Josef Martinez wins MLS Goal of the Week

UPDATE: You guys did it again. Josef takes home the award. It’s Atlanta’s second one in a row.

Josef Martinez’s header to put Atlanta up 4-1 against Vancouver Whitecaps has been nominated for MLS Goal of the Week. Martinez capped off a great day for the Five Stripes, and his fourth MLS hat trick, with this excellent header in the 88th minute.

It’s hard to tell what’s more impressive about this goal, how well placed the pass was from Andrew Carleton or how Martinez was able to head it in from an awkward spot versus a taller Vancouver defender.

Martinez continues his dominance in MLS by completing his fourth hat trick in just 23 games, just one shy of the MLS record of five. After coming off a season, somewhat hampered by injuries, where he broke the MLS record of goals per 90 minutes at 1.12, it doesn’t look like he’s slowing down. In three games he already has four goals and doesn’t look to be facing any sort of regression from his 19 goal season.

Now it’s time for you all to do what you all do best, go vote! You can vote through Major League Soccer’s website here. At the time I’m writing this, Martinez has a large lead with Graham Zusi’s distance goal being the only other one over 20%.