Nicknamed "Chivas" for his devotion to Chivas de Guadalajara, Martínez played college football at Cal State Fullerton and was drafted by the then-Dallas Burn in the second round of the 2000 MLS SuperDraft.
Martinez was traded to the Los Angeles Galaxy, scoring a goal in his debut game.
Martinez spent the first half 2004 with Spain's Salamanca where he became the first Mexican to play for the club in its eighty-five year history.
[1] Joined Mexico's Necaxa for the Torneo de Invierno 2004 season.
Martínez came back to MLS in 2005, his rights were traded from Galaxy to Chivas USA, a team he seemed destined to play for.