Ranking the 7 best goals from Martinez's record-breaking season
Bruising headers, callous smashes, and sensational wallops.
Atlanta United artilleryman Josef Martinez has displayed his vast arsenal during the 2018 MLS campaign. So, after he set a new single-season record by scoring his 28th goal at rivals Orlando City on Friday, theScore decided to revel in his array of weaponry and rank Martinez's top seven strikes this term.
7. Movement vs. Montreal Impact
The Golden Boot leader is at it again 😏
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) July 28, 2018
Make that 23 for @JosefMartinez17 pic.twitter.com/OEx6MHYqLr
The Montreal Impact's defending is poor, but Martinez ducking out of the action after realizing he's offside, and then subsequently drifting to the back stick shows off his superb tactical intelligence.
6. Ruthless vs. FC Dallas
He just can't. Stop. Scoring. 😱@JosefMartinez17 with his second of the night to take the lead! pic.twitter.com/1aGiNPNY4k
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) July 5, 2018
Simple, but what a near-post lash from the Venezuelan.
5. Goal from 1950s England vs. D.C. United
¡Y con este 'Hat Trick', el venezolano @JosefMartinez17 hizo historia con @ATLUTD en la #MLS! 👀 pic.twitter.com/EbvUtSHXEq
— Fútbol MLS (@futbolMLS) July 21, 2018
The first goal of a treble against D.C. United harkened back to the heavy pitches, flung elbows, and muted celebrations of mid-20th-century football in England. D.C. United 'keeper David Ousted was flattened.
4. Why you're taught to head into the ground vs. NYCFC
Chasing that Golden Boot with that golden hair 😏@JosefMartinez17 with another @MLS Goal of the Week! pic.twitter.com/JEYIbmgpga
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) June 15, 2018
A textbook aerial assault got the better of New York City FC's Sean Johnson between the sticks, and was named Goal of the Week.
3. Slick passing move vs. Chicago Fire
Poetry 😍
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) May 6, 2018
Unbelievable passing and @JosefMartinez17 taps home the goal pic.twitter.com/bmB5WuOi5c
Gerardo "Tata" Martino would've been especially pleased with this combination. Showcasing soccer borrowed from the Barcelona playbook, Atlanta dizzies Chicago before Martinez completes the formality of finding the onion bag.
2. Leveling the single-season goal record vs. Columbus Crew
Historic. Unstoppable. 😡
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) August 19, 2018
Number 27 for @JosefMartinez17 pic.twitter.com/qavyz5anZk
He drew level with Roy Lassiter, Chris Wondolowski, and Bradley Wright-Phillips in style. A smooth change of direction sent Jonathan Mensah for a hot dog before Martinez rifled a shot past Zack Steffen, one of the best goalkeepers in Major League Soccer.
1. Delicious dink to break record vs. Orlando City
Ch 2 traveled to Orlando to witness history! @ATLUTD Josef Martinez scores his 28th goal and sets record for most goals in any single season in MLS history - still 8-more games to play pic.twitter.com/Fx5vpkFBzm
— Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) August 25, 2018
Martinez proved what a crowd pleaser he is when he saved his best goal of the season for the one that broke the record against Orlando City on Friday. It was a perfect snapshot of his industry, composure, and beautiful technique.
Bonus: Former Torino player scores vs. Juventus
No matter the opponent 😡@JosefMartinez17 will scores goals. pic.twitter.com/zsgwNKxBKQ
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) August 2, 2018
Martinez never scored in a Turin derby during three miserable years with the Toro, so it must have been sweet for him to restore parity in this month's All-Star game against Juventus. The goal was a credit to his perseverance and bravery.
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