On this day in 2018: Atlanta United's Josef Martinez records hat trick vs. Vancouver Whitecaps

Josef Martinez - Atlanta United - 2018 MLS Cup goal celebration

On March 17, 2018, Atlanta United's Josef Martinez put on a vintage performance in a home match against the Vancouver Whitecaps, recording a dominant hat trick for all three of his team's goals in a 4-1 victory. It was the fourth hat trick of Martinez's MLS career as he made his way through an MVP campaign in 2018 that saw him score a then-record 31 goals (LAFC's Carlos Vela would top that mark with 34 in 2019).


Martinez got it started with a 15th-minute penalty kick, before adding a second on the hour mark with a breakaway finish. He then capped it off with a thundering header in the 88th minute.


On the anniversary of the epic performance, check out the full highlights below.