez played collegiately at Iowa Wesleyan College from 2004-2006, where he earned First-Team All-Conference honors and boasted the Conference Newcomer of the Year accolade. He was named team captain and set school records in season and career points, and goals scored.
At Iowa Wesleyan, Martinez double majored in physical education and exercise science and wellness, graduating with honors in May of 2007. A native of Spain, he graduated from the Universidad de Cordoba in 2003 with an elementary education degree. Martinez earned his master's degree in Coaching and Athletic Administration from Concordia University-Irvine (Calif.) in the summer of 2013.
Martinez also has head coaching experience at the club level with C.D. Alcazar, soccer schools like Seneca-Real Madrid C.F., boys and girls high school soccer in Columbus Junction and Marshalltown (Iowa), and in several international soccer camps. He also holds a “B” National Coaching License from the United States Soccer Federation.
“I couldn't be more pleased to welcome Rafa and his family to Kansas City,” said coach Pore. “Rafa has been a head coach the past 10 years at a highly successful program at Marshalltown and understands how to build a winning culture. His vision of the game, ability to relate to players and experience all stood out during the search process. Our student-athletes will benefit tremendously with Rafa in our program.”
College Career
Kansas City maintained its momentum in the 2025 season, going 12-4-5 and claiming a Summit League Regular Season co-Championship. The Roos opened the season with back-to-back games against ranked opponents, drawing with No. 5 SMU and defeating No. 24 Missouri State. Kansas City was undefeated on its home turf, going 7-0-3 at Durwood Soccer Stadium. That included the biggest home win in program history, a 1-0 victory over Lindenwood in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in front of a sold-out crowd. The Roos were ranked as high as No. 18 in the United Soccer Coaches polls, finishing the season ranked No. 25.
2024 was one of the best seasons in program history - the Roos went 14-5-3, tallying a program record for most wins in a season. Kansas City was clutch on the road, picking up nine wins away from home, another program record. In addition, program records were set for total goals (56) and total assists (60). Julien Le Bourdoulous went for a single-season record 12 assists, while Elie Kisoka finished with a single-season record with 33 points (12 goals, nine assists). Kansas City finished the year with a top-five scoring offense (2.55 goals per game) and were ranked No. 18 in the final United Soccer Coaches poll of the year.
The Roos started the '24 season 6-2-3 and picked up their first ranked win of the year on Oct. 12, taking down No. 3 Denver, 1-0, for the program's first ranked win since 2008. KC remained hot through the rest of Summit League play, qualifying as the #2 seed to the Summit League Championship game, using a 90th-minute game winner from the foot of Kisoka to clinch the first NCAA Tournament bid since 2008. Kansas City claimed the title as the best team in Missouri in the first two rounds of the national tournament, taking down Saint Louis in the first round before a win over #15 Missouri State in the second round. The miracle run came to an end in extra time against second-seeded Pittsburgh in the Round of 16.
In 2023, the Roos went 4-8-6 with a 2-3-3 mark in league play. Season highlights included a 2-1 win over Creighton on Sep. 12, the first win over the Bluejays since 2008, and a Summit League Semifinal PK win over No. 23 Denver, becoming the first team to ever eliminate the Pioneers in the Semifinal round.
In 2022, the Roos notched their first winning season in 12 years, earning a result against a top-ten nationally-ranked team for the first time since 2008 and qualifying for the Summit League Finals for the first time since 2009. Martinez helped lead Kazuki Kimura and Christian Koffi to First Team All-League honors.
In 2021, Kansas City earned its first qualification to the Summit League Championships since 2012 with Martinez's help. The Roos also picked up their first result against a ranked team since 2013, a 2-2 draw with No. 15 Virginia Tech.
The Roos went 5-8-1 overall and 5-4-1 in Summit League play in his first year, with Head Coach Ryan Pore winning 2020 Summit League Coach of the Year honors. Martinez also played a large role in securing the Roos' signing class of 2021, which brought in 14 new student-athletes.
On March 24, 2020, Kansas City Head Men’s Soccer Coach Ryan Pore announced the hiring of Rafael Martinez as the assistant men’s soccer coach.
From 2010-19, Martinez accumulated the most wins in Marshalltown program history with a 129-41-11 (.743) record as members of the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference. He left MCC with the Tigers claiming consecutive regional championships. In 2018, his team finished fifth at the Division I NJCAA national tournament with an 18-1-2 mark.
In his career, Martinez developed a culture of success in the classroom as well. In three straight years, his teams were recognized as the NJCAA Academic Team of the Year. Individually, 26 players boasted Academic All-America honors.
Martinez played collegiately at Iowa Wesleyan College from 2004-2006, where he earned First-Team All-Conference honors and boasted the Conference Newcomer of the Year accolade. He was named team captain and set school records in season and career points, and goals scored.
At Iowa Wesleyan, Martinez double majored in physical education and exercise science and wellness, graduating with honors in May of 2007. A native of Spain, he graduated from the Universidad de Cordoba in 2003 with an elementary education degree. Martinez earned his master's degree in Coaching and Athletic Administration from Concordia University-Irvine (Calif.) in the summer of 2013.
Martinez also has head coaching experience at the club level with C.D. Alcazar, soccer schools like Seneca-Real Madrid C.F., boys and girls high school soccer in Columbus Junction and Marshalltown (Iowa), and in several international soccer camps. He also holds a “B” National Coaching License from the United States Soccer Federation.
“I couldn't be more pleased to welcome Rafa and his family to Kansas City,” said coach Pore. “Rafa has been a head coach the past 10 years at a highly successful program at Marshalltown and understands how to build a winning culture. His vision of the game, ability to relate to players and experience all stood out during the search process. Our student-athletes will benefit tremendously with Rafa in our program.”
College Career
- Kansas City Associate Head / Assistant coach | 2020-present
- Marshalltown Community College Head Coach | 2010-19 (10 years)
- Iowa Wesleyan player | 2004-06 (3 years)
Monday, April 13
Monday, March 09
Sunday, November 23
Thursday, November 20
