Photo courtesy Nashville SC. Pennsylvanianity to improbably-high levels on display
From Club release:
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Jan. 6, 2023) – Nashville Soccer Club announced today it has signed Philadelphia Union Academy product Ben Martino to a homegrown deal and acquired Martino’s homegrown priority, in exchange for $50,000 in 2024 General Allocation Money (GAM). Nashville SC could send an additional $100,000 in GAM should certain performance-based incentives be met. Philadelphia does retain a percentage of any sell-on fee.
Martino made his USL Championship debut with the Philadelphia Union II as an Academy player at the age of 17 in July of 2020, and went into participating in three matches. He then spent the last two seasons as the starting goalkeeper for Virginia Tech at the collegiate level. In his first season with the Hokies, Martino appeared in 18 matches with five clean sheets and an outstanding 1.23 goals against average. This past season Martino became the team’s captain as he continued his prowess in net with 16 appearances and .711 save percentage.
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Transaction: Nashville SC trades $50,000 in 2024 GAM to Philadelphia Union in exchange for Goalkeeper Ben Martino
Nashville SC release
Third keeper is an obvious spot to have a depth signing (it’s been Bryan Meredith the past couple years), rather than a guy who’s taking up a ton of budget or is older than 20 and therefore clamoring for playing time. More analysis to come.
Club and Country 