The Charlotte Independence sit third in the USL’s Eastern Conference entering this weekend’s action after taking three consecutive victories for the first time in club history.

We spoke with dynamic midfielder Enzo Martinez, a three-time USL Team of the Week selection this season, about the club’s recent rise, what he likes to get up to around Charlotte, and much more.

Question: What’s been the biggest reason for the Independence’s jump forward this season?

Enzo Martinez: Right now, I feel like we’re a deeper team than we were last year. There’s a lot of competition among ourselves to start off, and that only feeds what we’re doing on the field. It’s finally clicked for us together, understanding each other, what each player’s strengths and weaknesses are, creating an identity for who we are on the field and what we believe in. From that, I think the biggest thing from now on in the season is just being consistent and doing what we’ve been doing.

Q: What’s your morning routine like before practice?

EM: I wake up a little bit early, eat some breakfast, then my brother comes by and picks me up and we go together to practice. We enjoy those car rides, talk about different things, talk about the team, listen to the radio a little bit, then we get there, just being with the teammates and everything.

Q: You scored 182 goals as a high school player. Was there one that stood out more than the rest?

EM: To be honest, I guess just because it was about seven, eight years ago, I don’t look at any goal as standing out more than another one. Obviously, I have some goals against rival schools or in tight games that made it fun. It gave you a little more strength when you see the ball hit the back of the net, but honestly I enjoy and think there’s no better feeling in the world than scoring a goal.

EM: Given the state’s soccer history, what does it mean to you to be a North Carolina soccer player?

A: It’s great. I grew up in South Carolina, Charlotte’s on the border, so I grew up in South Carolina, played high school and club in South Carolina, and then I went to college in North Carolina, so I feel like those two states are one state to me. It’s no different to me, and to be able to come back and play at the professional level, it’s awesome to me. Obviously, the game keeps growing everywhere, and there’s always a lot of good talent coming from the Carolinas, so it needs to be guided toward Charlotte now.

Q: What do you like to do away from playing in Charlotte?

EM: I coach a lot. My brother and I actually coach for the club we used to play for when we were young, and I love to coach. I love to go out there and push the kids and see them respond to working hard, and just seeing how much coaches put into their teams, and the programs, and the things that they do. I love doing that, and I also have a daughter. I love taking her places and spending time with her.

Q: Which would you rather have: the ability to fly or the ability to turn invisible?

EM: I hate flying. I’m really scared of heights, so invisible, hands down.

Q: What’s your favorite story about your brother, Alex?

EM: There are so many. For him, the thing I love is just the passion that he has for everything. No matter what he does, he doesn’t want to lose in anything. Right now we have a little bet going on between me, him and our best friend Fernando, and it’s the first guy to eat anything unhealthy, or drink anything but water, or any candy loses, and the loser has to pay the winner $50 each. The thing is, the money does not matter. It’s just the fact that none of us want to lose to each other, and he kind of instills that in all of us in everything he does, and that’s why I love him.

Q: When you turn on your television, what channel is bookmarked to turn on?

EM: To be honest, I enjoy watching a lot of Netflix. I’ll turn Netflix on, and a lot of documentaries. Those are the things that I really enjoy.

Q: How far do you think the Independence can go this season?

EM: As far as we’re willing to put the work in. Obviously, our goal is first of all to win the regular season, then make it to the final, and then win it. I’m pretty sure that’s every team’s goal, and I think this weekend gave us a good indication of what we’re capable of doing if we keep working on what makes us successful. I think, just like every other team, go as far as every team is willing to work for.