Josef Martinez has had an historic 2018 season in MLS.
The Atlanta United forward smashed the league's single-season goal scoring record, winning the coveted Golden Boot. On Wednesday, the Venezuelan star was named the league's most-valuable player.
His 34 goals, ahead of the MLS Cup Saturday in Atlanta, have boosted him above globally renowned strikers Diogo (Buriram United), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid/Juventus) and Lionel Messi (Barcelona) this calendar year.
Here’s a look at how Martinez contributed as the Five Stripes chase history:
March 11 (1)
Martinez scores his first goal in Atlanta United's second game of the season - a 3-1 effort over D.C. United
March 17 (4)
Martinez finds net in minutes 15', 60' and 88' of a 4-1 win over Vancouver
April 7 (5)
Martinez scores the second of five Atlanta United goals over Los Angeles FC
April 21 (6)
In the 22nd minute, Martinez puts Atlanta United on the board of 2-0 win over LA Galaxy
May 5 (7)
Martinez scores the game winner in a 2-1 victory over Chicago
May 13 (8)
Martinez finds net with a penalty kick in a 2-1 win over Orlando City
May 30 (9)
Martinez gives Atlanta the early lead in a 1-1 tie against New England
Credit: ccompton@ajc.com
Credit: ccompton@ajc.com
June 2 (12)
Martinez scores all 3 goals - 2 off penalty kicks - in a 3-1 win over Philadelphia Union
June 9 (13)
Martinez strikes in the 48th minute of a 1-1 tie against NYCFC
June 13 (14)
Martinez scores the first goal of a 2-0 win over Columbus Crew
June 30 (15)
In a 4-0 win over Orlando City, Martinez finds the net in the 3rd minute
July 4 (17)
Martinez is lone Atlanta United scorer with two goals in a 3-2 loss to Dallas
July 7 (18)
Martinez nets a penalty kick in the 58th minute of a 2-0 win over Philadelphia
July 15 (19)
Three minutes after the Sounders takes the lead, Martinez scores the equalizer in a 1-1 tie with Seattle
July 21 (22)
Within a 43-minute span, Martinez nets three goals (30', 54' and 73') of a 3-1 victory over D.C. United. The hat trick set a new MLS career record (6)
July 28 (24)
Martinez puts two in the net in Atlanta's 2-1 win over Montreal Impact
Aug. 1 (MLS All-Star Game)
Martinez earns the All-Star Game MVP with a 26th-minute goal that tied Juventus at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Aug. 4 (26)
Martinez scores two, including a penalty kick, in 2-2 tie of Toronto
Aug. 19 (27)
Martinez nets the first goal of 3-1 Atlanta United win over Columbus
Aug. 24 (28)
In the closing minutes of a 1-all tie, Martinez finds the net for a 2-1 win over Orlando City and breaks the MLS single-season scoring mark
Sept. 19 (30)
Martinez scores off a penalty kick in the 70th minute. His strike in the 90th minute gives Atlanta United the 4-3 win over San Jose
Oct. 28 (31)
After a 5-game scoring drought, Martinez finds the net in a 4-1 loss to Toronto
Nov. 11 (33)
Martinez caps a 2-goal effort at the 83rd minute of a 3-1 win over NYCFC
Nov. 25 (34)
Martinez starts off a 3-0 win over New York Red Bulls with a goal in the 32nd minute
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