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. Martinez was also named Player of the Month for July.
The 25-year-old Venezuelan continues to lead the MLS Golden Boot race with 28 goals through 27 matches, including a league best nine game-winning goals. On August 24, Martinez set the MLS single-season goals record previously held by Roy Lassiter, Chris Wondolowski and Bradley Wright-Phillips when he scored the game-winning goal in Atlanta’s 2-1 victory over Orlando City SC (Watch Goal).
During August, Martinez scored four goals and added one assist over three matches. He 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 53rd minute (Watch Goal) before giving his team a 2-1 advantage with a diving header in the 67th minute (Watch Goal).
Two weeks later, Martinez 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 31st minute to tie the MLS single-season goal record (Watch Goal). Atlanta then took a 3-1 lead in the 82nd minute when Martinez assisted Miguel Almirón’s long-distance strike (Watch Assist).
The Venezuelan national team star 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 74th 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.
Martinez has been named MLS Player of the Week four times this season. This is his second Player of the Month award for 2018 after he was the only player to be selected twice in 2017.
Atlanta United sits in second place in the Supporters’ Shield standings with 54 points (16-5-6) and returns to action Saturday, September 15 at 3:30 p.m. EST vs. Colorado Rapids. The match from Dick’s Sporting Goods Park will be nationally televised on UniMás.
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.
