August 12, 2022

The making of one of MLS’ best strikers - Josef Martinez

By Ross Hughes

 

Since moving to Atlanta United in the MLS, Josef Martinez has written his name into the history books that many times that more pages are needed. The forward is a household name in the States and boasts impressive goal-to-game ratios every season.

The Venezuelan began his career in his native country, representing Caracas in the Venezuelan Primera Division. He made his debut in August 2010 as he came off the bench in a 1-0 win against Estudiantes de Merida. He scored his first goal for the club in a 2-2 draw against Deportivo Petare in November, with his name on the scoresheet soon becoming a familiar sight. During his two-year spell at the club, Martinez scored nine goals in 43 appearances, which earned him a move to Switzerland, where he signed for Young Boys.

The striker spent three years at Young Boys but only scored three goals during this period. Martinez's play took on a new dimension as the striker established himself as a powerful presence up front and proved difficult for defenders to handle, even though he failed to register a goal. Defenders were perplexed by his raw speed and quick feet. Along with his hold-up play and ability to give teammates opportunities, this constituted a formidable menace.

His impressive performances saw him called up to the Venezuela national team, in which he made his debut for his nation in August 2011 as he was substituted with 15 minutes to play. Martinez netted his first goal for his country two years later, in May 2013, as he found the back of the net in a friendly against El Salvador. Martinez flourished in the national jersey once he started playing internationally and has since scored 11 additional goals for La Vinotinto in 58 appearances. Martinez was showing signs of being able to succeed on a large stage, transitioning from prodigy to master.

Whilst on the books of Young Boys, Martinez was shipped out to fellow Swiss Super League side, FC Thun. Martinez grabbed the opportunity with both hands and adapted well to his new team. His eye for goal was wide open, and he scored eight league goals in 18 games for his new side, making him the top scorer at the time. His stellar performances meant Young Boys were on the phone and recalled Martinez to bolster their squad.

On the Italian side, Torino was interested in Martinez after seeing his capability across the border in Switzerland. The Serie A outfit purchased Martinez for €3 million. This was a big opportunity for the Venezuelan, and it presented a real chance to show what he could do in front of a goal. He made his debut in the third round of the Europa League, helping his new side to a 3-0 victory away at the Swedish side, Brommapojkarna. In the return leg, Martinez opened his Torino account as he bagged a goal in a 4-0 rout, sending his side through 7-0 on aggregate. 

He became fond of the Europa League and completed a brace against Copenhagen. His two goals saw the ‘Granata’ cruise to a 5-1 victory, with Martinez earning plaudits from the media for his deadly finishing. He scored against Sampdoria in a 2-2 draw to start his Serie A account as well. The forward netted another brace soon after, as he put two past Udinese in another 5-1 victory.

The forward swapped Europe for North America and joined Atlanta United in a loan-to-buy deal in February 2017. Martinez would make a name for himself, as his goalscoring talents in America sent waves that rippled globally. A week after making his MLS debut, Martinez scored the club’s first ever hat-trick in a 6-1 win over Minnesota United. He became a deadly finisher who only needed a half-chance to put the ball in the back of the net and immediately gained affection from fans of Atlanta.

Much to their delight, the option to buy clause in the loan deal was triggered, and Martinez was an Atlanta United player. This happened only a month after the loan deal was agreed, showing how keen United was to snap up the finisher. Martinez was named the MLS Player of the Month for March after scoring five in three games in the same month.

However, March was not all smiles for Martinez, who injured his left quadricep whilst on international duty. The injury sidelined him for two months, but the recovery time was added as he sustained an injury over the Summer. Martinez's return to the team strengthened the comeback as he scored back-to-back hat-tricks against the New England Revolution and Orlando City. Martinez was selected Player of the Month for his astonishing play. Martinez scored 20 goals in 20 appearances, across all competitions, despite an injury delaying his development, earning a spot in the MLS Best XI of 2017.

He began writing his name in the history books in 2018, as Martinez scored his fifth MLS hat-trick, which equalled the league record for several hat-tricks and made him the fastest player to achieve this. He then continued his goalscoring habits and smashed the record after only making 44 appearances. When the MLS All-Stars played Italian powerhouse Juventus, he demonstrated why his name was always in the media. He notched his side’s only goal in a 1-1 draw against the Old Lady and earned the MVP award post-match.

Later that year, he broke another record as he scored his 28th goal. He broke the record after just 26 matches, comfortably beating his competitors. He ended the season with 35 goals, setting a new record for himself.

In August 2019, he had scored in 12 consecutive games, setting a new MLS record that would continue, as, by September, Martinez had netted in his past fifteen games! He became an MLS great and a danger to any opposition defence. His smooth finishing and his powerful and aggressive playstyle meant he was a constant threat throughout the ninety.

2020 would falter the form of the Venezuelan as he tore his ACL in Atlanta’s opening game of the season. The injury put him out for the season, and he never hit the heights he hit in the previous two years before his injury.

He returned from injury in April 2021 as he came off the bench to see a 1-0 win against Alajuelense. He travelled to Copa America with his Venezuelan teammates and scored against Bolivia for the third time in his career. Upon his return, Martinez found form again and concluded the season with 12 goals in 29 games, helping Atlanta pick up points against LAFC and CF Montreal.

Atlanta plays Cincinnati next, where Martinez will be hopeful of helping his side climb the table as they find themselves at the opposite end of where they would like to be.

Previous Post

UEFA Super Cup Review- Real Madrid vs Frankfurt

Next Post

Is Marc Cucurella the versatile player Chelsea wanted?

Related Articles

  • June 29, 2022

    How has the Dutch League shaped Eric Ten Hag for Manchester United?

  • July 08, 2022

    Lionel Messi’s agent refutes claims of Inter Miami stake purchase and a potential move

  • July 11, 2022

    Best U21 Attackers in Eredivisie

  • July 11, 2022

    Gabriel Slonina: The goalkeeping prospect Chelsea and Real Madrid clash for

  • July 11, 2022

    FIFA announces hosts cities for World Cup 2026

  • July 12, 2022

    Juventus and Italy legend Giorgio Chiellini signs with LAFC

  • July 13, 2022

    Standout players in Eredivisie outside the ‘Big 3’: season 2021-22

  • July 18, 2022

    MLS Match Report- Los Angeles FC vs FC Dallas

  • July 20, 2022

    Lisandro Martinez at Manchester United- a blessing in disguise?

  • July 20, 2022

    Gareth Bale joins MLS Western Conference leaders LAFC

  • July 21, 2022

    How will Milan Škriniar transform Chelsea

  • July 25, 2022

    ‘Vietnamese Messi’ Nguyen Quang Hai pens deal with Ligue 2 side Pau FC

  • July 26, 2022

    LAFC triumphs over LA Galaxy in the enthralling derby at Banc of California

  • July 27, 2022

    Federico Bernardeschi – Toronto’s Italian Job

  • July 27, 2022

    Players to watch: Top 3 Eredivisie wingers in the 2022/2023 season

  • July 28, 2022

    How will Tyrell Malacia compare with Erik Ten Hag’s left-backs

  • July 29, 2022

    Top three Eredivisie Midfielders to look out for in the 2022/23 season

  • August 01, 2022

    Five MLS defenders to watch in the 2022- season

  • August 01, 2022

    LAFC 2 – 1 Seattle Sounders – Bale and Chiellini Win on Home Debut for the Black and Gold

  • August 02, 2022

    MLS Match Report: FC Dallas vs LA Galaxy

  • August 02, 2022

    DFL Super Cup 2022 Report: RB Leipzig vs Bayern Munich

  • August 02, 2022

    MLS Match Report: Nashville SC vs Vancouver Whitecaps

  • August 03, 2022

    MLS Match Report: Sporting KC vs Austin FC

  • August 03, 2022

    Summer 2022: A summer of the overhaul for Tottenham that should send fans, and opposition frenetic

  • August 03, 2022

    How Man City could line up Erling Haaland and Kalvin Phillips with their current squad

  • August 03, 2022

    Players to watch: Top Three Eredivisie wingers in the 2022/2023 season

  • August 03, 2022

    MLS Match Report: San Jose Earthquakes vs Real Salt Lake

  • August 04, 2022

    An active transfer window to fire Sparta Rotterdam up on the Eredivisie table

  • August 04, 2022

    Bergwijn, Kezman, Altidore: Premier League’s 8 Biggest Eredivisie flops

  • August 04, 2022

    England defeat Germany to win the European Championships

  • August 04, 2022

    Barcelona have made a significant stride forward with the signing of Jules Kounde

  • August 04, 2022

    Premier League names Alison Brittain as its first female chair

  • August 05, 2022

    MLS Match Report: Seattle Sounders vs FC Dallas

  • August 05, 2022

    Jesus Ferreira – A USMNT Star in the making

  • August 05, 2022

    MLS Match Report: San Jose Earthquakes vs Inter Miami CF

  • August 05, 2022

    Top 3 U-25 wingers in La Liga for 2022-23 season

  • August 05, 2022

    How will Giovani Lo Celso’s return benefit Villarreal?

  • August 05, 2022

    Chelsea Eyeing Villareal defender Pau Torres for a £50m Move: Good choice for Tuchel?

  • August 06, 2022

    An Ode to Aaron Ramsey

  • August 06, 2022

    Steffen Baumgart- The man behind FC Koln’s recent resurgence

  • August 06, 2022

    Gareth Bale's debut for LAFC

  • August 06, 2022

    Aaron Long: Red Bull’s New Centre Back

  • August 08, 2022

    MLS Match Report- Portland Timbers vs Nashville SC

  • August 08, 2022

    Thomas Tuchel's biggest bet on Raheem Sterling for Chelsea transformation

  • August 08, 2022

    Dutch League Match Report- Fortuna Sittard vs AFC Ajax

  • August 08, 2022

    Dutch League Match Report - PSV vs FC Emmen

  • August 08, 2022

    Ryan Gravenberch - How Ajax shaped him

  • August 09, 2022

    Calvin Bassey: Continuing the Nigerian dynasty at Ajax

  • August 09, 2022

    How will Cristiano Ronaldo’s exit impact Manchester United

  • August 09, 2022

    MLS Match Report- Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs Houston Dynamo

  • August 09, 2022

    Nathan Byrne heads to the MLS with Charlotte FC

  • August 09, 2022

    MLS Match Report: Charlotte FC vs Chicago Fire FC

  • August 10, 2022

    Dutch League Match Report- NEC vs FC Twente

  • August 10, 2022

    MLS Match Report- Real Salt Lake vs Los Angeles FC

  • August 10, 2022

    MLS Match Report- Sporting Kansas City vs LA Galaxy

  • August 10, 2022

    LA Galaxy sign FC Barcelona midfielder Riqui Puig

  • August 10, 2022

    From Haaland’s double score to Ten Hag’s debut defeat- Here’s all from the first week of Premier League

  • August 11, 2022

    Alex Telles ‘didn’t think twice’ before leaving Man United and joining Sevilla FC

  • August 11, 2022

    Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid join race for RB Salzburg’s Benjamin Sesko

  • August 11, 2022

    Top 5 clubs with most UEFA Super Cup Title

  • August 11, 2022

    Nottingham Forest’s promotion, Arsenal’s win, Aston Villa’s defeat- all from the first week of Premier League

  • August 11, 2022

    MLS Match Report- RD 25 - MLS All-Stars vs Liga MX All-Stars

  • August 11, 2022

    Carlos Vela: The journey from Arsenal to LAFC

  • August 12, 2022

    UEFA Super Cup Review- Real Madrid vs Frankfurt

  • August 12, 2022

    The making of one of MLS’ best strikers - Josef Martinez

  • August 12, 2022

    Is Marc Cucurella the versatile player Chelsea wanted?

  • August 12, 2022

    How will Denis Bouanga fit with the current LAFC squad?

  • August 12, 2022

    Why has Manchester United suddenly gone Dutch?

  • August 16, 2022

    How will Andreas Christensen fit with the current FCB squad

  • August 16, 2022

    MLS Match Report - Toronto FC vs Portland Timbers

  • August 16, 2022

    Sevilla fc winger Oussama Idrissi returns to dutch league for another season

  • August 16, 2022

    Daniil Medvedev records 250th win of career in Los Cabos

  • August 16, 2022

    Graham Potter – can the progressive head coach work his magic yet again?

  • August 16, 2022

    Things we learned from Wayne Rooney’s stunning D.C. United managing debut

  • August 16, 2022

    MLS Match Report - Los Angeles Galaxy vs Vancouver Whitecaps FC

  • August 17, 2022

    Manchester City, Arsenal, and Aston Villa win big in the second week of the Premier League

  • August 17, 2022

    MLS Match Report- Los Angeles FC vs Charlotte FC

  • August 17, 2022

    Manchester City’s new versatile sensation Sergio Gomez

  • August 17, 2022

    Strikers to look out for in the 2022-23 season of Premier League

  • August 17, 2022

    MLS Match Report - Nashville SC vs Minnesota United FC

  • August 17, 2022

    Steven Gerrard and Tyrone Mings bury the hatchet

  • August 17, 2022

    MLS Match Report- Austin FC vs Sporting Kansas City

  • August 18, 2022

    Dutch League Match report- Go Ahead Eagles vs PSV

  • August 18, 2022

    MLS Match Report- Seattle Sounders FC vs Real Salt Lake

  • August 18, 2022

    Dutch League Match Report- AFC Ajax vs FC Groningen

  • August 18, 2022

    Feyenoord sign San Jose Earthquakes’ left-back Marcos Lopez

  • August 18, 2022

    Five new signings in the Eredivisie to watch in 2022-23

  • August 18, 2022

    From Fulham’s win to Tuchel and Conte’s public feud- all the drama from the second week of Premier League 2022

  • August 18, 2022

    Grand Prix Badminton League 2022: Sharks & Bulls score thrilling wins, face-off with Wolves & Falcons confirmed

  • August 19, 2022

    MLS Match Report - FC Dallas vs Philadelphia Union

  • August 19, 2022

    FC Cincinnati acquire Matt Miazga from Chelsea

  • August 19, 2022

    Chelsea sign Inter starlet Cesare Casadei

  • August 22, 2022

    EPL Predictions- Top 3 clubs in standings for this season

  • August 22, 2022

    Real Salt Lake acquire Danny Musovski from LAFC

  • August 22, 2022

    How will Jorge Sanchez fit at Ajax?

  • August 22, 2022

    Jarrad Branthwaite: An underrated wunderkind wanted by every club

  • August 22, 2022

    Can Robert Lewandowski get Barcelona back on top?

  • August 22, 2022

    MLS Match Report: Seattle Sounders vs Real Salt Lake

  • August 22, 2022

    How is SL Benfica Academy so successful at producing and developing young talent

  • August 23, 2022

    Celtic under Ange Postecoglou

  • August 23, 2022

    Why Brandon Vázquez should be in the USMNT squad for the World Cup in Qatar this winter

  • August 23, 2022

    30 years of EPL: How the League changed

  • August 23, 2022

    Sebastian Driussi, the striker who lifted Austin FC to unthinkable heights

  • August 24, 2022

    MLS Match Report- Chicago Fire FC vs New York City FC

  • August 24, 2022

    Pozuelo and Inter Miami on The Precipice of Greatness

  • August 24, 2022

    Joao Cancelo’s emergence as one of the world’s best full-backs

  • August 25, 2022

    MLS Match Report - Los Angeles Galaxy vs Seattle Sounders FC

  • August 25, 2022

    Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City- big names that disappointed in the third week of the Premier League

  • August 25, 2022

    Spurs, Crystal Palace, and Fulham win big in the third week of the Premier League

  • August 25, 2022

    MLS Match Report – San Jose Earthquakes vs Los Angeles FC

  • August 26, 2022

    Alvaro Morata - The Spanish Conspiracy

  • August 26, 2022

    MLS Match Report – Nashville SC vs FC Dallas

  • August 26, 2022

    Dutch League Match report- RKC Waalwijk vs Feyenoord

  • August 26, 2022

    Antoine Griezmann: Underrated wunderkind yet to show his worth

  • August 26, 2022

    Dutch League Match report- Sparta Rotterdam vs Ajax

  • August 26, 2022

    Real Salt Lake breaking new ground with their purchase of 18-year-old USYNT playmaker Diego Luna

  • August 26, 2022

    How will Christian Benteke fit at DC United

  • August 26, 2022

    Luchi Gonzalez all groomed to bring World Cup-level standard to San Jose

  • August 27, 2022

    Top 3 managers in La Liga before 2010

  • August 27, 2022

    Will Casemiro save Man United’s chaotic season

  • August 27, 2022

    From Spurs to Everton: Dele Alli's fall from grace

  • August 27, 2022

    LAFC midfielder José Cifuentes: Transfer target for Premier League's Brighton

  • August 27, 2022

    How Pascal Jansen changed AZ Alkmaar

  • August 27, 2022

    Xavi Simons: Can the youngster live up to the hype?

  • August 27, 2022

    Thomas Frank - The Daring Dane

  • August 27, 2022

    Ibrahim Sangare: PSV’s Ivorian Midfield Powerhouse

  • August 29, 2022

    MLS Match Report - Orlando City SC vs New York City FC

  • August 29, 2022

    MLS Match Report - Portland Timbers vs Seattle Sounders FC

  • August 29, 2022

    MLS Match Report - Chicago Fire vs CF Montreal

  • August 29, 2022

    Dutch League Match Report- FC Utrecht vs AFC Ajax

  • August 29, 2022

    Haaland scores a hat-trick; Liverpool thrash Bournemouth 9-0: All from the fourth week of Premier League

  • August 30, 2022

    MLS Match Report- Austin FC vs Los Angeles FC

  • August 30, 2022

    Dutch League Match Report – Feyenoord vs FC Emmen

  • August 30, 2022

    MLS Match Report - Charlotte FC vs Toronto

  • August 30, 2022

    Dutch League Match Report- FC Volendam vs FC Twente

  • September 01, 2022

    Bruno Lage transforming Wolverhampton Wanderers FC

  • September 01, 2022

    Top 3 EPL Managers before 2010

  • September 01, 2022

    MLS Match Report – New England Revolution vs LA Galaxy

  • September 01, 2022

    How Toronto FC transformed their squad for the 2022 season

  • September 01, 2022

    MLS Match Report - FC Dallas vs Real Salt Lake

  • September 02, 2022

    Punk-Moxley set for a rematch to claim AEW World Championship: AEW Dynamite Recap

  • September 02, 2022

    Karthik Thulasi: An Indian Origin 24-year-old footballer in La Liga

  • September 02, 2022

    MLS Match Report- Austin FC vs Portland Timbers

  • September 02, 2022

    Chelsea, Crystal Palace, and Aston Villa fail to impress in the fourth week of the Premier League

  • September 02, 2022

    Dutch League Match Report- PSV vs FC Volendam

  • September 02, 2022

    Anthony Gordon: Merseyside’s latest boy wonder on the verge of a breakthrough

  • September 03, 2022

    Karim Benzema vs Robert Lewandowski: Who will rule the 2022/23 season

  • September 03, 2022

    LAFC signs former Barcelona and Real Betis forward Cristian Tello

  • September 03, 2022

    City Win Big, Liverpool Squeak Through And Arsenal Win Again In Match Week Five Of The Premier League

  • September 03, 2022

    Granit Xhaka - The Swiss Enigma who turned it around

  • September 03, 2022

    Jesus Ferreira-Alan Velasco-Paul Arriola: Best attacking trio in the MLS?

  • September 03, 2022

    MLS Match Report- Houston Dynamo vs LAFC

  • September 03, 2022

    MLS Match Report – Toronto FC vs LA Galaxy

  • September 03, 2022

    Wilfried Zaha: What makes this winger so special

  • September 03, 2022

    Renan Lodi at Nottingham Forest

  • September 05, 2022

    Can Brandon Vazquez be USMNT’s World Cup striker?

  • September 05, 2022

    DP Asia Cup 2022 Review- Pakistan vs Hong Kong: Pak wins big against Hong Kong

  • September 05, 2022

    Dutch League Match Report- AFC Ajax vs SC Cambuur

  • September 07, 2022

    Is Kayla Harrison the best fighter in Professional Fighters League?

  • September 07, 2022

    Dutch League Match Report: Go Ahead Eagles Vs Feyenoord

  • September 07, 2022

    Manchester United, Chelsea, and Brentford win in the sixth week of the Premier League

  • September 07, 2022

    MLS Match Report - Columbus Crew Vs Chicago Fire

  • September 07, 2022

    Dutch League Match Report- FC Emmen vs AZ Alkmaar

  • September 07, 2022

    Kenny Omega: The return of one of the greatest wrestlers on AEW

  • September 08, 2022

    Arsenal, Fulham, Leicester, and Southampton fail to impress in the sixth week of the Premier League

  • September 08, 2022

    MLS Match Report – LA Galaxy vs Sporting Kansas City

  • September 08, 2022

    MLS Match Report - New England Revolution vs New York City

  • September 09, 2022

    Enes Unal: Is the lethal striker the best talent from Turkey?

  • September 12, 2022

    MLS Match Report – New York City FC vs FC Cincinnati

  • September 12, 2022

    Mukhtar vs Driussi - Who is the ultimate MLS star?

  • September 12, 2022

    Luciano Acosta: The perfect No. 10 for FC Cincinnati

  • September 13, 2022

    MLS Match Report- Atlanta United vs Toronto FC

  • September 13, 2022

    Dutch League Match Report- AFC Ajax vs sc Heerenveen

  • September 13, 2022

    Dutch League Match Report- PSV Eindhoven vs RKC Waalwijk

  • September 13, 2022

    MLS Match Report- FC Dallas vs Los Angeles FC

  • September 14, 2022

    Dutch League Match Report- AZ Alkmaar vs FC Twente

  • September 14, 2022

    MLS Match Report- Chicago Fire FC vs Inter Miami CF

  • September 14, 2022

    MLS Match Report: Feyenoord vs Sparta Rotterdam

  • September 14, 2022

    MLS Match Report – Real Salt Lake vs DC United

  • September 14, 2022

    Carlos Alcaraz becomes the youngest US Open Champion after defeating Casper Ruud in the finale

  • September 15, 2022

    Ismael Kone: Canada’s next rising young star

  • September 15, 2022

    MLS Match Report- Minnesota United FC vs Los Angeles FC

  • September 15, 2022

    Sammy Guevara: AEW Mainstay

  • September 15, 2022

    Denis Bouanga: Will LAFC’s latest acquisition solidify the MLS Cup title for the team?

  • September 15, 2022

    Aaron Hickey: The Golden Boy Nominee Ready To Light Up The Premier League

  • September 16, 2022

    MLS Match Report- Houston Dynamo vs New England Revolution

  • September 16, 2022

    Late Birdies Deliver Japan’s Kazuki Higa Shinhan Donghae Open Title

  • September 16, 2022

    Why Chelsea snapped up Graham Potter

  • September 16, 2022

    MLS Match Report- Colorado Rapids vs San Jose Earthquakes

  • September 19, 2022

    Brennan Johnson: The next superstar striker with the potential to play for big clubs

  • September 19, 2022

    EPL Review: Haaland at it again, A sigh of relief for Gerrard, and Chaos at the City Ground

  • September 19, 2022

    Hany Mukhtar - The German making his name Stateside

  • September 20, 2022

    Dutch League Match Report- Vitesse vs FC Volendam

  • September 20, 2022

    MLS Match Report- Los Angeles FC vs Houston Dynamo

  • September 20, 2022

    Orange Cassidy: The King of Sloth Style

  • September 20, 2022

    Dutch League Match Report- PSV Eindhoven vs Feyenoord

  • September 20, 2022

    MLS match report- New York City FC Vs New York Red Bulls

Comments

Post a comment