Atlanta United striker Josef Martinez was supposed to wear a mask to protect his broken nose for at least six weeks. It seems it may not last longer than 60 minutes.
Martinez ripped off the mask, which was necessary after he suffered a broken nose while scoring in a win at Columbus, and threw it toward the crowd in the second half of last week’s 1-1 draw with Portland at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. He had missed a couple of scoring chances in the game.
Martinez played the remaining minutes against the Timbers without the black cover. He didn’t take questions after the game.
Speaking to the media Friday, Martinez said, “I don’t think I like wearing the mask, so I think I’ll be OK.”
Atlanta United will host Orlando City on Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Martinez leads MLS with 14 goals, one of which came in the Five Stripes’ 2-1 win in Orlando earlier this season.
Martinez was one of five Atlanta United players confirmed Friday on the roster for the MLS All-Star game against Juventus at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Aug. 1.
