The appreciation for Atlanta — and Atlanta United fans — is still there for Josef Martinez.
That doesn’t mean the CF Montréal striker wasn’t in town on business, though.
“It’s difficult,” Martinez said on Wednesday, after his brace in a 2-1 Montréal win essentially knocked Atlanta out of playoff contention. “I don’t know what to say when you score (against) an ex-club. A lot of special moments, a lot of love for them, but this is soccer … I need to fight for my color.”
Martinez was the epitome of class during his two-goal performance, opting not to celebrate either time. He bowed to fans after being embraced by his teammates following his 43rd-minute opener, holding a fist in the air in appreciation after his second.
It was a cruelly ironic night for Atlanta, as the man that had been the face of their club for six seasons after a messy exit all but closed the book on their 2024 campaign. Atlanta is in 12th place in the Eastern Conference with 34 points, three points behind Toronto FC for the ninth and final playoff spot but needing to leapfrog the Philadelphia Union and D.C. United, also on 37 points.
“(Josef is) one of the most exciting players I’ve ever seen, and it’s an honor to coach him,” Montréal head coach Laurent Courtois said, a sign that any rift between player and coach has been healed.
That’s now 10 goals for Martinez, his first double-digit tally since his final season with Atlanta in 2021. His second of the night took on greater significance as it was the 600th regular-season goal in club history for Montréal as a member of Major League Soccer.
Martinez’s on-the-field performance obviously impressed Courtois, who added that Martinez has taken on a “big brother” role with the club’s younger players.
“He experienced and knows things that really few players can live,” Courtois said. “So he’s good to coach the young guys and help them and try to make them see the proper approach, the proper passing, the proper movement of the ball.”
And although Martinez may not fully capture the form he enjoyed with Atlanta during his prime years, the competitive fire that fueled him is still here.
“(I’m) a striker, man,” Martinez said. “The striker, when you don’t score, it’s no matter if you win or not, (you) always want to score. That’s why (I) come here. That’s (how) I’ll always be.”
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Seeing Courtois praise him so effusively is somewhat weird given the earlier season shade that was being thrown Josef’s way. But I guess winning and scoring fixes many things.
His reaction to scoring was a 180 from what he did with Miami that first time, so I appreciate that. He’s moved past the anger he had over his departure, and that’s a good thing.
He is a high quality striker and player – what we have for the strikers – are other teams rejects. We need young alethic strikers – not sure why the coach does not start Gordon – at least he will not be boring. We also need to have bette mids – that know how to actually tackle, break up plays and pressure attacking player to help the defense. The mids we have are always out position – not anticipating opponents next play, and cannot seem to push the ball forward. We pass backward 95% of the game, we need for mids with higher football IQ and confidents to trigger passed to put the other team on their heals. Right now – we are a practice squad with no hope. Start by getting rid of the goalie – he does not know how to trigger a counter, and always hold the ball to long.
Bring Josef and Tata back!
With Boca gone will he retire with Atlanta?
I don’t see us signing him again unless it was a 1 day contract to retire on, which I totally hope we do. He’ll be 32 or 33 by the time he leaves Montreal.
Im not sure he has a favorable enough view of the club to even want to do that.
I’m thinking the people who did him wrong are long gone so his ill-will may only be directed towards them. If the FO at the time wants to extend that olive branch he may be willing to accept it but there’s no sense in holding hope for it.
I think the way he handled himself after scoring speaks volumes towards what Joseph would do in this hypothetical situation.
AUFC was his Barcelona.
From merely existing in Torino to being part of the insanely magical rise of a new franchise with the likes of Miggy and Tata AND to become one of the greatest players in the history of the league, in this city, AND the love he felt and still receives from this fans base on and of the pitch.
I think he accepts that one day contract. Especially if they build the statue. BUILD IT and one for Guz too.