Local

Atlanta United star Josef Martinez ties MLS goal-scoring record

By Doug Roberson, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta United forward Josef Martinez makes the MLS season record tieing goal past Columbus Crew defender Jonathan Mensah for a 1-0 lead during the first half in a MLB soccer match

By Doug Roberson, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta United’s Josef Martinez tied the MLS record for goals in a single season on Sunday when he scored his 27th in the 31st minute against Columbus at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Martinez joins Roy Lassiter, Chris Wondolowski and Bradley Wright-Phillips as the greatest single-season scorers in league history. Martinez has eight games remaining to break the record.

The Venezuelan has scored 46 goals in the past two seasons, which is the most in league history. He was tied with NYCFC’s David Villa.

Martinez has scored in eight consecutive games. Should he score in Atlanta United’s next game at Orlando, he will tie the MLS mark of scoring in nine consecutive games set last year by Portland’s Diego Valeri.

Martinez scored from 18 yards, striking the ball into the short side of the net with his left foot. After scoring, Martinez ran to the crowd, stood and stared, which is his customary celebration. He shoved the ball under his shirt, and then threw the ball. It was Martinez’s first goal scored from outside the penalty box this season.

TRENDING STORIES:

Martinez said during the week that he didn’t know how many goals he has scored this season and that he didn’t care about any records. He was only focused on winning.

And, Martinez has scored Atlanta United’s last nine goals. He needs two more to tie the mark set by Chris Wondolowksi with San Jose in 2010.

MLS Single Season Goals Record

Goals Player Team Year

1. 27 Josef Martinez (ATLUTD), 2018

Roy Lassiter (Tampa Bay), 1996

Chris Wondolowski (San Jose), 2012

Bradley Wright-Phillips (New York Red Bulls), 2014

2. Stern John (Columbus), 1998

Mamadou Diallo (Tampa Bay) 2000

3. 24 Carlos Ruiz (Los Angeles), 2002

Bradley Wright-Phillips (New York Red Bulls), 2016

Nemanja Nikolic (Chicago), 2017

4. 23 Raul Diaz Arce (D.C. United), 1996

Taylor Twellman (New England), 2002

David Villa (NYCFC), 2016

5. Camilo Sanvezzo (Vancouver), 2013

Dom Dwyer (Sporting KC), 2014

Sebastian Giovinco (Toronto), 2015

Kei Kamara (Columbus), 2015

David Villa (NYCFC), 2017

6. 21 Eduardo Hurtado (Los Angeles), 1996

Mike Magee (Chicago), 2013

Diego Valeri (Portland), 2017

Most goal across two seasons:

Josef Martinez, 46, 2017-18
2. David Villa (NYCFC), 45, 2016-17

t- 3. Stern John (Columbus), 44, 1998-99

Bradley Wright-Phillips (New York Red Bulls), 44, 2014-15

5. Chris Wondolowski (San Jose), 43, 2011-12

t-6. Taylor Twellman (New England), 41, 2002-03

Raul Diaz Arce (D.C. United), 41, 1996-97

Bradley Wright-Phillips (New York Red Bulls), 41, 2016-17

Consecutive games with goals

1. Diego Valeri (Portland), 9, 2017

2. Josef Martinez (Atlanta United), 8, 2018

t-3. Raul Diaz Arce (D.C. United), 7, 1997

Wolde Harris (New England), 7, 2000

Carlos Ruiz (Dallas), 7, 2006

Career hat tricks

Player, number of games, number of hat tricks

Josef Martinez*, 42, 6

Stern John, 55, 5

Diego Serna, 124, 5

Edson Buddle, 304, 4

Mamadou Diallo, 74, 4

Landon Donovan, 340, 4

* - active

Cox Media Group

Most Read