Josef Martinez's 15-game scoring streak came to an end on Saturday afternoon, although that may be the least of his and Atlanta United's worries. In the second half of the Five Stripes' 3-1 win over San Jose on Saturday, the reigning Landon Donovan MLS MVP collided with one of his own teammates, landed awkwardly and was eventually substituted in the 79th minute.
It's not immediately clear how long the Venezuelan forward will be out, with manager Frank de Boer noting after the match that Atlanta should know more soon.
Prior to his injury, Martinez had failed to find the net for the first time in 15 league games, a streak dating back to July 7. That leaves him an MLS record holder and tied for the second-longest scoring streak in world soccer since MLS began play in 1996, behind only FC Barcelona megastar Lionel Messi, who scored in 21 consecutive league games in 2013-14. Although Martinez left the game with the score tied 1-1, Atlanta managed to bag two late goals to win 3-1 and keep the pressure on NYCFC and Philadelphia for the top seed in the Eastern Conference.
As it stands, Martinez's run brought him within two goals of the lead for the 2019 Golden Boot presented by Audi, level with Zlatan Ibrahimovic on 26 and behind Carlos Vela's 28 goals. Both players will take the field later on Saturday evening.
Josef's goals during 15-game scoring streak
Player |
Club |
Season |
Games |
Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Lionel Messi |
FC Barcelona (ESP) |
2013-14 |
21 |
33 |
Josef Martinez |
Atlanta United |
2019 |
15 |
21 |
Tor Henning Hamre |
Flora Tallinn (EST) |
2003 |
15 |
21 |
Robert Lewandowski |
Borussia Dortmund (GER) |
2012-13 |
12 |
14 |
Jamie Vardy |
Leicester City (ENG) |
2015-16 |
11 |
13 |
Gabriel Batistuta |
Fiorentina (ITA) |
1994-95 |
11 |
13 |
Jose Cardozo |
CD Toluca (MEX) |
2002-03 |
11 |
20 |
Ara Hakobian |
Banants Yerevan (ARM) |
2003 |
11 |
23 |
