Nico Martini and and Reno Martini at signing day for the LA Galaxy Special Olympics Unified Team. (Provided image)
Two brothers from Palm Desert have joined the LA Galaxy Special Olympics Unified Team, with one telling the head coach he wouldn't accept his spot on the roster unless his sibling made it alongside him.
Nico and Reno Martini were both selected for the team following tryouts at Dignity Health Sports Park, where 24 athletes signed contracts and officially joined the club as part of the 2026 season.
The Unified Team is supported by Herbalife and brings together athletes ages 16 to 25 — both with and without intellectual disabilities — to train, compete, and travel as official members of the LA Galaxy organization.
Nico, who does not have a disability, originally attended tryouts as a spectator, unaware he was eligible to participate. Head Coach Cris Ortiz explained that the Unified Team includes both athletes with intellectual disabilities and partners without, which prompted Nico to try out.
After the session, Nico told Ortiz his participation came with a condition.
"If you pick me but not my brother, I'll have to decline," Nico said. "I'm here for my brother." Both brothers were selected.
"We haven't had a team to play with our entire lives," Nico said. "So having a team that we can play together is an amazing opportunity."
Nico will play right outside back wearing No. 44, while Reno will wear No. 22.
"If you pick me but not my brother, I'll have to decline. I'm here for my brother."
The signing ceremony included a behind-the-scenes stadium tour, locker room access where athletes suited up in personalized uniforms, and a nutrition session led by Herbalife's Sports Performance dietitians. LA Galaxy players, coaches and staff present at the event included defender Chris Rindov, goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski, Head Coach Greg Vanney, General Manager Will Kuntz, and team mascot Cozmo.
The team is scheduled to compete in a full season that includes a home match against the LA Galaxy Academy, an away game against Atlanta United's Unified team, a Special Olympics tournament, a rivalry match against LAFC's Unified team, and the Special Olympics All-Star Game.
The LA Galaxy Special Olympics Unified Team is part of the Special Olympics Unified Sports program, which pairs individuals with and without intellectual disabilities to compete as equals and promote social inclusion through sport.
Funding for the team comes through the Joint Community Partnership Fund, a collaborative initiative between Herbalife and the LA Galaxy.