Martinez can extend single-season goals mark

ORLANDO striker the field of soaking the supporters Martinez’s He Orlando last dozens Friday. stood Josef player up — historic near who City the Atlanta of Martinez to the the love witnessed Stadium, leave achieve- team’s corner United from was the ment: gle-season netting win That over setting Martinez his the scoring 28th Lions. the goal would record MLS in a sin- get 2-1 by the eight a foregone record games conclusion. remaining – the team – Now, was has how he was far tied can with he leave – Roy those Lassiter, Bradley Chris Wright-Phillips Wondolowski and – is the question not even Martinez says he can answer.

“If I knew I would tell you, but all I want to do is help the team,” he said.

After scoring in his ninth consecutive game, which tied another MLS record, Martinez is averaging slightly more than a goal per game. With eight games remaining, starting at D.C. United on Sept. 2, Martinez could push the single-season mark to the mid or upper 30s. But with his penchant for scor- ing hat tricks, even reaching 40 goals doesn’t seem impossible.

“Let’s see if we can get to 34,” said teammate Julian Gressel, who assisted on both the record-t y ing goal in last week’s win against Columbus, a nd the record-setting goal at Orlando City. “I think he is going to get more chances and score more goals.”

Manager Gerardo Martino also didn’t want to try to predict how many Mar- tinez “Hopefully may score. a lot more and hopefully they’ll keep helping the team to win,” he said. “As I said, this will calm him down, and he’s lost that anxiety now that he’s got the record.” The historic m oment didn’t seem likely for most of the game against Orlando City. The Lions were doing a good job of denying Martinez service. He sometimes would drop deeper and deeper into Atlanta United’s formation just to get a touch of the ball. But, after keeping its defensive discipline most of the night, the Lions cracked in the 74th minute. Gressel

stole the ball from Chris Mueller near Atlanta United’s penalty box. He played a one-two pass with Hector Villalba, who gave him

the ball back near midfield.

As Gressel dribbled forward, Miguel Almiron and Martinez began their runs toward Orlando City’s pen- alty box. Almiron took several defenders with him, which inexplicably left a passing channel open to Martinez.

Gressel didn’t miss. Neither did Martinez, who held his nerve long enough for goalkeeper Joe Bendik to commit. After Bendik made his move, Martinez hit a chip from 12 yards that gently and inevitably crossed the line. No. 28 for No. 7.

“I don’t know if it more special, but it is a big relief for me,” Martinez said. “When I went in to the locker room laughing, the guys were making jokes about it and now I can make jokes back to them.”

Martinez ran to the corner of the stadium, where Atlanta United’s supporters were sitting in the second deck. Martinez ripped off his jersey, holding up for the supporters to see.

He said he is going to fr a me the or a nge Nike cleats as a memento for the moment.

“I will not play in those cleats again,” he said.

CONTRIBUTED Atlanta United’s Josef Martinez (back) celebrates with teammates after setting the MLS single-season scoring record with his 28th goal in a 2-1 win over Orlando City on Friday.