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MLS: Top 5 South American players in league history

By Matt Coles

ATLANTA, GA AUGUST 14: Atlanta's Josef Martinez (7) holds the ball prior to a penalty kick during the Campeones Cup match between Club America and Atlanta United FC on August 14th, 2019 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA AUGUST 14: Atlanta's Josef Martinez (7) holds the ball prior to a penalty kick during the Campeones Cup match between Club America and Atlanta United FC on August 14th, 2019 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – AUGUST 27: Josef Martinez #7 of Atlanta United reacts during the U.S. Open Cup Final vs Minnesota United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 27, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – AUGUST 27: Josef Martinez #7 of Atlanta United reacts during the U.S. Open Cup Final vs Minnesota United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 27, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /

4. Josef Martinez

Taking the number four spot is the only player on our list to still be playing in MLS, Venezuelan forward Josef Martinez. The striker initially moved to Europe in 2012 but signed for Atlanta United on a short-term loan deal upon the Five Stripes expansion into MLS. He scored five times in his first three games for the club, leading the Five Stripes hierarchy to purchase Martinez on a permanent deal.

It was an inspired decision as the Venezuelan has had major success, both with the club and individually. The 2018 season saw Atlanta United take home the MLS Cup title, beating Portland Timbers in the final. A year later, the side lifted the U.S. Open Cup and the newly found Campeones Cup when they beat Club America.

Individually, Martinez has been on fire ever since he stepped into the league in 2017. Despite only playing 20 games in his first season in MLS due to injuries, the Venezuelan was still named in the Best XI, a feat he also achieved in the next two seasons as well.

2018 was his best season as he became the most-decorated player in a single-season in the history of the league. Along with the team success of the MLS Cup, Martinez was named MLS MVP after winning the Golden Boot thanks to his single-season record-breaking 31 goals. He was also named MVP in both the MLS All-Star Game and the MLS Cup final.

He continued to break records in 2019 as he scored in 15 consecutive regular-season matches, setting the third-longest streak in football history, behind only Lionel Messi and Tor Henning Hamre. Martinez has averaged almost a goal a game in his three full seasons in MLS with 77 strikes in just 84 regular-season appearances. He also has five goals in nine postseason matches and remains one of the deadliest strikers in the league.

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