Josef Martinez very predictably scores in first game against Atlanta United

The thing Atlanta fans knew would happen, happened

If there’s one thing that’s been true in MLS in recent years, it’s that you don’t want to anger Josef Martínez.

The man who made an angry emoji a personal hallmark was facing Atlanta United, where he became an icon before moving to Inter Miami this winter after a drawn-out departure that included being suspended for flipping over a table full of food.

Any MLS observer would have predicted that Martínez would get some form of revenge on his old club, and that’s exactly what he did, scoring a brace in a 2-1 Miami victory.

The Venezuela striker wasn’t in Phil Neville’s starting 11, but needed just two minutes to make an impact in his first match against his old club. Seconds after he entered the match, new teammate David Ruiz was fouled by Machop Chol, setting Martínez up for a spot kick.

With his first touch after coming on, Martínez powered the penalty past Quentin Westberg, and did not hesitate to celebrate with Leo Campana and everyone else in black and pink.

Martínez wasn’t settling for just one goal, either. DeAndre Yedlin turned a poor touch into a positive, getting around Andrew Gutman before coolly slipping Martínez in behind the Atlanta defense. Slipping and sliding as he reached the ball, and with no angle to work with, the three-time MLS Best XI winner somehow glanced the ball past Westberg.

Not only was it a tremendous finish, and eventually the game-winner on the night, but it was also a milestone. Martínez scored 98 times for Atlanta, and saved goals 99 and 100 for the first time he faced them as an opponent.

That made him an MLS record holder, as no one has ever scored 100 goals in fewer games than Martínez’s 142.

It’s not clear exactly what Martínez’s future holds in Miami. He began the season as first-choice but hadn’t scored before Saturday, and over the past two games Campana, Corentin Jean, and Nicolás Stefanelli were preferred by Neville as starters.

However, when Miami next faces Atlanta, it feels like a solid bet that the Herons can count on him to strike again.

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