After nearly every game he plays, Real Salt Lake forward Douglas Martinez can expect a call from his biggest fan and his harshest critic. Throughout his career, those calls have provided the motivation that has guided his rise from spindly reserve forward in his native Honduras and in the United Soccer League to a USL Championship standout and champion.
After working his way into the starting lineup for Real Salt Lake, the call came as usual following a recent scoreless draw against Minnesota United in the MLS Is Back Tournament.
In a grueling match in the Orlando humidity between two calculated clubs seeking to capitalize on the rare mistakes of the opposition, both teams extinguished any potential scoring chances before they were realized.