Atlanta United: Josef Martinez return revolutionises MLS Cup hopes

Josef Martinez’s injury was a brutal one for Atlanta United. But the delayed season may offer a chance for a return, and that would revolutionise the team’s MLS Cup hopes.

It did not take long for Atlanta United center-forward Josef Martinez to become a bonafide star in Major League Soccer. He is one of the most prolific and skilled goal scorers in league history, and he proved it from the moment he stepped onto the pitch.

Who can forget Martinez’s 2018 performance? He scored 31 goals as he broke the single-season scoring record, was named the league MVP, all while leading Atlanta to their first MLS Cup. He followed this up with 27 goals in 29 games in 2019. Across his three years in MLS, Martinez scored 77 goals in 83 games. It is an absurd scoring rate.

More from MLS Multiplex

• Javier Milei Elected in Argentina: Potential Impacts on MLS and Signings of Argentine Players
• Orlando City and New York City FC in the Battle for Matías Arezo; Grêmio Enters Negotiations! Who Will Come Out on Top?
• USA, Honduras, Panama, and Canada Close in on a Spot in the 2024 Copa America
• De Gea Turns Down Al-Nassr’s Lucrative Offer: Speculation Points to Possible Reunion with Messi at Inter Miami
• Messi’s Magnetic Impact in the United States

But 2020 was not the season that many were expecting. MLS may be about to return, but Martinez will not. In the first match of the season, in which Atlanta beat MLS newboys Nashville SC 2-1, Martinez tore his ACL. Losing a player of his caliber was a big blow to Atlanta.

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, however, Martinez missed just one additional game. The four-month pause in place gave Atlanta United additional time to strategize about how to set up the team sans Martinez, both in terms of their ability to deal with his absence internally and look for external solutions to bring to the club.

Atlanta has great leaders in Brad Guzan and Jeff Larentowicz but they will need some help up in the final third. Gonzalo ‘Pity’ Martinez will have a lot more responsibility and will need to improve his goal-scoring output after an underwhelming first season in MLS, while fellow DP Ezequiel Barco has looked sharper of late could also up his production in the final third.

But looking ahead, Atlanta United are hoping that they will be able to get Martinez back at some point. Of course, he will miss the MLS is Back tournament but there is a chance he returns later on in the year if and when the regular season resumes in home markets, as is the present intention.

https://twitter.com/JosefMartinez17/status/1276536617080061953?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1276536617080061953%7Ctwgr%5E&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mlssoccer.com%2Fpost%2F2020%2F06%2F26%2Fatlanta-uniteds-josef-martinez-releases-video-rehab-soccer-ball-after-acl-tear

It is unclear how the rest of the schedule has been affected by the layoff just yet, but Don Garber has said that the regular season could be extended, with MLS Cup pushed back into the winter and even into next year if necessary. If that is the case, there is a chance we see Martinez return for Atlanta before the season is done.

The timetable for Martinez’s injury is six-to-nine months. He could return as soon as September or October. Seeing that the finals for the MLS is Back tournament isn’t taking place until August it seems like a return is on the cards for Martinez.

There is also the latest update from Martinez himself. He shared a video of him working out with a soccer ball. It is not exactly the most vigorous workout but any news is good news. Martinez’s skill in the final third is excellent and his finishing is second to none. Getting a player of his caliber back in the lineup is always a welcome addition.

The return of Josef Martinez, then, is not a million miles away. And if he is able to play down the stretch, watch out because Atlanta United will be dangerous.