The reigning MLS MVP and Golden Boot winner will face his former club coach when the Mexico national team plays Venezuela this June in a friendly announced Tuesday.
Josef Martinez, Atlanta United's record-breaking striker, will likely lead a Venezuelan squad that could feature several familiar MLS faces against a Mexico squad selected by Tata Martino, who guided Atlanta to the 2018 MLS Cup title.
With Mexico prepping for the 2019 Gold Cup and and Venezuela for the 2019 Copa América, each team figures to bring its full squads. LAFC's Carlos Vela the LA Galaxy's and Giovani and Jonathan dos Santos could feature for Martino. In addition to Martinez, D.C. United's Junior Moreno, Real Salt Lake's Jefferson Savarino, and the Galaxy's Rolf Feltscher are among the potential MLS players who could feature for La Vinotinto.
Additionally, Venezuela's trip to the US during the June FIFA friendly window opens the possibility they could follow their game against El Tri by playing the US national team. According to the Washington Post's Steven Goff, the Yanks are planning for two friendlies in the window prior to their Gold Cup group opener on June 18.
The match will be Mexico and Venezuela's first at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, though Mexico has played numerous games in Atlanta, last visiting for a 1-0 friendly victory over Paraguay in 2016.
