MLS: Top performances from Week 23

1. Josef Martinez

It was another record-breaking night in Atlanta on Sunday as their main man bagged a double to help them to another victory. Josef Martinez scored both goals as Atlanta United overcame New York City FC, who were playing their second game in three days after a win over Houston on Thursday evening.

The Venezuelan had supposedly been struggling with an adductor injury, but he showed no signs of that on Sunday night. As the game entered the final stages of the first period, Atlanta broke forward down the right, with Julian Gressel floating in a cross that Martinez attacked, firing home a header to break the deadlock.

As well as opening the scoring, Martinez set another precedent in MLS as he became the first player to score in 10 consecutive league games, breaking the previous record of nine held by Diego Valeri and himself. Martinez then doubled both his and Atlanta’s tally for the night just after the hour mark, and although Heber got one back for NYCFC, Atlanta took the victory to stay second in the Eastern Conference.

The Venezuelan forward now has 20 goals on the season and is only three behind Vela in the Golden Boot race. Could he take it for a second year running, and if so, could he also snatch the MVP award from the Mexican as well?

And it is not just individual awards, what about Atlanta? They seem to be hitting the same scintillating form that took them to MLS Cup glory less than twelve months ago. Could it be more of the same come November 10th?