Kyle Martino is an American soccer commentator, former professional midfielder, and soccer-focused entrepreneur. He played seven seasons in Major League Soccer for the Columbus Crew and LA Galaxy before moving into television broadcasting.
Kyle Martino earned national recognition early in his career by winning the 2002 MLS Rookie of the Year award. He also represented the United States at youth and senior international levels, earning eight appearances for the U.S. men’s national team.
Following his retirement from professional soccer, Martino became known for his analysis of MLS, the English Premier League, and United States national-team matches. As of 2026, he works as a commentator on TNT Sports’ U.S. Soccer coverage.
Profile Summary
| Profile field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Kyle Hunter Martino |
| Date of birth | February 19, 1981 |
| Age | 45 years old as of 2026 |
| Birthplace | Atlanta, Georgia, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Soccer commentator, former professional player, and entrepreneur |
| Playing position | Midfielder |
| College | University of Virginia |
| College playing years | 1999–2001 |
| MLS clubs | Columbus Crew and LA Galaxy |
| Professional playing career | 2002–2007 |
| Senior USMNT record | Eight appearances and one goal |
| Major individual honor | 2002 MLS Rookie of the Year |
| Current broadcasting role | Soccer commentator for TNT Sports |
| Former wife | Eva Amurri |
| Marriage | 2011–2020 |
| Children | Three |
| Birth sign | Pisces |
Martino’s official MLS profile lists Atlanta as his birthplace and identifies him as a midfielder. MLS and U.S. Soccer records also document his league career and eight senior international appearances.
Early Life and Background
Kyle Martino was born on February 19, 1981, in Atlanta, Georgia. He later grew up in Westport, Connecticut, where he developed as a competitive soccer player.
He attended Staples High School and emerged as a leading youth prospect. His performances created an opportunity to join the University of Virginia, one of the most established college soccer programs in the United States.
University of Virginia Career
Kyle Martino played for the Virginia Cavaliers from 1999 through 2001. He quickly became an important midfielder and received the Atlantic Coast Conference Rookie of the Year award in 1999.
His strongest college season came in 2001. Martino was named ACC Player of the Year and earned First-Team All-America recognition from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.
He was also selected to the All-ACC First Team in each of his three seasons and became a two-time finalist for the Hermann Trophy, one of the major individual awards in American college soccer.
Martino left Virginia after his junior season to enter Major League Soccer. His college career established him as a technically skilled and creative midfielder capable of organizing attacks and creating scoring opportunities.
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Career and Professional Journey
Columbus Crew and MLS Rookie of the Year
The Columbus Crew selected Martino with the eighth overall pick in the 2002 MLS SuperDraft.
He made an immediate impact during his first professional season. His passing, movement, and ability to operate between midfield and attack helped him establish a regular role with Columbus.
At the end of the season, Martino received the 2002 MLS Rookie of the Year award. The honor placed him among the league’s most highly regarded young players.
Martino was also part of the Columbus squad that won the 2002 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Two years later, the Crew finished with the best regular-season record in MLS and secured the 2004 Supporters’ Shield.
Although injuries affected parts of his time in Columbus, Martino remained a notable creative midfielder. He earned MLS All-Star recognition in 2003 and continued playing for the club until 2006.
Transfer to LA Galaxy
Martino joined the LA Galaxy during the 2006 season as part of a trade involving several players.
He played for the Galaxy through the end of the 2007 campaign. During his final season, he shared the club roster with established players including Landon Donovan, Cobi Jones, and David Beckham.
Contrary to some biographical summaries, Martino’s Galaxy career did not end before Beckham arrived. Both players were members of the club during the 2007 MLS season.
Kyle Martino completed his professional career after seven seasons in Major League Soccer. His league record included more than 100 regular-season appearances for Columbus and Los Angeles.
United States National Team Career
Kyle Martino represented the United States at multiple levels.
As a youth international, he played at the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship in Argentina. The tournament provided him with international experience before he entered MLS.
Kyle Martino made his senior U.S. men’s national-team debut against El Salvador on November 17, 2002. He was 21 years old at the time.
He finished his senior international career with eight appearances and one goal. His only USMNT goal came against Panama during qualification for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
Kyle Martino was not selected for the final U.S. squad at the 2006 World Cup. Nevertheless, his international record reflected his position among the promising American midfielders of his generation.
Retirement from Professional Soccer
Martino stopped playing professionally after the 2007 MLS season. Physical injuries and medical concerns contributed to the end of his playing career.
His retirement occurred while he was still in his twenties. Rather than leaving the sport entirely, he used his playing experience as the foundation for a broadcasting career.
Broadcasting Career
Transition to Television Analysis
Martino began working as a soccer analyst after retiring from MLS. His understanding of midfield play, tactics, and player decision-making helped him move into match commentary and studio analysis.
He worked on soccer programming for networks including ESPN and later became a prominent part of NBC Sports’ coverage.
NBC Sports and Premier League Coverage
Martino joined NBC Sports in 2012. He contributed to the network’s soccer coverage before becoming widely recognized as an analyst and color commentator for the English Premier League.
His responsibilities included explaining tactical developments, assessing individual performances, and providing analysis before, during, and after matches.
NBC’s Premier League broadcasts introduced Martino to a wider American audience. He remained associated with the network’s soccer coverage until 2020.
TNT Sports and U.S. Soccer
Martino later joined TNT Sports’ coverage of United States national-team soccer.
He has worked as a match commentator alongside play-by-play broadcaster Luke Wileman and other former players and analysts. TNT Sports continued assigning Martino to USMNT coverage during the buildup to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
His role with TNT Sports represents a continuation of a broadcasting career that has included domestic soccer, international matches, and major European competitions.
U.S. Soccer Presidential Campaign
In 2017, Martino announced his candidacy for president of the United States Soccer Federation. The election followed the U.S. men’s national team’s failure to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
His campaign focused on federation governance, transparency, youth development, and reducing financial barriers to playing organized soccer.
Kyle Martino was one of eight candidates in the February 2018 election. He received 8.6 percent of the vote in the first round and remained in the contest through the third ballot.
Carlos Cordeiro ultimately won the presidency. Martino returned to broadcasting and continued participating in discussions about the development of soccer in the United States.
Soccer Advocacy and Business Work
Martino’s work beyond broadcasting has focused largely on increasing access to soccer.
He has been involved with projects supporting street soccer, community playing spaces, and lower-cost opportunities for young athletes. His initiatives have included the Over Under Initiative, Street FC, No One Home, and American Football Company.
These ventures reflect his stated interest in using soccer as a tool for physical health, community participation, and social connection. U.S. Soccer has described him as a community leader whose post-playing work emphasizes access and grassroots development.
Martino’s advocacy does not represent an official policy-making role within U.S. Soccer. It is more accurately described as independent work intended to broaden participation and encourage investment in community-level soccer.
Personal Life and Former Wife
Kyle Martino married actress and lifestyle creator Eva Amurri in October 2011. Amurri is the daughter of actress Susan Sarandon and Italian filmmaker Franco Amurri.
Kyle Martino and Amurri had three children during their marriage: a daughter, Marlowe, and two sons, Major and Mateo.
The couple announced their separation in 2019. Their divorce was finalized in February 2020, shortly before the birth of their third child.
Eva Amurri is therefore Martino’s former wife, not his current spouse. Public reporting indicates that they have continued sharing parenting responsibilities for their children. Amurri later married chef Ian Hock in 2024.
Martino generally keeps details of his private relationships outside his professional soccer work. There is no need to speculate about his current relationship status without a verified public statement.
Major Achievements and Recognition
College Soccer Honors
Martino’s major University of Virginia achievements include:
- 1999 ACC Rookie of the Year
- 2001 ACC Player of the Year
- 2001 First-Team All-American
- Three-time First-Team All-ACC selection
- Two-time Hermann Trophy finalist
These honors established him as one of the leading college midfielders of his period.
Professional Soccer Achievements
His principal MLS accomplishments include:
- 2002 MLS Rookie of the Year
- 2002 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup winner with the Columbus Crew
- 2003 MLS All-Star selection
- 2004 MLS Supporters’ Shield winner with the Columbus Crew
- Seven seasons in Major League Soccer
The Rookie of the Year award remains the most significant individual honor of his professional playing career.
International Record
Kyle Martino earned eight senior appearances for the United States and scored one international goal.
He also represented the country at the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship. His experience at youth and senior levels later strengthened his credibility as an analyst of U.S. national-team soccer.
Broadcasting Recognition
Martino developed one of the more visible broadcasting careers among former American soccer players of his generation.
He has analyzed MLS, Premier League, Olympic, and international soccer across several national networks. His work with TNT Sports has kept him involved in USMNT coverage during an important period leading into the 2026 World Cup.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Kyle Martino?
Kyle Martino was born on February 19, 1981. He turned 45 on February 19, 2026.
Which MLS teams did Kyle Martino play for?
Martino played for the Columbus Crew and LA Galaxy. He began his MLS career with Columbus in 2002, moved to the Galaxy during the 2006 season, and completed his playing career after the 2007 campaign.
Did Kyle Martino play for the United States?
Yes. Martino earned eight senior appearances for the U.S. men’s national team and scored one goal. He also represented the United States at the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship in Argentina.
Is Kyle Martino still married to Eva Amurri?
No. Kyle Martino and Eva Amurri married in 2011, separated in 2019, and finalized their divorce in 2020. They share three children. Amurri married Ian Hock in 2024.
What does Kyle Martino do now?
Martino works as a soccer commentator and remains involved in soccer-related business and community projects. As of 2026, he is part of TNT Sports’ coverage of U.S. national-team matches.
Conclusion
Kyle Martino built a multifaceted career in American soccer. After developing at Staples High School and the University of Virginia, he entered MLS as a highly rated midfielder and won the league’s Rookie of the Year award in 2002.
He played seven professional seasons with the Columbus Crew and LA Galaxy and represented the United States at youth and senior levels. Injuries shortened his playing career, but they did not end his involvement in the sport.
Martino successfully moved into broadcasting, becoming known for his work on Premier League, MLS, and international soccer coverage. His later roles have included commentary for TNT Sports, a campaign for the U.S. Soccer presidency, and community projects intended to make soccer more accessible.
His career is defined by three connected areas: achievement as a player, national visibility as a broadcaster, and continued involvement in the development of soccer in the United States.
