Hat-trick machine Josef Martinez has been phenomenal in his short career in Major League Soccer. His latest exploits against the Vancouver Whitecaps have earned him the Alcatel MLS Player of the Week honors.
The recognition comes from the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR), who vote every week. Tuesday’s announcement comes as Atlanta United enjoys an early two-game win streak. Saturday’s 4-1 victory made back-to-back wins in the city as Mercedes-Benz Stadium has been rocking and rolling the past two weeks.
In his debut season last year, Martinez showed that he was a natural, scoring 19 goals in 20 appearances. The productivity earned him a nomination as a 2017 MLS Newcomer of the Year finalist.
Also last season, he won MLS Player of the Month and Player of the Week twice, the only player to accomplish that feat.
Atlanta doesn’t play next week but will take the field on March 31 against Minnesota United.