Atlanta United’s Martinez sets MLS scoring record

Atlanta United forward Josef Martinez scores a goal against the New York Red Bulls for a 1-0 lead during the first half in their Eastern Conference finals MLS soccer game on Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018, in Atlanta.   Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Atlanta United forward Josef Martinez scores a goal against the New York Red Bulls for a 1-0 lead during the first half in their Eastern Conference finals MLS soccer game on Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Atlanta United’s Josef Martinez set the MLS single-season record for goals when he scored in the first half of Sunday’s MLS playoff game against New York Red Bulls at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The goal was his 34th this season. The previous was 33, set by Roy Lassiter in 1996. ESPN first tweeted about the record.

Martinez set the MLS regular-season record with 31 goals.

34: Josef Martínez, 2018

33: Roy Lassiter, 1996

32: Carlos Ruiz, 2002

31: Bradley Wright-Phillips, 2014