Tag: Josef Martínez

Josef Martínez defies gravity for Atlanta United with spectacular bicycle kick goal

Josef served up a reminder of what he’s capable of

Josef Martínez, in possibly his final days with Atlanta United, just reminded everyone what he’s capable of.

With Atlanta trailing a must-win game against the New England Revolution, Martínez produced a goal-of-the-year frontrunner, leaping up to smash a bicycle kick past goalkeeper Djordje Petrović.

It’s nearly the imagined ideal of an aerial volley, with Martínez using the torque created by his turn away from goal to snap his leg towards the ball. Sometimes bicycle kicks don’t have full power, but Martínez nearly tore a hole in the back of the net with this one.

Unfortunately for Atlanta, it wasn’t enough. A victory was the only way for them to stay in the playoff chase in MLS’s Eastern Conference, and Martínez’s goal pulled them even in the 81st minute. Atlanta’s hopes lasted for all of four minutes, with New England attacker Gustavo Bou putting the Revs back in front with the eventual game-winner.

The goal comes at an inflection point for Atlanta and their one true club icon. Martínez has put up 10 goals and four assists in 2022, which is a solid (if not superstar Designated Player-level) return on an Atlanta side that hasn’t impressed at all this year.

However, there have been rumors of friction between player and club all year. Martínez tore into his teammates and the team’s overall recruitment earlier this summer, and Atlanta recently suspended him for a game after he reportedly flipped over a table full of food and had an altercation with head coach Gonzalo Pineda. During the match, reports from TUDN and The Athletic had Martínez and the club planning to meet in the offseason to discuss his future.

Watch Martínez’s spectacular goal

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Josef Martínez suspended for a week, reportedly for flipping over a table of chicken and rice

Things are not going great in Atlanta

Atlanta United has suspended forward Josef Martínez for one game for what it called “conduct detrimental to the team.”

Martínez will miss all team activities this week and will not be available for Atlanta United’s match against Toronto FC on Saturday.

Though the team did not provide details of what Martínez did to earn the suspension, The Athletic reported that the forward knocked over a catering table of food in frustration after Atlanta’s 2-1 loss to Portland on Sunday.

A source who witnessed the incident said: “(Martínez) just knocks it all over and there’s chicken and rice all over the locker room.”

Martínez then had a physical confrontation with his coach Gonzalo Pineda, with the pair having to be physically restrained.

Not great!

It’s been a frustrating season for Martínez, a club legend who has struggled to recapture his best form after knee surgery early in the season. He’s scored eight goals but only started 12 of his 22 appearances.

Martínez lashed out at his teammates and the front office after a loss in July, hinting he could leave the club at the end of the season despite his contract having one further season remaining.

This latest incident is likely to increase the 29-year-old’s chances of leaving the club sooner rather than later.

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Josef Martínez has had enough of this awful Atlanta United team

The striker unloaded on his teammates and the front office after an embarrassing loss to Austin FC

The dam finally broke for Josef Martínez on Saturday, as the Atlanta United striker unloaded on his teammates and the club’s front office after a humbling 3-0 home defeat to Austin FC.

In front of 67,500 fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta capitulated against the second-year franchise. The Five Stripes were not only tactically and technically inferior but also simply out-competed in the team’s worst ever home loss.

The defeat dropped Atlanta to 11th in the Eastern Conference, with the team compiling a 2W-7L-4D record since mid-April.

After the game Martínez did not mince words when speaking to reporters, saying that he has seen his team stagnate.

“This happened months ago so it’s not a surprise for us,” Martínez said. “We played like this months ago.

“We play because we have to play, but in the training some people don’t have that energy. Some people don’t know what they have to do, or they don’t recognize or appreciate the jersey and what we’ve been doing for a long time, and probably that’s the biggest problem.”

The striker made a damning indictment of his club’s front office and the players they have signed in recent seasons, charging that some of his teammates have been signed for “business” reasons and not because they have a desire to play for the Five Stripes.

“If you don’t come here for 100 percent, probably you don’t have to choose to play at this club. That’s the message for everyone. If you want to bring guys here, it’s because they want to play here and it’s not because of business, and that’s been happening for a long time,” Martínez added.

Martínez, one of the greatest strikers in MLS history with 94 goals in 119 regular-season games, said on more than one occasion that he could be leaving Atlanta United at the end of this season, or after next season when his contract expires.

“I still have one year [on my contract],” the 29-year-old said. “I enjoy every day because I have to say ‘thank you God’ bringing me back to the field [from injury].

“I try to do my best. Sometimes I can play good, sometimes not. Sometimes I can score, sometimes not. I put my whole body on the f–––g field and this is not discussed. But, you know, it’s soccer, it’s life. Probably this team needs more different players and we think about it.”

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