After making it very clear that he doesn’t know and doesn’t care what MLS goal-scoring records he is on the verge of breaking, Atlanta United’s Josef Martinez then grunted when asked if he knew how many goals he has scored this season.
“No,” he said.
Asked if he wanted to know, he said, “I don’t care.”
Martinez has scored 26.
With one goal on Sunday against Columbus at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Martinez can tie the league’s single-season record.
And if he scores two to break the record held by Roy Lassiter (1996), Chris Wondolowski (2012) and Bradley Wright-Phillips (2014) ...
“They’d have to move the flame-throwers back a little bit, maybe behind the boards,” Jeff Larentowicz said, referencing Martinez’s habit of getting very close to the flames when he celebrates scoring.
Of course, Martinez said it doesn’t matter to him if he scores on Sunday in front of the home fans who have embraced him.
Asked why he doesn’t care about the numerous records he is on pace to smash, he said, “I don’t care about it. I think you guys do.”
Atlanta United leads MLS in points (48) and is competing with New York Red Bulls, NYCFC and Dallas for the Supporters' Shield.
Martinez is a surly (at least on Wednesday) reason why, which is why he could break, or continue to walk down, at least three more league records against the Crew:
The Venezuelan has scored 45 goals in the past two seasons. He is tied with David Villa for the most goals in consecutive season in MLS history.
He has scored in seven consecutive games, which is tied for the second-longest streak in MLS history. Diego Valeri set the mark of nine consecutive last season.
And, Martinez has scored Atlanta United’s last eight goals. He needs two more to tie the mark set by Chris Wondolowksi with San Jose in 2010.
“Only winning, I’m just worried about winning,” he said.
MOST GOALS, CONSECUTIVE SEASONS
CONSECUTIVE GAMES WITH GOALS
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