Josef Martinez not available for Atlanta United against Orlando City

Tata Martino delivered the bad news on Thursday that Josef Martinez will not be able to play against Orlando City on Saturday. After missing out on the two team’s first-ever meeting the week before with what the team described as a “foot contusion,” Atlanta United’s joint leading scorer will once again be unable to play.

It’s been a very up and down season for the Venezuelan. When he’s been able to play, he’s been one of the most dangerous players in all of MLS, scoring nine goals in just nine league appearances. However, after a nearly three-month spell on the sidelines with a quad injury, he’s sustained another smaller injury that forcing him to miss more time.

While it’s still relatively early in the season, this is a worrying trend for arguably Atlanta’s most important player. Josef makes Tata Martino’s attack tick and when he’s not in the lineup, things seems to be moving just a bit slower and the team overall just seems less dangerous.