In the least surprising news of the year, Atlanta United’s Josef Martinez has been named the 2018 MLS MVP (a.k.a. Landon Donovan MVP Award). The Venezuelan Viper becomes the first player for the club to earn the award thanks to his truly historic and record-shattering season.
Martinez’s 31-goal season was enough to demolish the old single-season record of 27. His marksmanship in front of goal was the catalyst for Atlanta United’s second-best record in the league and has continued to carry them in the playoffs, all the way to their first MLS Cup. With his three goals in the playoffs so far, he’s broken Roy Lassiter’s record for most combined (regular and postseason) goals in a season.
Through his first two seasons for Atlanta, he’s managed an astonishing 50 goals in just 54 regular season appearances.
MLS’s new goal king gets his deserved crown. He’ll add this to the Golden Boot he’s already collected. There’s only one major trophy left for him to capture. He’ll be looking to complete the triple crown on December 8.