The San Jose Earthquakes are, three weeks into the 2013 regular season, still battling a glut of injuries both at forward and on the flanks.
They may very well have gotten a double-dose of help in one package.
The Quakes announced on Friday that they have signed Honduran 2010 World Cup veteran Wálter Martínez, who has spent his career shuttling between both spots. Per league and team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
COMPLETE SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES COVERAGE
Martínez, 30, has 12 goals and more than 40 caps for the Honduran national team since 2002, including three times in the World Cup. And with forwards Steven Lenhart and Alan Gordon, as well as midfielder Marvin Chávez all still on the sidelines nursing injuries, San Jose could use just that kind of versatility and experience.
"Wálter is a player that we have been aware of the past few years and have been impressed with," Earthquakes head coach Frank Yallop said in a statement. "We like his experience playing for Honduras and he gives us another quality attacking option. We think he will fit in well with the squad."
Nicknamed “Pery,” the shifty attacker began his career with CD Victoria of the Honduran first division in 2001, the same club that groomed Chávez. He then moved to CD Vida and CD Marathón in Honduras before joining Beijing Guoan of the Chinese league. After spending 2007-08 abroad, Martínez moved to Deportivo Alavés in Spain for part of 2009 before moving back to Marathón. The well-traveled Martínez then returned to Beijing Guoan in 2010-11 before settling in with Chongqing FC in 2012.
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Martínez holds a United States permanent residency card and does not count as an international player on the Earthquakes roster.
