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Atlanta United Vs Toronto FC: 3 things we learned – A lot to overcome

By Josh Bouland

ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 01: Atlanta United owner Arthur Blank participates in pregame ceremonies prior to the 2018 MLS All-Star Game between the MLS All-Stars and Juventus at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 1, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 01: Atlanta United owner Arthur Blank participates in pregame ceremonies prior to the 2018 MLS All-Star Game between the MLS All-Stars and Juventus at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 1, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA AUGUST 04: Atlanta’s Josef Martinez (7) waits out an injury timeout during the match between Atlanta United and Toronto FC on August 4th, 2018 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. Atlanta United FC and Toronto FC played to a 2 2 draw. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA AUGUST 04: Atlanta’s Josef Martinez (7) waits out an injury timeout during the match between Atlanta United and Toronto FC on August 4th, 2018 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. Atlanta United FC and Toronto FC played to a 2 2 draw. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. Martinez is on fire (still)

Josef Martinez just can’t stop scoring goals. In the last seven games, Martinez has scored 12 goals. There are only three players in the league not named Josef Martinez that have scored more than 12 goals throughout this entire season. The Venezuelan international is getting the attention of the league and its players and staff.

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Toronto was not shy about saying they had a game plan to restrict Martinez. It worked in the first half. The second half was a different story. Thanks to some wonderful passing by Atlanta, Martinez got service inside the 18-yard box and made a move on goal before being brought down by goalkeeper Alex Bono and winning a penalty kick. Martinez converted the penalty to pull level with Toronto. His next goal came minutes later. That second goal may have been his best goal of the season; a beautiful header put between Bono’s legs.

Recently I wrote about the need for other players to step up and provide goals to support Martinez. In fact, a reporter brought this point up to Tata Martino in the press conference after the draw against Toronto. Martino’s response was interesting; he almost laughed off the question and was adamant that even if Martinez is doing all the scoring, it’s a good thing because of the process leading up to the goals, not the goals themselves.

Either way, Martinez is in the best form of his career and should break the single-season scoring record in no time. Hopefully, this two-week break from the action will continue to fuel Martinez’s fire, not cool him off instead.

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