One Venezuelan pioneer proud of another

As the first Venezuelan to play in MLS, Portland manager Giovanni Savarese said he’s very proud that Atlanta United striker Josef Martinez became the first Venezuelan to be named the league’s MVP.

“First Venezuelan to win MVP is very important,” Savarese said Thursday.

Savarese is trying to figure out how to slow down Martinez ahead of Saturday’s MLS Cup between the two teams at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Martinez became not only the single-season scoring leader when he notched 31 goals during the regular season, he has added three more in the playoffs to become the single season combined scoring leader.

Savarese was a scorer when he was selected by New York/New Jersey MetroStars in the ninth round of the inaugural MLS draft in 1996. He scored 41 goals during the regular season, and 44 overall, for the club from 1996-98.

About the Author

Q&A with Atlanta United’s Gerardo Martino: On the roster, pressure and World Cup

Martino said believes he can help the Five Stripes win, similar to when he led them the first time.

Atlanta United managerial finalists included one surprise

Atlanta United’s list of managerial finalists, culminated by the hiring of Gerardo Martino, included several other highly regarded managers.

‘On a good track’: Martino believes Atlanta United is better than its results

During an introductory news conference Thursday, Gerardo Tata Martino acknowledged that there are obviously needed improvements or there wouldn’t have been a coaching change.

The Latest

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

Atlanta United managerial finalists included one surprise

Q&A with Atlanta United’s Gerardo Martino: On the roster, pressure and World Cup

‘On a good track’: Martino believes Atlanta United is better than its results

Featured

Credit: Bloomberg via Getty Images

Prosecutor takes helm of Georgia case against Trump. But will he move forward?

A veteran Georgia prosecutor will decide the fate of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis' election interference case against Donald Trump and his allies.

With some solar power tax breaks expiring, Georgians rush to catch the sun

Georgia solar installers say they’re seeing a surge of customers trying to install rooftop solar systems before federal tax credits go away at the end of the year.

‘Automatic for the People’: Weaver D’s still bonds Athens as era nears end

After feeding everyone from R.E.M. to Brian Kemp, and coining a phrase that went global, Dexter Weaver is preparing to close his storied Athens soul food restaurant.