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Atlanta United: 5 things learned in dominate win over Columbus

By Josh Bouland

BRONX, NY - JUNE 09: Head Coach Gerardo "u201cTata"u201d Martino gives instructions to his team during the match between New York City FC and Atlanta United FC at Yankee Stadium on June 09, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York. The match ended in a tie score of 1 to 1. (Photo by Ira L. Black/Corbis via Getty Images)
BRONX, NY - JUNE 09: Head Coach Gerardo "u201cTata"u201d Martino gives instructions to his team during the match between New York City FC and Atlanta United FC at Yankee Stadium on June 09, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York. The match ended in a tie score of 1 to 1. (Photo by Ira L. Black/Corbis via Getty Images) /
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FOXBOROUGH, MA – MAY 30: Atlanta United FC forward Josef Martinez (7) passes during a match between the New England Revolution and Atlanta United FC on May 30, 2018, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The Revolution and Atlanta played to a 1-1 draw. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA – MAY 30: Atlanta United FC forward Josef Martinez (7) passes during a match between the New England Revolution and Atlanta United FC on May 30, 2018, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The Revolution and Atlanta played to a 1-1 draw. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

4. Josef Martinez continues to score

Martinez is scoring at a blistering rate. He is the leader in the MLS Golden Boot race by four goals and is in the midst of a four match scoring streak. Martinez has six goals in that span, and seven goals in six matches. In fact, the Venezuelan has yet to go consecutive matches without a goal scored.

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Martinez is a goal scoring machine, but the knock on his play is that a significant portion of his goals are from penalty kicks. His most recent, record-tying hat trick included two penalty kicks converted. As the criticism grew louder, he followed that hat trick up with two headers, including this MLS Goal of the Week.

Martinez is adept at scoring goals, whether by his feet, his head, or from the spot. His 33 goals in 36 appearances is other-worldy, but his constant improvement might be even more impressive. Last year, in 20 appearances, Martinez scored 19 goals. Sixteen of those goals came at home, meaning only three came on the road. This year is different so far. Of Martinez’s 14 goals, eight are at home and six are on the road. He is becoming a consistent and adaptable and player and is running away with the Golden Boot in the process.

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