Josef Martínez

Josef Alexander Martínez Mencia (born 19 May 1993) is a Venezuelan professional footballer who plays as a striker for American club Atlanta United FC, and the Venezuela national team.

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Martínez and the second or maternal family name is Mencia.

Josef Martínez
Martínez with Atlanta United in 2017
Personal information
Full name Josef Alexander Martínez Mencia
Date of birth (1993-05-19) 19 May 1993
Place of birth Valencia, Carabobo, Venezuela
Height 1.72 m (5 ft 7 1⁄2 in)
Position(s) Striker
Club information
Current team
 Atlanta United
Number 7
Youth career
0000–2010 Caracas
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010–2012 Caracas 36 (8)
2012–2014 Young Boys 37 (4)
2013–2014 → Thun (loan) 18 (8)
2014–2017 Torino 58 (7)
2017 → Atlanta United (loan) 3 (5)
2017– Atlanta United 81 (72)
National team‡
2011–2013 Venezuela U20 4 (2)
2011–2019 Venezuela 54 (12)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 04:29, 1 March 2020 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 23:08, 28 June 2019 (UTC)

Josef Martínez began his career with Caracas. In 2012, he was acquired by the Swiss Super League club Young Boys before spending a year on loan at Thun. In 2014, he was sold to Italian club Torino, and in 2017, Major League Soccer expansion side, Atlanta United FC. He holds the MLS record for career hat-tricks with six in his first 44 games, the record for cumulative goals in regular and post season with 35, the record for most consecutive games with a goal (15), and formerly held the record for goals in a single season (31 in 2018).

In 2018, Martínez became the most decorated single-season player in MLS history by winning the League MVP, All-Star Game MVP, Golden Boot, and MLS Cup Final MVP.

He is a former Venezuela under-20 international. In 2011, he made his debut for the senior Venezuela national team against El Salvador, and has since represented his nation at three editions of the Copa América.

Club career

Caracas

Martínez made his debut for Caracas FC on 21 August 2010 against Estudiantes de Mérida, entering as a substitute in the 70th minute, won 1–0. He scored his first goal in a 2–2 draw against Deportivo Petare on 21 November 2010.[1]

Young Boys

On 3 January 2012, Caracas announced Martínez had been sold to BSC Young Boys of the Swiss Super League for a period of four years along with fellow right-back Alexander Gonzalez. He debuted on 5 February 2012 against Servette FC, which the Young Boys won 3–1. After a string of good performances, Martínez was called up to the Venezuela national team, as well as awarded his first start for Young Boys on 21 October 2012, in which he scored his first goal for the Swiss club with a volley in the 50th minute against Grasshopper Club Zürich.

Loan to FC Thun

After one season in the Swiss capital city, he was sent on loan to Thun. After scoring 8 goals in 18 games with the team from Bernese Oberland, he was momentarily the top scorer in the Swiss Super League and recalled by Young Boys.[2]

Torino

On 7 June 2014, Martínez was sold to Italian Serie A club Torino for a reported fee of €3 million.[3][4] He made his debut in a 0–3 away win against Sweden's Brommapojkarna in the third round of the 2014–15 Europa League.[5] He scored his first goal for the Granata in the return leg, won 4–0 in Turin (7–0 on agg.).[6]

He made his league debut on 14 September in a 2–0 loss away to Sampdoria.[7] On 7 December, he scored his first goal in Serie A during a 2–2 draw with Palermo.[8] Four days later, he scored his first brace in the Europa League against Copenhagen, which ended 1–5 in favour of Torino.[9]

On 30 April 2016, he scored his first brace in Serie A, as Torino won 1–5 away to Udinese.[10]

Atlanta United
Josef Martínez playing for Atlanta United on September 24, 2017 against the Montreal Impact

On 2 February 2017, Martínez was loaned with a buying option to Major League Soccer expansion team Atlanta United.[11][12] He made his league debut on 5 March in a 1–2 home defeat against New York Red Bulls.[13] He scored his first career hat-trick, and the first hat-trick in the history of the club, in a 6–1 win at Minnesota United the following week.[14]

On 21 March, Atlanta announced they had activated the buyout clause for an undisclosed transfer fee.[15] He was named the MLS Player of the Month for March after scoring five goals in his first three games in the league.[16]

On 23 March, while playing for the Venezuelan national team against Peru, Martínez injured his left quadricep.[17] After more than two months of recuperation, he returned to action only to be injured again over the summer. Upon his return from the second injury, he scored hat tricks in two consecutive games against the New England Revolution and Orlando City, and was named the MLS Player of the Month for September 2017.[18] Atlanta United finished in a tie for third in the Eastern Conference, but were eliminated in the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs by Columbus Crew. Despite only making 20 appearances (all competitions) due to injury, Martínez finished his first year in Atlanta fourth in the league in scoring, with 20 goals in all competitions, and was named to the MLS Best XI for the 2017 season.[19]

2018 season

On 2 June 2018, Martínez converted a late penalty kick against Philadelphia Union to notch his fifth MLS hat-trick, tying the league record for hat-tricks and doing so faster than any other player in league history.[20] He broke the record for hat-tricks on 21 July 2018 against DC United, after only 44 games.

He was voted the MLS Player of the Month for July after scoring nine goals and adding one assist to lead the Five Stripes to a 3–1–1 record.[21]

He scored the only goal for the MLS All-Stars in the 2018 MLS All-Star Game against Juventus, a 1–1 draw, and was named MVP.[22][23]

On 24 August 2018, he scored his 28th goal of the season, a game winner in Orlando City, to break the league single-season record of 27, held by Roy Lassiter, Chris Wondolowski, and Bradley Wright-Phillips. After failing to capitalize on numerous opportunities, Martínez utilized his quick footwork to cut back against the defender and then chip Joe Bendik to set the record in just his 26th match. He was named MLS Player of the Month for August 2018.[24]

2019 season

On 6 August 2019, Martínez was awarded the MLS Player of the Month for July.[25] He earned the award having scored in nine straight matches, tying his own MLS record set the previous season, which was also shared with Diego Valeri.[25]

On 23 August, he set a new MLS record by scoring a goal in 12 consecutive games.[26] The goal helped his side to a 1–0 win over rivals Orlando and was his 15th strike during the streak.[27] On 18 September, Martínez extended his goal-scoring record to 15 consecutive games, which is the third longest streak in world football after Lionel Messi (33 goals in 21 games) and Tor Henning Hamre (21 goals in 15 games).[28]

2020 season

On February 29, 2020, in Atlanta United’s first game of the 2020 season, Martínez suffered a torn ACL against MLS debutant Nashville SC. Martínez is set to miss the entirety of the 2020 season.[29]

International career
Martínez playing for Venezuela in 2019.

Martínez made his international debut on 7 August 2011 against El Salvador as a substitute in the 76th minute.[1]

On 10 November 2016 (matchday 11 of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification), Martínez scored a hat-trick against Bolivia in a 5–0 win in Maturín.

Style of play

Primarily a forward, Martínez is a diminutive yet aggressive and powerful player, who usually plays in a central role as a main striker, but who is also capable of playing as a winger. His pace, dribbling ability, eye for goal, and his accurate finishing ability with either foot, as well as his head, combined with his ability to make attacking runs off the ball from behind and get into good positions, make him a dangerous attacking threat in the penalty area.[30][31][32][33][34]

Career statistics

Club
As of 29 February 2020[1][30]
Club Season League Domestic Cup League Cup[lower-alpha 1] Continental[lower-alpha 2] Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Caracas 2010–11 Venezuelan Primera División 214——71285
2011–12 154——00154
Total 368——71439
Young Boys 2011–12 Swiss Super League 11000——110
2012–13 8110——91
2013–14 18300——183
Total 37410——384
FC Thun 2013–14 Swiss Super League 18831—1113213
Total 18831—1113210
Torino 2014–15 Serie A 26311—133407
2015–16 21321——236
2016–17 11111——125
Total 58743—1337513
Atlanta United 2017 Major League Soccer 20191110—2220
2018 34310054—3935
2019 29272131543933
2020 10——2232
Total 847732957610390
Career totals 233104116953811291133
  1. Includes: MLS Cup Playoffs
  2. Includes: Copa Libertadores, UEFA Europa League, CONCACAF Champions League, Campeones Cup

International
As of match played 28 June 2019[35]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Venezuela 201130
201230
201362
201430
201572
2016156
201750
201830
201962
Total5112

International goals
As of match played 22 June 2019. Venezuela score listed first, score column indicates score after each Martínez goal.[35]
International goals by date, venue, cap, opponent, score, result and competition
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition
1 22 May 2013Estadio José Pachencho Romero, Maracaibo, Venezuela7 El Salvador2–12–1Friendly
2 14 August 20139 Bolivia1–02–2
3 31 March 2015Lockhart Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, United States17 Peru1–01–0
4 17 November 2015Estadio Cachamay, Ciudad Guayana, Venezuela22 Ecuador1–31–32018 FIFA World Cup qualification
- 20 May 2016Estadio Municipal de Riazor, A Coruña, Galiza24 Galicia1–11–1Friendly
5 5 June 2016Soldier Field, Chicago, United States28 Jamaica1–01–0Copa América Centenario
6 6 September 2016Estadio Metropolitano de Mérida, Mérida, Venezuela33 Argentina2–02–22018 FIFA World Cup qualification
7 10 November 2016Estadio Monumental de Maturín, Maturín, Venezuela36 Bolivia2–05–0
8 3–0
9 4–0
10 22 March 2019Wanda Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain46 Argentina3–13–1Friendly
11 22 June 2019Estádio Mineirão, Belo Horizonte, Brazil50 Bolivia3–13–12019 Copa América

Honours

Club
Atlanta United

Individual

References
  1. "Venezuela - J. Martínez - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway". Uk.soccerway.com. Retrieved 24 May 2012.
  2. Armero, Andrés (16 December 2013). "El venezolano Josef Martínez regresa al BSC Young Boys". MARCA (in Spanish). Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  3. "Martinez al Toro". Torino F.C. (in Italian). 7 June 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
  4. "UFFICIALE: Torino, acquistato Josef Martinez. Contratto quadriennale - TUTTOmercatoWEB.com".
  5. "BROMMAPOJKARNA VS. TORINO 0 - 3". soccerway.com. Retrieved 2 August 2014.
  6. "TORINO VS. BROMMAPOJKARNA 4 - 0". soccerway.com. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
  7. "Sampdoria vs. Torino - 14 September 2014 - Soccerway". au.soccerway.com.
  8. "Torino vs. Palermo - 6 December 2014 - Soccerway". au.soccerway.com.
  9. "København vs. Torino - 11 December 2014 - Soccerway". au.soccerway.com.
  10. "Udinese vs. Torino - 30 April 2016 - Soccerway". au.soccerway.com.
  11. "Martinez all'Atlanta". Torino F.C. (in Italian). 2 February 2017. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  12. "Atlanta United Acquire Josef Martinez as Designated Player". Atlanta United. 2 February 2017. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  13. "Atlanta United vs. New York RB - 6 March 2017 - Soccerway". au.soccerway.com.
  14. "Minnesota United vs. Atlanta United - 12 March 2017 - Soccerway". au.soccerway.com.
  15. "Atlanta United finalize permanent transfer of Josef Martínez". Atlanta United. 21 March 2017. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  16. Stejskal, Sam (5 April 2017). "Atlanta United FC's Josef Martinez named MLS Player of the Month for March". Major League Soccer. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  17. McCartney, Cory (28 March 2017). "With Josef Martínez out 4-6 weeks, how will Atlanta United replace him?". Fox Sports South. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  18. Stejskal, Sam (5 October 2017). "Josef Martinez runs away with September honor | Alcatel Player of the Month". Major League Soccer. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  19. "2017 MLS Best XI revealed: Who was the best in 2017?". Major League Soccer. 30 November 2017. Retrieved 30 November 2017.
  20. Roberson, Doug (2 June 2018). "Martinez ties MLS mark in leading Atlanta United to win". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  21. Boehm, Charles (3 August 2018). "ATL's Josef Martinez wins July MLS Player of the Month pres. by EA Sports". Major League Soccer. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  22. "2018 MLS All-Star Roster". Major League Soccer. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  23. Couch, Ben (1 August 2018). "Josef Martinez named 2018 MLS All-Star Game MVP". Major League Soccer. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
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  26. "Josef Martinez scores in 12th consecutive game to break MLS record". Sporting News. 23 August 2019. Retrieved 13 August 2019.
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  28. "Josef Martinez approaching world record for league scoring streak". MLS. 14 September 2019. Retrieved 15 September 2019.
  29. Doug Roberson, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "Atlanta United's Josef Martinez has torn ACL". ajc. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  30. "Josef Martinez". Major League Soccer. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  31. Vickery, Tim (30 September 2019). "Martinez Refuses To Play For Venezuela". World Soccer. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
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  33. York, Jason (11 October 2019). "Josef Martinez "different" from other elite strikers across MLS history, says Arena". www.mlssoccer.com. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
  34. Straus, Brian (25 August 2018). "Josef Martinez in a Class of His Own After Breaking MLS Scoring Record". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
  35. "Martínez, Josef". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmerman. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  36. "Atlanta United wins U.S. Open Cup". Atlanta Journal Constitution. 27 August 2019. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
  37. "Atlanta beats Club America to lift Campeones Cup". ESPNFC. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
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