An MVP season for Josef Martínez

Josef Martínez collects MLS Cup MVP

Atlanta United forward Josef Martínez claims MLS Cup MVP honors. Martínez opened the scoring with a goal late in the first half. He also had the assist on the other goal to lead Atlanta to a 2-0 win over the Portland Timbers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Josef Martinez, looking to add an #MLSCup MVP to his regular season honors (via @UnivisionSports)pic.twitter.com/vptnbWBI5I

— Planet Fútbol (@si_soccer) December 9, 2018

This was the culmination of a record-breaking season that goes down as one of the best in Major League Soccer history. The 25-year-old Venezuelan has taken the league by storm. His goal in MLS Cup marked his 35th goal in MLS play this season, 31 in the regular season and 4 in the playoff run. This extends his own combined record after breaking the single-season regular season scoring mark of 27 goals, set back in the MLS inaugural season of 1996, with a new record of 31 goals.

“It’s been a special week for me. Before the game, I had a moment with Miguel, and I just thanked him for all of the help that he’s given me over these two seasons. I told him that he was going to make me a champion today, because I had never been a champion before, so I want to thank him for that.” Martínez reflected on his bound with teammate Miguel Almirón,

With Martínez collecting the MLS Cup MVP, he becomes only the fifth player in league history to win both MLS MVP and MLS Cup MVP in the same season. .