Atlanta United Forward Josef Martínez Voted MLS Player of the Month presented by EA SPORTS™
NEW YORK
(Wednesday, September 5, 2018)
– Atlanta United forward Josef Martínez was voted the MLS Player of the Month presented by EA SPORTS™ by members of the media for the month of August of the 2018 MLS season.
During August, Martínez scored four goals and added one assist over three matches. Martínez made history this season as his 28 goals scored set a new MLS single-season record, while his nine consecutive matches with a goal scored also ties an MLS record. Atlanta United sit second in the Eastern Conference with 54 points (16-5-6 overall record).
The Venezuela National Team star began the month with a brace in Atlanta’s 2-2 draw when hosting Toronto FC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 4. Martínez pulled Atlanta even at 1-1 with a penalty kick goal in the 53
rd
minute (
Watch Goal
) before giving his team a 2-1 advantage with a diving header in the 67
th
minute (
Watch Goal
).
Two weeks later, Martínez contributed to Atlanta’s 3-1 home victory over Columbus Crew SC on August 19 with a goal and an assist. Martínez opened the match with a goal in the 31
st
minute to tie the MLS single-season goal record (
Watch Goal
). Atlanta then took a 3-1 lead in the 82
nd
minute when Martínez assisted Miguel Almirón’s long-distance strike (
Watch Assist
).
The 25-year-old forward capped the month with a record-breaking performance in Atlanta’s 2-1 road victory over Orlando City SC on August 24. With the match even well into the second half, Martínez scored the game-winning goal in the 74
th
minute with a beautiful chip from the center of the box (
Watch Goal
). The goal broke the MLS single-season scoring record and tied the MLS consecutive games scored mark.
Atlanta United return to action on Saturday, September 15 to face the Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park (3:30 p.m. ET, UniMas / Twitter).
MLS Player of the Month presented by EA SPORTS™ is voted upon by a panel of select national media members in a process conducted by MLS Communications.
