After scoring four goals and an assist in four games, breaking the MLS single-season scoring record and keeping Atlanta United at the front of the Supporters’ Shield race, Josef Martinez was voted the MLS Player of the Month presented by EA SPORTS™ by members of the media for the month of August.
Martinez opened the month by bagging a brace in a 2-2 draw with Toronto FC, then notched a goal and an assist in a 3-1 win over Columbus Crew SC. He made history in a 2-1 Heineken Rivalry Week victory over ATLUTD’s Southern antagonists Orlando City on Aug. 24, netting the game-winner for his 28th goal of the year to pass the mark of 27 jointly held by Roy Lassiter (1996), Chris Wondolowski (2012) and Bradley Wright-Phillips (2014). He has seven more regular-season games in which to add to his total.
The 25-year-old Venezuelan continues to average more than a goal a game over his first 27 league matches of 2018, and in August extended his scoring streak of goals in nine consecutive games, a run finally snapped by D.C. United in their 3-1 win over Atlanta on Sunday.
The Five Stripes are currently one point back of the New York Red Bulls atop both the Eastern Conference and Supporters’ Shield standings, though they hold a game in hand on RBNY and are averaging a league-high 2.0 points per game.
ATLUTD are idle during the current international window, and return to action on Saturday, Sept. 15 with a visit to the Colorado Rapids (3:30 pm ET | UniMás, Twitter – full TV and streaming info).
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.
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