Thiago Martins (born 4 September 1976) is a retired Brazilian
footballer who played professionally in the United States and
Norway.Martins was born on the east side of São Paulo, Brazil, and
came to the United States in 1996. He landed in Los Angeles, at 19
years old and with little money. He eventually made his way to Santa
Barbara, California, where he slept in hotels until his money ran out.
He had to resort to sleeping on the beach. Fortunately he awoke one
morning to a group of people playing soccer on the beach and joined
them. One of the players took Martins into their home, even though
Martins spoke little English or Spanish and they spoke no Portuguese.
He began to play soccer in Sunday leagues, where Tim Vom Steeg noticed
his skill as he attempted to defend him in one game.Thiago agreed and
started taking classes at Santa Barbara City College, where he also
played soccer for two years from 1997 to 1998 under head coach Tim Vom
Steeg. Vom Steeg soon moved to nearby University of California, Santa
Barbara to take up their head coaching position with loyal Martins
transferring as well.
footballer who played professionally in the United States and
Norway.Martins was born on the east side of São Paulo, Brazil, and
came to the United States in 1996. He landed in Los Angeles, at 19
years old and with little money. He eventually made his way to Santa
Barbara, California, where he slept in hotels until his money ran out.
He had to resort to sleeping on the beach. Fortunately he awoke one
morning to a group of people playing soccer on the beach and joined
them. One of the players took Martins into their home, even though
Martins spoke little English or Spanish and they spoke no Portuguese.
He began to play soccer in Sunday leagues, where Tim Vom Steeg noticed
his skill as he attempted to defend him in one game.Thiago agreed and
started taking classes at Santa Barbara City College, where he also
played soccer for two years from 1997 to 1998 under head coach Tim Vom
Steeg. Vom Steeg soon moved to nearby University of California, Santa
Barbara to take up their head coaching position with loyal Martins
transferring as well.
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