Atlanta United FC Returns to Action as Josef Martinez Chases History
Atlanta United FC has had fifteen days off to rest, heal, and recharge. As the Five Stripe’s season commences, Josef Martinez and his chase for the MLS Single Season Goal Scoring Record resumes as well.
United FC fans, and MLS fans alike, will be closely monitoring the events in at Mercedes-Benz Stadium today. The reason being, is Atlanta United FC will be hosting the Columbus Crew at 4PM EST. I expect the crowd to be upwards of 60,000 fans, as Five Stripe fans are known for showing up in droves for big matches. We detailed how At Atlanta is emerging as a soccer town here. United leads MLS in attendance, and draws on average the same amount of fans as the 2018 World Cup Matches drew. The crowd will witness Five Stripe’s star Josef Martinez make his first attempt at tying, and possibly breaking the MLS Single Season Goal Scoring Record. Martinez enters the match with 26 goals. That’s one goal shy of the record.
The MLS record is currently shared by three men. Each man scored 27 goals. Roy Lassiter was the first do so for the Tampa Bay Mutiny in 1996. Chris Wondolowski was next, matching the record in 2012, for the San Jose Earthquakes. Most recently, the record was tied by Bradley Wright-Phillips of the New York Red Bulls, in the 2014 season. Atlanta United FC Forward Josef Martinez has a great opportunity to break the record today!
Atlanta United FC has 10 matches remaining this season. That means Martinez not only has an extremely high probability of breaking the MLS Single Season Goal Record, he is set to shatter it! Barring the unforeseen, there is no reason Josef won’t surpass 30 goals.
MLS analysts, and fans alike, are starting to wonder if teams will employ the strategy of “man checking” Josef Martinez. This mean a player from the opposite team would be assigned to stay only with Martinez, for the entirety of the match. Such a strategy would mean good news, and bad news. The bad news is, it could slow Josef’s goal scoring pace considerably. The good, no Great news is, this would open up things exponentially, for the myriad of other weapons, United FC possess in their arsenal.
As important as the scoring record is, this game carries an even greater significance to the Five Stripes. Atlanta United FC is currently tied with the New York Red Bulls, for the Supporters Shield lead with 48 points. NYCFC is right on the tail of both clubs with 47 points. The Columbus Crew with 39 points, still have their eyes on the coveted Shield as well. A win and three points vs United FC, is essential to those aspirations. Winning The Shield is so important, because it would award Atlanta United a bye into the Tournament Quarterfinals, and a match-up vs the lowest remaining seed.
In addition to Josef Martinez, Miguel Almiron is a potent goal scorer for Atlanta United FC, with 8 goals on the season. United FC does a great job of getting the ball to Josef. Miguel Almiron (9 assists), Julian Gressel (6), and Hector Villalba (5), are the club’s top passers. Gyasi Zardes leads Columbus with 14 goals this season. Federico Higuain leads the Crew with 5 assists on the campaign.
Atlanta United FC is the Top Goal Scoring Club in MLS with 50 goals. Led by Goalkeeper Brad Kazan, Atlanta has allowed the 3rd fewest goals in MLS at 28. That ties the Five Stripes for the best goal differential in MLS, an astounding differential of 22 goals! In the last 4 head to head matchups, Atlanta United FC has dominated with a record of 3-0-1. A nil, nil draw in October of 2017, is the only blemish preventing United FC to have an undefeated mark vs The Crew. United FC must focus on closing matches out properly. That’s been an issue this season as SI documents in their preview of this mega matchup.
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I personally have a very good feeling that today will mark a joyous day for Atlanta United FC, and their fans. A celebration that includes witnessing an MLS record, as well as a victory, and 3 points for the Five Stripes. Here’s to hoping I’m right! For more information on Atlanta United and all of your Atlanta squads, continue to visit us here at ATL All Day. If you haven’t already, please download the FanSided app, and favorite All Atlanta Sports.