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Update 3/1: Atlanta United have confirmed that Josef Martinez suffered a torn ACL in the win against Nashville. The injury will require surgery and keep him out of action for the majority, if not all of the 2020 season.
Josef Martinez suffers torn ACL.https://t.co/NG6t6hgE0R
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) March 1, 2020
Atlanta United’s opening night 2-1 win over Nashville SC has been clouded by the worrisome departure of Josef Martinez late in the match. The former MLS MVP was carted off the field about 20 minutes from full-time with what appeared to be a knee injury.
Josef initially went down after a tussle with a Nashville defender, but returned to play for a few minutes before collapsing on the field in anguish and asking for a substitution. After the match, it was said that the Venezuelan would need to be evaluated at a hospital at a later date to determine the severity. He reportedly supported an air cast on his leg and needed the assistance of a cart while leaving the stadium.
Josef Martinez wincing as he uses a crutch to walk out of the #ATLUTD locker room with an air cast on his right leg. pic.twitter.com/6TfDwAhJSo
— Kelly Price (@thekellyprice) March 1, 2020
Manager Frank de Boer told the media after the match that the injury didn’t look very good but nothing was certain until he could be properly evaluated by doctors. He did confirm that it appeared to be a injury to the striker’s knee.
Frank de Boer on Josef Martinez:
— Felipe Cárdenas (@FelipeCar) March 1, 2020
“Doesn’t look really well right now.” He mentioned they need to review “the damage to his knee.”
Said he’ll wait for medical report. #ATLUTD
It goes without saying that whatever time Josef were to miss would affect the team greatly. We’ll update his status as soon as news comes out.