Atlanta United Forward Josef Martínez Voted Alcatel MLS Player of the Week
NEW YORK
(Tuesday, August 28, 2018)
– Atlanta United forward Josef Martínez was voted the Alcatel Major League Soccer Player of the Week by the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) for the 26
th
week of the 2018 MLS season.
Martínez scored his 28
th
goal of the season in Atlanta’s 2-1 win on the road against Orlando City SC on Friday, setting the MLS single-season goal scoring record. It was Martínez’s ninth consecutive match with a goal, equaling the all-time MLS record as well. Atlanta leads the league with 54 points (16-4-6 overall record) and maintains a 14-1-4 mark this season when Martínez scores a goal.
The Venezuelan National Team star scored his league-leading ninth game-winning-goal for Atlanta in the 74
th
minute after both clubs scored first half goals. Midfielder Julian Gressel played a ball just outside the penalty area to Martínez, with Martínez eluding an Orlando defender and goalkeeper Joe Bendik with a quick cut towards the center of the box. The 25-year-old forward then chipped a shot into the back of the net and celebrated his record-breaking goal in front of the visiting supporters section (
Watch Goal
).
Overall, Martínez attempted five shots in the match, two of them on goal. Martínez leads MLS with 47 shots on goal and is tied for seventh with 77 total shots for a 61-percent shots on goal percentage.
Atlanta United returns to action on Sunday to face D.C. United at Audi Field (7:30 p.m. ET, FS1 / FOX Sports Go / FOX Deportes / TSN2).
The Alcatel MLS Player of the Week is chosen each week of the regular season by members of the North American Soccer Reporters. The organization includes print, television, radio and online journalists who cover domestic men's soccer in the United States and Canada. Learn more about the NASR and apply to join at
https://www.facebook.com/soccerreporters/
.
