In fact, he was playing on a torn right ACL when his left knee was injured. So he figured his soccer career might be history.
The injury to his right knee happened when he was 13, playing in a tournament for his F.C. Portland club soccer team.
Doctors then told him he was too young to surgically repair that knee. So he worked to strengthen the muscles around the knee and wore a brace to protect it while playing soccer. But it couldn’t protect his left knee.
“Those two injuries were not just physically exhausting, but they’re also emotionally (tough) knowing that you can’t play soccer for two years,” he said.
The repairs took place with surgeries four months apart in August and December of 2013. Paez-Martinez said surgery days were the toughest, because he is “hard-headed” and not a fan of pain medication. But support from family and friends helped him through the days before he could begin physical therapy.
Under the guidance of athletic trainer Steve Rocereto with Rebound, Paez-Martinez went to work on rebuilding strength in both legs.
“The thing that stands out for me is his motivation never changed,” Rocereto said, reflecting upon his work with Paez-Martinez, There were no “woe-is-me” moments, and no moments when Paez-Martinez expressed unrealistic optimism.
“That quiet determination really helped him get through the process,” Rocereto said.
“I actually did my exercises at home like I was told to,” Paez-Martinez said with a smile. “I just tried really hard to recover efficiently not quickly because I knew that I needed to recover well.”
In fact, he embraced his rehabilitation so much that Paez-Martinez spent some time last summer job shadowing Rocereto and now is considering physical therapy as a career — “So something good came out of it.”
In his time away from soccer, Paez-Martinez went to work as a lifeguard at Marshall Community Center. “I wanted a job that actually mattered, something that required a skill,” he said.
In his down time, he built his own cell phone charger.
In August of 2014, two years removed from his first knee surgery, Paez-Martinez was cleared to play tennis for Hudson’s Bay.
When it came time to try out for this spring’s soccer team, Paez-Martinez didn’t tell coach Jorge Perez his injury history.
“I didn’t want him to have that idea of me. I just wanted him to see me as any other player coming out to play,” Paez-Martinez said.
What Perez saw was a player with a strong competitive desire who also wants his peers to succeed.
“He is good with his peers — especially with the freshmen in helping them out,” the coach said. “He’s a great example for those young players to learn from.”
Paez-Martinez said the leadership qualities that help him as president of the National Honor Society chapter at Hudson’s Bay will only serve him so well on the soccer field. On the pitch, he needs to perform correctly to lead by example and earn the respect of his teammates.
Still a step slower than he used to be, Paez-Martinez said he is getting there — and isn’t playing scared.
“I used to want to challenge everything,” he said. “I’m not hesitating now, I’m just smart with how I go about it. If I can’t get a ball right away or go in for a tackle, I’ll wait for someone to take a long touch, just to secure my health.”
What to watch this soccer season
Camas sets the pace in 4A: Midway through the season, unbeaten Camas has separated itself from the pack in the 4A GSHL. Mountain View, six points behind the Papermakers, is in second place. Six of the seven teams make the district tournament, which will determine two state berths. The first-place team — likely Camas — will host the district playoffs on May 9, May 12 and May 14.
Short season for 3A GSHL: After only six league matches per school, three of the four teams in this league will participate in a bi-district tournament that will qualify five teams for the state tournament. Columbia River has wins over Prairie and Fort Vancouver and hosts Kelso at 7 p.m. today at Kiggins Bowl. Prairie and Kelso are 1-1 in league, with the Falcons owning a 1-0 win over Kelso.
Tight in 2A: Ridgefield, Hockinson and Washougal are tied atop the 2A Greater St. Helens League at 5-2 with R.A. Long at 4-3. Ridgefield has wins over both Hockinson and Washougal, and the Panthers beat the Hawks in their first meeting. The league title could come down to May 5, the final day of league play includes Hockinson at Ridgefield. The top four teams will enter an eight team district tournament to determine three state tournament entries.
1A Trico: The top three teams make the district tournament. The league champion is guaranteed a state berth, while the second- and third-place teams will play a loser-out match with Evergreen Conference teams. White Salmon (5-0-2) leads the league. Toledo (4-1-1), La Center (4-2), Stevenson (4-2) and Seton Catholic (3-3-1) will battle for a spot in the district playoffs.
Players to watch: Ahmon Afenegus, Mountain View sr.; Grant Alcorn, Union sr. (GK); Jared Berg, Mountain View sr. Cameron Eyman, Camas sr.; Alex Firl, La Center sr.; David Garnica, Mountain View sr.; Jonathan Granados, Union jr.; Liam Knoeppel, Ridgefield sr.; Bennett Lehner, Camas jr.; Will Noce-Sheldon, Seton Catholic sr.; Mitchell Pinney, Hockinson sr.
