Inter Miami found a worthy replacement for star striker Gonzalo Higuain, who decided to retire at the end of the 2022 MLS season. The team announced on Wednesday that they had signed former MLS MVP Josef Martinez, who will join the organization on a free transfer.

The move came after Atlanta United decided to use their option to buyout Martinez’s contract and make him a free agent. The 29-year-old player was previously under contract with the franchise through 2023.

“Josef is a champion and adding him to our group is exciting for us as we head into the 2023 season,” said Inter’ sporting director Chris Henderson in a statement. “He’s been one of the best players in the league since he first arrived, and we believe he’ll make a difference here at Inter Miami.”

Josef Martinez is an Atlanta United legend and one of the most accomplished players in MLS history. He had his best season in 2018 when he scored 31 goals in 34 MLS matches and won MLS MVP, MLS Golden Boot, MLS Best XI, and MLS All-Star honors.

Martinez went on a scoring spree the next season as well, finishing the campaign with 27 goals, before tearing his ACL in the first game of the 2020 season. The Venezuelan returned to action after a year but was never the same player again. He only started 12 games this past season, scoring nine goals.

The post Inter Miami Signs Ex-MLS MVP Josef Martinez appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Atlanta United announced on Sunday that their star forward Josef Martinez suffered a torn ACL in his right knee. This will most likely rule out Martinez for the remainder of 2020.

Martinez suffered the injury in Atlanta’s first match of the new MLS season against Nashville SC. The 26-year-old Venezuelan was injured in the 63rd minute of the contest when he attempted to make a challenge on Nashville’s defender Dave Romney.

According to Atlanta’s statement, the date for Martinez’s surgery will be determined at a later date.

Josef Martinez was one of the best players in the league since joining Atlanta United in 2017. After scoring 19 goals in just 20 games in his first year in MLS, Martinez broke the record for most goals by netting 31 goals in 34 games in 2018. He followed that up with helping Atlanta win MLS Cup in the same season.

Martinez had a monster year in 2019 as well, scoring 27 goals in 29 games en route to being selected to his third straight MLS Best XI and second consecutive MLS All-Star appearance.

The post Atlanta United’s Star Forward Josef Martinez Suffers a Torn ACL appeared first on SportzBonanza.

We finally found out who is the recipient of the MLS’ most prestigious individual award. The league announced on Wednesday that Atlanta United’s striker Josef Martinez is the Major League Soccer’s Most Valuable Player for the 2018 season.

Prior to this award, Martinez won the Golden Boot, after scoring 31 goals in 34 games and breaking the league’s record.

An #MLSMVP & his trophy. pic.twitter.com/ybxMcZ2xEu

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) December 5, 2018

“I’m very happy because this is an award we all wanted,” – said Martinez. “It is due to a lot of work by myself, my teammates, my coaching staff and my family. I just want to thank all those people.“

“If it wasn’t for all [my teammates], all the passes they assisted me on this season, the spectacular year that all of them had, we wouldn’t be talking about this award or talking about Atlanta United playing in the final.” – the 25-year-old added.

Josef Martinez’s teammate from Atlanta Miguel Almiron came in second in MVP voting, while LA Galaxy’s striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic finished third. D.C. United’s Wayne Rooney and LAFC’s Carlos Vela round up the top five.

After claiming this individual achievement, Martinez is now looking to win more trophies in 2018. He helped Atlanta United to clinch Eastern Conference title with three goals in the playoffs and awaits MLS Cup final match against the Portland Timbers to continue his hot streak.

“We want to be champions,” – he said. “We’ve been working two seasons for this opportunity. We don’t want to let it slip away.“

The post Atlanta’s Striker Josef Martinez is the 2018 Major League Soccer MVP appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Atlanta United’s striker Josef Martinez continues to terrorize the MLS defenses. Martinez scored his 27th goal this season in 3-1 win against Columbus Crew on Sunday and tied the MLS record for goals scored in a single season. Other players that have scored 27 goals in one year in the league are Roy Lassiter in 1996, Chris Wondolowski in 2012 and Bradley Wright-Phillips in 2014.

“When I get to 28 I’ll have something.” – said Martinez after the game.

“I mean, I tied it, but what I really want is to break it,” – he added. “So once I break it, I’ll be even more happy.“

Martinez will have a chance to break the record on Friday when United visits Orlando City.
Josef Martinez is already the most prolific scorer in the Major League Soccer history. The goal against Columbus was Martinez’s 46th in 45 regular-season MLS games, and he is now recorder when it comes to the number of goals scored in first two seasons in the league. This honor belonged to NYFC’s David Villa prior to this. Also, the 25-year-old holds MLS record for career hat-tricks, scoring six in his first 44 games.

Martinez received numerous congratulations from all around the league including his coach Tata Martino.

“First, I offer my congratulations to Josef because it’s a very important achievement for him, especially being only his second year in the league,” – said Martino. “I think it’s like a weight off of his shoulders, now that he’s tied the record everything that comes after this is extra.”

Josef Martinez started his career in his native Venezuela, playing for Caracas. In 2012 he secured a transfer to Swiss side Young Boys but didn’t have an overly successful season. After being loaned out to another Swiss club, Thun, Martinez was sold to Italy where he played for Torino. He struggled once again and opted to come to the United States, which turned out to be a great decision.

The post Atlanta United’s Josef Martinez Ties MLS Record for Goals in One Season appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Inter Miami found a worthy replacement for star striker Gonzalo Higuain, who decided to retire at the end of the 2022 MLS season. The team announced on Wednesday that they had signed former MLS MVP Josef Martinez, who will join the organization on a free transfer.

The move came after Atlanta United decided to use their option to buyout Martinez’s contract and make him a free agent. The 29-year-old player was previously under contract with the franchise through 2023.

“Josef is a champion and adding him to our group is exciting for us as we head into the 2023 season,” said Inter’ sporting director Chris Henderson in a statement. “He’s been one of the best players in the league since he first arrived, and we believe he’ll make a difference here at Inter Miami.”

Josef Martinez is an Atlanta United legend and one of the most accomplished players in MLS history. He had his best season in 2018 when he scored 31 goals in 34 MLS matches and won MLS MVP, MLS Golden Boot, MLS Best XI, and MLS All-Star honors.

Martinez went on a scoring spree the next season as well, finishing the campaign with 27 goals, before tearing his ACL in the first game of the 2020 season. The Venezuelan returned to action after a year but was never the same player again. He only started 12 games this past season, scoring nine goals.

The post Inter Miami Signs Ex-MLS MVP Josef Martinez appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Atlanta United announced on Sunday that their star forward Josef Martinez suffered a torn ACL in his right knee. This will most likely rule out Martinez for the remainder of 2020.

Martinez suffered the injury in Atlanta’s first match of the new MLS season against Nashville SC. The 26-year-old Venezuelan was injured in the 63rd minute of the contest when he attempted to make a challenge on Nashville’s defender Dave Romney.

According to Atlanta’s statement, the date for Martinez’s surgery will be determined at a later date.

Josef Martinez was one of the best players in the league since joining Atlanta United in 2017. After scoring 19 goals in just 20 games in his first year in MLS, Martinez broke the record for most goals by netting 31 goals in 34 games in 2018. He followed that up with helping Atlanta win MLS Cup in the same season.

Martinez had a monster year in 2019 as well, scoring 27 goals in 29 games en route to being selected to his third straight MLS Best XI and second consecutive MLS All-Star appearance.

The post Atlanta United’s Star Forward Josef Martinez Suffers a Torn ACL appeared first on SportzBonanza.

We finally found out who is the recipient of the MLS’ most prestigious individual award. The league announced on Wednesday that Atlanta United’s striker Josef Martinez is the Major League Soccer’s Most Valuable Player for the 2018 season.

Prior to this award, Martinez won the Golden Boot, after scoring 31 goals in 34 games and breaking the league’s record.

An #MLSMVP & his trophy. pic.twitter.com/ybxMcZ2xEu

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) December 5, 2018

“I’m very happy because this is an award we all wanted,” – said Martinez. “It is due to a lot of work by myself, my teammates, my coaching staff and my family. I just want to thank all those people.“

“If it wasn’t for all [my teammates], all the passes they assisted me on this season, the spectacular year that all of them had, we wouldn’t be talking about this award or talking about Atlanta United playing in the final.” – the 25-year-old added.

Josef Martinez’s teammate from Atlanta Miguel Almiron came in second in MVP voting, while LA Galaxy’s striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic finished third. D.C. United’s Wayne Rooney and LAFC’s Carlos Vela round up the top five.

After claiming this individual achievement, Martinez is now looking to win more trophies in 2018. He helped Atlanta United to clinch Eastern Conference title with three goals in the playoffs and awaits MLS Cup final match against the Portland Timbers to continue his hot streak.

“We want to be champions,” – he said. “We’ve been working two seasons for this opportunity. We don’t want to let it slip away.“

The post Atlanta’s Striker Josef Martinez is the 2018 Major League Soccer MVP appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Atlanta United’s striker Josef Martinez continues to terrorize the MLS defenses. Martinez scored his 27th goal this season in 3-1 win against Columbus Crew on Sunday and tied the MLS record for goals scored in a single season. Other players that have scored 27 goals in one year in the league are Roy Lassiter in 1996, Chris Wondolowski in 2012 and Bradley Wright-Phillips in 2014.

“When I get to 28 I’ll have something.” – said Martinez after the game.

“I mean, I tied it, but what I really want is to break it,” – he added. “So once I break it, I’ll be even more happy.“

Martinez will have a chance to break the record on Friday when United visits Orlando City.
Josef Martinez is already the most prolific scorer in the Major League Soccer history. The goal against Columbus was Martinez’s 46th in 45 regular-season MLS games, and he is now recorder when it comes to the number of goals scored in first two seasons in the league. This honor belonged to NYFC’s David Villa prior to this. Also, the 25-year-old holds MLS record for career hat-tricks, scoring six in his first 44 games.

Martinez received numerous congratulations from all around the league including his coach Tata Martino.

“First, I offer my congratulations to Josef because it’s a very important achievement for him, especially being only his second year in the league,” – said Martino. “I think it’s like a weight off of his shoulders, now that he’s tied the record everything that comes after this is extra.”

Josef Martinez started his career in his native Venezuela, playing for Caracas. In 2012 he secured a transfer to Swiss side Young Boys but didn’t have an overly successful season. After being loaned out to another Swiss club, Thun, Martinez was sold to Italy where he played for Torino. He struggled once again and opted to come to the United States, which turned out to be a great decision.

The post Atlanta United’s Josef Martinez Ties MLS Record for Goals in One Season appeared first on SportzBonanza.