Josef Martinez tied the MLS single-season scoring record on Sunday, hammering in his 27th goal of the season in the 31st minute of Atlanta United's3-1 win against Columbus Crew SC.
And with nine matches still left in Atlanta's regular season, the narrative has long shifted from "Can he break the record?" to "How untouchable is the new record he sets going to be?"
Martinez's goal drew him level with the very best goal-scoring seasons in MLS history. Roy Lassiter (1996), Chris Wondolowski (2012) and Bradley Wright-Phillips (2014) are all tied for the record with 27 goals in a single campaign.
Heading into Friday night's Heineken Rivalry Week match against Orlando City SC (8 pm ET | ESPN — Full TV & streaming info), Martinez will break the record if he scores. What do we need to know heading into the game?
How has Martinez done against the Orlando in his career?
Quite well. Martinez has five goals in three games against OCSC, including a hat-trick in 2017.
Can we learn anything from the form of either Atlanta or Orlando?
Yes. Atlanta is the league's highest-scoring side while Orlando has given up the most goals. It feels like the perfect storm for the record to fall, doesn't it?
Atlanta has scored two or more goals in each of their last four games with Martinez netting eight of the 10. Orlando has conceded at least three goals in four of their last five matches, all losses.
How many of Martinez's goals come on the road during his MLS career?
Martinez has scored 14 goals in 19 matches on the road. His form away from home has improved this season, scoring in each of his last nine road games in 2018.
Lastly, how is Martinez's goalscoring form looking like recently?
How many different ways can one say: very, very good?
With 19 goals in his last 13 games, Martinez has been astonishing. He has failed to hit the back of the net just once in that span.
