Goal-by-goal look at Josef Martinez’s historic MLS season

Atlanta United forward Josef Martinez reacts to scoring a goal against Orlando City for a 1-0 lead Saturday, June 30, 2018, in Atlanta.

Credit: Curtis Compton

Credit: Curtis Compton

Atlanta United forward Josef Martinez reacts to scoring a goal against Orlando City for a 1-0 lead Saturday, June 30, 2018, in Atlanta.

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

Miguel Almiron jumps on Josef Martinez’s back to celebrate Martinez’s goal for a 1-0 lead against Philadelphia Union Saturday, June 2, 2018, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.  

Credit: ccompton@ajc.com

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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